Were you hurt in a Lyft accident in Salinas, California? Mercado Kramer, LLP can help when you call (888) 311-4050. We offer a free consultation with a Salinas Lyft accident lawyer who can explain your rights and help you pursue the compensation you may deserve for your injuries and losses.
Taking on a rideshare company can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with medical bills and recovery. At Mercado Kramer, LLP, we’re here to guide you through every step of your case. Call today to set up your free case review and learn how we can help you move forward.
Why Victims of Lyft Car Accidents in Salinas, CA Trust Mercado Kramer, LLP
At Mercado Kramer, LLP, we’re proud to serve injury victims throughout Salinas, CA, and the surrounding Bay Area. Our team of trial-tested attorneys is committed to delivering results for those hurt due to others’ negligence.
Here’s why so many clients trust us after a serious accident:
- Our attorneys have over 18 years of combined experience litigating complex personal injury cases across California.
- We’ve gone head-to-head with large corporations and insurance companies—and won—ensuring our clients aren’t taken advantage of.
- Attorney Amanda Gladin-Kramer is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers.
- Our clients have left dozens of five-star reviews on Google, reflecting our dedication, responsiveness, and results.
If you need help, call today to schedule your free consultation with a Salinas personal injury attorney.
Can I Sue Lyft After a Rideshare Accident?
In most cases, you can’t sue Lyft directly after an accident. That’s because Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors—not employees. As a result, California law generally does not hold Lyft vicariously liable for its drivers’ negligence.
However, this doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Lyft is still required to carry insurance coverage that may apply after a crash.
What Insurance Does Lyft Provide?
Lyft’s insurance policies vary depending on the driver’s activity at the time of the accident:
- When the app is off: The driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
- When the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride:
Coverage includes up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. - When the driver has accepted a ride and is actively transporting a passenger:
Lyft provides a $1 million liability policy, which applies until the ride ends.
These are considered secondary policies. That means you typically must exhaust the driver’s personal insurance coverage before Lyft’s policy kicks in.
Who Can You Sue After a Lyft Accident?
Even if you can’t sue Lyft directly, you may still have a valid claim against others who contributed to the crash, such as:
- The Lyft driver
- Another driver involved in the accident
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer
- A government agency responsible for road maintenance
- A pedestrian or bicyclist, in some rare cases
Under California’s fault-based system, you can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider or pursue a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation.
What Compensation Can I Get After a Lyft Accident in Salinas?
Whether you go through insurance or file a personal injury lawsuit with the Monterey County court clerk, you can request compensatory damages for your Lyft accident injuries. Compensatory damages include two different types of awards: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are paid to help you cover the objective financial burdens you have because of your Lyft accident, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Disability
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Nursing care
- Funeral expenses if a Lyft accident is fatal
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are paid to acknowledge harder-to-value life changes and trauma you experience as the victim of a Lyft accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Embarrassment
- Chronic physical pain
- PTSD
The insurance companies from which you’re seeking benefits will work hard to downplay your injuries and minimize your damages.
You’ll be able to count on our California Lyft accident attorneys in Salinas to fight back against their tactics, stop them from controlling the claims process, and work hard to ensure that you’re awarded the full value of your Lyft accident case.
How Much Is My Salinas Lyft Accident Claim Worth?
It depends. Everyone who is involved in a Lyft accident will have a different experience. Factors that make your situation unique will impact the potential value of your legal claim for damages.
Your accident’s value can depend on:
- What types of injuries have you suffered?
- Were you a passenger in the Lyft, a pedestrian, or an occupant of another vehicle?
- Were you hospitalized?
- Will you suffer a permanent impairment or disability?
- How long will it take for you to recover?
- Have you missed time at work?
- Do you share responsibility for the Lyft accident?
- How old are you?
- What have you done to mitigate your damages?
More serious injuries tend to translate into more lucrative personal injury claims. However, never underestimate how much a moderate or minor injury can change your life and, in turn, help you recover damages in a Lyft accident claim.
What Causes Most Rideshare Accidents?
Like most other types of car accidents, Lyft accidents often occur due to careless behavior. Primary causes include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Tailgating
- Driver fatigue
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal turns
- Stopping improperly
- Braking errors
- Failing to signal before changing lanes or merging
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Failing to yield the right of way
Auto defects, road construction, and bad weather conditions can contribute to Lyft accidents, too.
Common Lyft Accident Injuries
At Mercado Kramer, LLP, our experienced legal team is ready to help you seek compensation for all of your Lyft accident injuries, including:
- Chest injuries
- Burn injuries
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Brain injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Paralysis injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Leg injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a family member
Be sure to report your Lyft accident in the app and to the local police. Then, seek prompt medical attention at the closest hospital before calling our Salinas Lyft accident attorneys to explore your legal options.
Can I Get Compensation if I’m Blamed for a Lyft Accident in California?
Yes, if you’re not solely responsible for the accident. California’s pure comparative negligence rule means that you can get compensation, but that your financial award will be reduced based on your role in the accident.
The more you’re to blame, the less compensation you can recover from a third party. Lyft’s insurance company won’t hesitate to blame you for the accident. Protect yourself from these claims by trusting our Lyft accident attorneys in Salinas, CA, to represent you.
How Much Does a Salinas Lyft Accident Attorney Cost?
We offer contingent legal representation, so there’s no cost to hire our personal injury law firm until we win compensation for your Lyft accident case. When we win, our attorney fees are deducted from the settlement or jury award we recover on your behalf. If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
What’s the Statute of Limitations on Lyft Accident Claims in California?
Unless an exception applies, you’ll have up to two years to file a Lyft accident claim after a crash in Salinas, CA. The statute of limitations typically expires on the second anniversary of your Lyft accident.
If your claim isn’t filed by then, you lose the ability to demand compensation from the negligent Lyft driver, Lyft’s insurance carrier, or another liable party.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Salinas Lyft Accident Lawyer
Contact the experienced and passionate legal team at Mercado Kramer, LLP if you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident in Salinas, CA. You should be compensated for your injuries if someone else is at fault. Our Salinas Lyft accident lawyers can help you make that a reality.
We’re top-rated litigators with a track record of success. We stand up to powerful insurance companies and demand justice for our clients. We’re ready to be your biggest advocate after a Lyft car accident, too. Contact our law office in Salinas to get started. There’s no charge for an initial case review.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Salinas, CA
450 Lincoln Ave Ste. 102, Salinas, CA 93901
(888) 311-4050
Open 24/7
