Fatal Accident Tests Lyft’s $1 Million Insurance Policy
by Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle
A fatal accident near Sacramento this weekend could illuminate the effectiveness of ride-service Lyft’s insurance policies.
Shane Holland, 24, a resident of West Sacramento (Yolo County) returning home from a Halloween party in a Lyft vehicle was killed early Saturday in a crash on Interstate 80 in heavy rain. The driver and another passenger suffered moderate injuries.
It was the first fatal crash in the history of the 2½-year-old San Francisco company, which lets passengers use a smartphone app to summon paid rides by “community drivers” in their personal cars.
Lyft, as well as rivals Uber and Sidecar, have come under intense scrutiny over whether their insurance coverage is adequate, as it varies depending on whether a driver has been “matched” with a passenger.
The accident involved several cars, which means it could take weeks or months to determine who was at fault, said Chad Hertzell, a California Highway Patrol officer.
Tags: Lyft, Sharecropper Economy, Transportation Network Companies