Lyft Accident Lawyer Woodland Hills, CA

Essential Tips After a Lyft Accident

Lyft has revolutionized the way residents and visitors in California rideshare and utilize public transportation. In a matter of seconds, you can whip out your phone, find a car, and book it. Unfortunately, while ridesharing services like Lyft can be extremely helpful to people every single day, you are just as likely to get into a car accident while you are a passenger in a Lyft as you are in any other car on the road. So, what do you do after you are an innocent bystander involved in a Lyft accident? Is it any different than being a passenger in a regular car accident? The answers to these questions are not always so straightforward.

A Lyft accident lawyer in Woodland Hills, CA offers the following overview. If you have been injured in a crash, contact Barry P. Goldberg, A Law Corporation to meet with a Woodland Hills, CA Lyft accident lawyer.

What You Should Always Do In an Accident

Regardless of what type of accident you are in — whether you were driving, you are a friend’s passenger, or you are riding in  a Lyft — there are always steps you should take after being involved in a car accident, including:

1. Check yourself for physical injuries. Once you have assessed your own well-being, check any other passenger and check your Lyft driver to see if they are okay. Noting injuries and physical pain is imperative after an accident.
2. Especially if the accident was bad, call 9-1-1. Emergency responders can attend to the scene if there are any injuries and a police officer can document the scene and detail a police report with necessary information.
3. Get everyone’s information. Make sure you have the name, phone number, insurance information, and license plate numbers of your Lyft driver and any other from the car accident. Your Woodland Hills, CA Lyft accident lawyer will be able to use this information to build your case if you are injured.
4. See if there were any witnesses and gather their contact information.
5. Call your insurance company to report the accident to them.
6. Seek medical help as soon as possible and encourage others involved in the accident to do so as well. Stress and shock can mask the pain of physical injuries.

What Are the Top Causes of Lyft Accidents?

One of the most common causes of Lyft accidents is distracted driving. Lyft drivers have to deal with several distractions while transporting passengers to their destinations. From scanning for passengers to looking at their GPS for directions, these distractions can force drivers to take their eyes off the road, resulting in accidents. Drivers may also chat with their passengers, which takes their concentration off the road.

Lyft accidents also frequently result from speeding. The more passengers Lyft drivers pick up, the more money they ultimately make. Some drivers may speed to get their passengers to their destinations faster, so they can go pick up more passengers. Unfortunately, speeding can lower their reaction times and make it more difficult to stop a vehicle in emergency situations.

As a Lyft accident law firm in Woodland Hills, CA can confirm, Lyft drivers also may suffer from fatigue, which contributes to accidents. These drivers are often on the road for long hours without breaks, which can make them very drowsy. This can cause them to lose focus on the road and even fall asleep behind the wheel.

The #1 Thing to Do After a Lyft Accident

In the event that you are in a Lyft vehicle collision, it is important to seek out medical attention before contacting a Lyft accident law firm Woodland Hills, CA residents trust. You should also contact your Lyft insurance provider and file a claim for the damages incurred. However, this is not all you need to do after an accident. There are many other steps you need to take immediately following a crash, including contact a lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry P. Goldberg:

• Obtain Information from the Driver: After the accident, get all the information you can about the Lyft driver, such as his or her full name, phone number, and insurance information. 

• Take Photos: If you’re physically able, take several photos of the accident scene. You’ll want clear shots of all the vehicles involved, skid marks on the road, and traffic signs.

• Get Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine after the Lyft accident, you should still go to the emergency room. Some injuries, like whiplash, don’t show immediate symptoms, and you don’t want to put your health in jeopardy. A doctor will evaluate your injuries and recommend the appropriate treatment.

• Hire a Lawyer: Lyft accident lawsuits can be even more complex than traditional car accidents, so it’s important to have an experienced lawyer from a car accident law firm in Woodland Hills, CA on your side. He or she will help you pursue a timely claim against the ridesharing company and protect your legal rights.

Anyone who has used the ride sharing service Lyft has experienced how convenient it is to hail a ride with your smartphone. Unfortunately, not every ride-sharing experience goes according to plan, and accidents can happen while using Lyft just as they can with taxi or limo services. If you were in an accident while using Lyft, you should contact a lawyer immediately to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Let’s take a look at some of the others steps you should take that have not been mentioned above yet, if you were injured in an accident while riding in one of Lyft’s cars or driving one yourself. If you are in need of immediate legal assistance, contact an attorney immediately.

What if I Can’t Find My Driver?

Lyft’s Driver Safety and Support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to any of your safety needs. If you need assistance or information about your driver after an incident or in case of an emergency, contact their team. Remember to share the details of your ride with the Lyft community by reporting it so other drivers know what happened. If you are still unable to get your driver’s information after contacting Lyft, then it’s time to contact a Woodland Hills Lyft accident law firm.

How Will My Lawyer Handle My Case?

The first thing your lawyer will do is investigate the scene and examine any evidence that may be found. This includes photographs of the scene, witness statements and police reports. Your lawyer will also question you extensively about what happened to determine who was at fault for the collision. Once he or she has all the information available, they will decide whether or not to pursue a lawsuit against the other driver. If they do so, then they will work with your insurance company on what they can offer as compensation in return for not taking legal action. However if it becomes apparent that your injuries are too severe for this to be an option then your lawyer may need to file a lawsuit on your behalf seeking financial compensation from the other driver’s insurance company based on their negligence in causing the collision.

Hiring A Lawyer After a Lyft Accident

If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The more information you can provide about the incident and the injuries sustained, the better able a lawyer will be to understand what happened and how they can help. Contact the Law Offices of Barry P. Goldberg which are a Woodland Hills Lyft accident law firm with lawyers standing by, ready to help.

How Are You Covered Under a Lyft Driver’s Insurance?

When you are making a claim against the Lyft driver involved in the accident, you can relax knowing that they do have a $1 million policy in place for just these occasions, but the amount of coverage you receive will depend on a variety of factors:

• If the driver did not have the Lyft app on while he or she was driving you around, you cannot make a claim with Lyft’s insurance policy (because Lyft views the driver as off-duty). Instead, you will need to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance policy.
• Your driver had their app on while they were giving you a ride. In this case, it is much easier to prove that the driver was working and that Lyft’s insurance policy should kick in.

How Do I Know I’m Making the Right Claim?

Lyft has very specific insurance policy requirements, and after your Lyft accident, it can be hard to determine how you should file a claim with them or if you should be filing your claim with the driver’s personal insurance. For more information on filing a personal injury claim with Lyft, speak to Lyft accident lawyer Woodland Hills, CA clients recommend from Barry P. Goldberg, A Law Corporation.

Types Of Lyft Injury Accident Cases We Handle

Our Woodland Hills, CA Lyft accident lawyer knows that rideshare services like Lyft have become a part of daily life for many people. While most rides go smoothly, accidents can and do happen. When someone is hurt while riding in, driving for, or being hit by a Lyft vehicle, the consequences can be serious. Injuries from these crashes may lead to hospital stays, missed work, and long-term pain. In some cases, the recovery process can take months or even years. At our firm, we help people recover fair compensation when they’ve been injured in rideshare-related accidents. Knowing your legal rights is the first step toward holding the right parties accountable. Our consultations are always free, so call us today.

Lacerations

Cuts caused by broken glass or sharp metal are common in car accidents. When passengers or drivers are hit or thrown during a crash, lacerations can occur on the back or limbs, sometimes requiring stitches or surgery to repair tissue damage.

Internal Injuries

Internal bleeding and damage to organs may not be obvious right away but our Woodland Hills Lyft accident lawyer knows they can be life-threatening. A Lyft crash with a strong impact can cause seat belts to compress the torso or cause passengers to strike hard surfaces, leading to trauma that affects the back or abdominal area.

Broken Bones

Fractures often occur when passengers are thrown forward or when part of the vehicle collapses in a high-speed crash. These injuries can affect the ribs, spine, or pelvis and frequently cause long-term issues with mobility or pain.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A sudden blow to the head from hitting a window, seat, or other object inside the car can lead to concussions or more serious brain damage. Traumatic brain injuries often affect balance, memory, and concentration, and may be accompanied by pain in the neck or upper back.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are common in car accidents due to the body’s sudden movement at the time of impact. Herniated discs, muscle strain, and spinal fractures can result in ongoing pain, limited range of motion, and even long-term disability.

Whiplash

This injury affects the neck and upper back and is usually the result of sudden forward and backward motion. Passengers and drivers alike may suffer whiplash after even minor crashes, with symptoms that can last for weeks or longer.

Psychological Trauma

Not all injuries are visible. Being involved in a Lyft crash, especially one with serious injuries, can lead to anxiety, sleep issues, or post-traumatic stress. These effects can interfere with work, relationships, and daily routines.

In each case, we work to understand how the accident happened and how it affected our client’s life. That includes reviewing rideshare company records, insurance policies, and any evidence available from the scene. When a Lyft ride leads to injury, it’s important to act quickly to protect your rights. At Barry P. Goldberg, we help people recover compensation after serious rideshare accidents. We believe in ethical and transparent representation for our clients. If you’ve been hurt as a Lyft passenger, driver, or pedestrian, our Woodland Hills Lyft accident lawyer can guide you through your legal options and build a claim that reflects your needs and losses.