How Does Lyft Operate?
Lyft was launched in 2012. The company is based out of San Francisco, California. Now, they operate in over 200 cities throughout the country and focus on providing an on-demand ridesharing network for short trips within larger cities. There are four ways to ride:
- The standard format is a personal ride that fits up to four passengers.
- Lyft Line matches riders with others who are going in the same direction to reduce costs.
- Lyft Plus seats up to six passengers.
- Lyft Premier is a high-end option for those who want a luxury car.
Drivers must meet certain requirements to work for Lyft. They must be 21 or older and own an iPhone or Android phone to run the app. When someone applies to be a driver, background and DMV checks are conducted. Car insurance and an in-state license plate are required. An applicant will be disqualified for violent crimes, drug-related convictions, sexual offenses, and felonies.
In addition to passing city and state requirements, the vehicles representing Lyft must pass a 19-point vehicle inspection. Drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles and keeping them safe and clean.
All Lyft drivers must have their own car insurance, but the company includes four other coverage types, including:
- Contingent Liability kicks in when a driver is waiting for a ride request while in driver mode.
- Primary Coverage Liability acts as the primary coverage from the time a driver accepts a ride until they drop the passengers off.
- Contingent Collision and Comprehensive Coverage cover physical damage to the driver’s vehicle.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist covers an accident up to $1 million in the event the other party’s insurance doesn’t cover what it needs to.
When you get in touch with a Lyft accident lawyer from our office, they’ll understand the company’s history and how it operates. This will ensure the base knowledge is there to build a strong case on your behalf.