The ride-share company Lyft is under fire for its handling of claims surrounding a fatal wreck in 2014 that left one man dead and seriously injured another.
A 24-year-old man died in the collision on I-80 in the westbound lanes in north Sacramento. The two men had attended a friend’s Halloween party and had arranged for a safe ride back home with Lyft when the accident occurred.
The California Highway Patrol determined that the Lyft driver got onto the interstate at approximately half-past 1 a.m on a rainy night. Shortly after they passed Riverside Avenue, the driver swerved to avoid a stalled car on the interstate, but lost control and struck two trees.
One man died at the scene; the surviving passenger and the Lfyt driver were treated at local hospitals for their injuries.
The passenger spent time recuperating in the hospital’s intensive care unit, racking up costly medical bills. His injuries precluded his working for nearly one year, meaning that his damages were approximately $100,000.
CHP found the Lyft driver to be at fault in the accident, although the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office ultimately rejected the idea of filing involuntary manslaughter charges.
The injured man denies that the ride-share company has paid a dime of his medical bills from the accident, despite their issuing this statement to a local media station:
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones involved in this tragedy. Lyft’s $1 million liability policy, which includes uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, is designed to provide coverage for Lyft drivers to protect passengers and third parties in accidents just like this one.”
In similar cases, it will likely be necessary to file litigation in order to recover expenses and see that civil justice, at least, is meted out.