Determining Fault in a Los Angeles Lyft Accident
For many Los Angelenos, ride-spring services like Lyft and Uber are an easy and reliable alternative for hundreds of thousands of commuters. With all the Lyft vehicles on the road, accidents involving Lyft passengers are on the rise. While determining fault in an auto accident case isn’t always as easy as it looks, one thing is for sure: the passenger is very rarely to blame.
Are Lyft Drivers Employees?
Under new legislation (AB5) in California, the answer to that question is somewhat unclear. In the past, Lyft drivers have been classified as independent contractors and not employees. However, they are driving while under the Lyft umbrella, creating potential liability.
Fault Could Rest with the Lyft Driver or Another Party
The car accident could be the fault of the Lyft driver or even another car / driver. The liable parties could share some amount of responsibility for the accident. In addition to reporting the accident to Lyft, you need to call the police to complete a report about the accident. The responding officer will take a report and help you get the insurance information of the driver(s). You should report the accident to the insurance companies as well.
Insurance Companies Don’t Always Play Fair
Like any car accident, Los Angeles Lyft accidents can cause a range of injuries, ranging from minor or short term ones (like a sprained wrist), to longer term injuries that require intensive medical car e(such as a traumatic brain injury or TBI). You may also be forced to take time off from work. While the purpose of insurance is to compensate you for your losses and for what happened to you, insurance companies exist to make a profit. When it comes to paying out on claims, they may not want to pay you what your claim is worth. Don’t sign anything without first talking to an experienced lawyer who has a track record of successfully handling Lyft accidents.
For a free, no obligation consultation about your Lyft car accident case, contact the experienced accident lawyers at Ghozland Law Firm today.
