Santa Rosa residents like to have options just like anyone else. Don’t feel like driving today? Why not request a Lyft ride. Don’t feel like paying high insurance premiums and car tax and title fees? Let Lyft do the driving.
Lyft and other rideshares can be a great convenience, and they can also be a lifesaver for some people unable to get to medical appointments or a job interview any other way.
The downside to all those options is the escalating traffic on the roads and the sometimes distracted drivers trying to work from behind the wheel. Bicyclists already risk their safety with the passing of each careless driver, but someone working for Lyft can only add to the chances of a rider getting hit.
Support for Santa Rosa Bicyclists in Lyft Accidents
At Bay Area Bicycle Law we work hard to support and protect cyclists when they are hurt because of a mistake by a careless driver. You could be hit and soon find out you’re facing a long recovery. You may feel completely alone as you heal and wonder if at-fault drivers and the companies they work for can be made to pay for all the suffering that results from a bicycle accident.
The answer is yes. Our attorneys are cyclists themselves and we want to make sure you don’t get stuck with the financial burden of an accident that wasn’t your fault. Your focus should be on healing so that you can get back on your bike as soon as possible.
Lyft Driver Dangers In Santa Rosa
It’s a common fear that many cyclists have watched play out in real life. A distracted driver doesn’t check mirrors or glance over at blindspots and suddenly swerves into a lane occupied by a bicycle.
Drivers may say bicycles aren’t big enough to spot on the road, but what they really mean is they won’t take the time for a proper check-in every direction to show concern for a defenseless rider.
That’s the problem with rideshare drivers. Their jobs are the distraction and any ride request on their phone is another reason to not properly monitor the road. A Lyft driver can be hunting for an address, speeding to make a deadline for a passenger, or just tired from a lack of sleep.
It can all lead to a dangerous situation for a cyclist who may be traveling nearby.
Common Injuries Seen In Bicycle Accidents
The actions you take after you’re injured in a cycling collision can determine your quality of life for years to come.
The results of any physical interaction with a vehicle can be devastating for an unprotected rider. The injuries can be so severe that it’s key to make sure your claim for damages against the driver to blame is handled correctly. Whether that involves the at-fault driver’s insurance paying the bills or calling on Lyft’s own insurance coverage for help.
Compensation from an insurance company’s first offer may cover hospital bills already piled up, but what about the future costs of rehabilitation or the possibility of a corrective surgery a year from now? All of these things need to be taken into account when determining what’s fair compensation for an injured cyclist.
These are just some of the common injuries emergency room doctors see after bicycle accidents:
- Road Rash – The skin damage and scars caused by sliding along a road or sidewalk surface.
- Facial and Dental Injury – Cyclists who end up knocked several feet away from their bike can land on their face and break facial bones and chip teeth.
- Brain Injury – Impacts often cause traumatic brain injury (TBI). Anything from a mild concussion to permanent brain damage can result.
- Amputation – Limbs and digits can be crushed and may need to be surgically removed. This can lead to costs for an artificial limb and even make it necessary for a victim to change careers.
- Paralysis – An accident may result in a loss of control of parts of the upper and lower body.
- Bone Fractures – Bones in the neck, torso, shoulders, and up and down the arms often fracture in cycling accidents. Spinal cord and skull fractures can also occur.
Lyft Insurance Coverage In Bicycle Accidents
When a collision caused by a Lyft driver occurs injury victims will first file a claim against the driver’s own insurance policy. If the insurance company accepts the claim, the injured cyclist can expect to be compensated for physical, emotional, and financial damages. Unfortunately, some insurance companies won’t cover drivers when they find out they were working for Lyft when the crash occurred.
Lyft does offer collision insurance protection in cases where a driver’s own policy refuses to cover damages or doesn’t pay enough compensation. The Lyft driver must have been logged into the app at the time of the accident (on-the-clock) for Lyft coverage to apply.
Lyft offers up to $100,000 total injury liability per accident if a driver doesn’t have a customer but is seeking a ride request. Then, from the time a driver has accepted a ride request to the time the passenger is dropped off, accident victims are protected by up to one million dollars in liability insurance.
Unfortunately, in cases where coverage is denied by both Lyft and the driver’s personal insurance, the bicycle accident victim may have to resort to an uninsured/underinsured claim on their own car insurance.
Contact a Santa Rosa Bicycle Accident Attorney
In any of these situations, an experienced bicycle accident attorney can help victims gain maximum compensation for their injuries and recovery. If that means taking a company like Lyft to court or holding the driver’s insurance company liable or even making sure your own insurance agent takes your claim seriously, our attorneys stand ready to assist you.
Bay Area Bicycle Law is the only personal injury law firm in Northern California to specialize exclusively in representing injured cyclists. Our goal is to get you back on your bicycle as soon as possible. Contact us today for a free consultation. California cyclists who are injured by negligent drivers are entitled to a wide array of compensation. We will always offer you legal advice which is in your best interest.