If you’ve been involved in a Lyft vehicle accident in the United States, always seek medical attention. Your best next step is to hire a Lyft accident lawyer — someone who knows the system and who can help protect your legal rights while seeking the compensation you deserve.
Taking on a rideshare company on your own can be challenging, so reach out to the Lyft accident attorneys at CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm.
With years of experience under their belt, they’ll be able to review, access, and use the unique laws governing ridesharing companies to your advantage; while carefully explaining them to you.
We can also help guide you through the process of filing your actual claim while providing sound advice and suggestions along the way. Best of all, if your case gets brought to court, they can fight on your behalf to ensure your claim gets the fighting chance it deserves.
Schedule a free, no-obligation case review today by completing the contact form on this page. An experienced Lyft accident attorney will reach out to go over all the facts from your case and help you begin pursuing damages from all at-fault parties.
How Can I Choose the Right Lyft Accident Attorney?
Choosing the right Lyft accident lawyer can mean the difference between winning your case and coming away empty-handed. It’s important that you take the time to do your research and choose an attorney who has experience with cases against rideshare services like Lyft.
Here are some of the characteristics you can count on when working with the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm:
- Experience: An experienced attorney is key when it comes to fighting against large corporations, as only they will know how to navigate the legal system and be able to fight for you with confidence. As an added bonus, the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Firm’s team also has plenty of experience specifically with rideshare cases, and so we understand the complexities involved in these types of cases.
- Expertise: A qualified lawyer will have a strong background in personal injury law and should have legal knowledge in the area of rideshare and Lyft accidents specifically. The team should also have the resources necessary for researching a case and securing expert witnesses, if necessary.
- Dedication: Your Lyft accident lawyer should be passionate about helping you get the compensation you need while being dedicated to managing your case from start to finish. They should also provide clear communication throughout the entire process, from initial consultation to final resolution.
How Can a Lyft Accident Lawyer Help Me?
While it may be intimidating to commit to a lawyer, navigating federal, state, and local regulations on your own will be an uphill battle.
In Georgia, for instance, the modified comparative fault system allows for plaintiffs to still receive compensation for damages even if their negligence is partly responsible for the accident.
In to be awarded compensation for damages, however, negligence must not exceed 50% of the total fault for the incident. As such, being represented by someone who understands this process is critical if you want a successful outcome from your Lyft accident case.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Involved in an Accident With a Lyft Driver?
If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a Lyft driver, you should be aware of the legal landscape you’re operating in. The law can be complex when it comes to incidents with ride-sharing services and often varies from state to state.
Of course, our advice is to contact a Lyft accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. After that, they’ll work with you to file a claim with the rideshare driver’s insurance company. If that particular driver’s policy is not enough, you will have to file a claim with Lyft.
The claim you file – and the damages you’re entitled to – will vary depending on how the driver was using Lyft at the time. For example, drivers who were logged into the app and actively completing a drive will be entitled to different insurance coverage than a driver who was on their way to pick up a passenger.
If you file the claim on your own, you may be awarded the smallest amount in damages for either situation or have your case dismissed altogether if you have not secured the proper documentation (i.e., a police report) or evidence.
Does Lyft Provide Insurance for Accidents?
Lyft covers excess liability for all of its drivers currently logged into the app, albeit in varying amounts depending on whether or not they have currently accepted a trip or have paying passengers in their car.
Up to $1,000,000 in coverage is available when the driver is either en route to a pickup or currently carrying passengers. This coverage is only provided when the driver has state-mandated insurance, however, so complications can arise.
Drivers logged into the app and not currently accepting a trip may not have the coverage available, but this may vary. Talk to an attorney about your situation to determine what forms of insurance and liability coverage may be available, including from third-party sources.
What Are Some Common Causes of Lyft Accidents?
These days, many states are continuing to see the number of car accidents involving ride-sharing vehicles increase year over year. Often, some of the most common causes of Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Just like any kind of car accident, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of Lyft accidents. Factors can include texting while driving, talking to passengers, and, most commonly, fiddling with the app while behind the wheel.
- Accidents Due to Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Poor vehicle maintenance can also cause accidents. If the driver’s vehicle is not properly maintained or if it contains defective parts such as tires or brakes, the driver can be held accountable.
- Poor Road Conditions: Poor road conditions can contribute to a Lyft accident. When roads haven’t been properly maintained, and there are potholes or other hazards on the road that weren’t marked by safety officials, an accident may undoubtedly occur.
- Dangerous and Unqualified Drivers: Companies like Lyft have an obligation to ensure that any drivers using their platform are safe and qualified. By accepting a driver who has a history of DUIs, serious accidents, or major moving violations, they put passengers and others on the road at unreasonable risk.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Lyft Accident Case?
When your attorney starts to look into who can be held responsible for your accident, they will begin by researching all of the parties involved in the accident, such as other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists. They may need additional evidence to identify the liable party, such as driver logs, dashcam footage, or eyewitness interviews. Through their experience with handling rideshare companies, they’ll often be able to request this evidence more easily than you would be able to on your own.
At the end of the day, your lawyer’s ultimate goal is to establish who is responsible for the accident. Depending on the circumstances of your case, potential parties who can be held liable may include:
- Lyft and its drivers
- Negligent third parties, e.g., other drivers who caused or contributed to the accident
- The local government if the road design or inadequate signage played a role
- Defective car parts manufacturers when a faulty part was involved in causing the accident
Some cases may involve multiple liable parties, which is one of the reasons it is essential to begin exploring your options and investigating the causes of your accidents as soon as possible.
A Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help With Other Harms Caused by Lyft Drivers
Beyond accidents, there are a multitude of other situations you can bring to a Lyft Accident Lawyer to build a case around, such as incidents where a driver stalked or sexually assaulted a passenger. In some cases, these actions are considered grounds for criminal charges.
Your Lyft Accident Lawyer can also help with:
- Cases of driver negligence leading to accidents, such as speeding or erratic driving which caused an accident
- Injury claims related to inadequate safety procedures, such as lack of seatbelts or failure to equip drivers with safety and navigation equipment
- Discrimination cases, such as refusal to pick up passengers due to their race, ethnicity or sexual orientation
- Breach of contract cases when the driver fails to perform per the terms agreed upon in the contract.
Having an experienced Lyft Accident Lawyer on your side will ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
What Damages May I Be Entitled to in a Lyft Accident Case?
When you are the victim of a Lyft accident, you may face stressful medical bills, and incur expenses due to lost wages and other issues related to the accident.
When it comes to damages, there are two types: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages refer to any monetary losses you have experienced due to the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages relate more to intangible losses that cannot be quantified in a monetary manner, such as pain and suffering.
By understanding both economic and non-economic damages as well as the different dollar amounts offered by Lyft in the case of an accident, victims can make a more informed decision when considering their legal options.
With this information in hand, you can make sure that you fully understand your rights before proceeding.
When Should I Reach Out to a Lyft Accident Law Firm?
If you have been in an accident while operating or riding in a Lyft vehicle, it’s important to take action right away. It’s likely that you have been hurt and need compensation to cover your medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.
However, the process of claiming compensation can be complicated and navigating the legal system can be intimidating. Thankfully, a Lyft accident attorney can help make the process easier by:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence of fault
- Determining which parties are liable for any losses or damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf to secure maximum compensation
- Filing claims and lawsuits as needed to pursue compensation from all relevant parties
- Representing you in court proceedings if necessary
By reaching out for legal help following a Lyft accident, you give yourself the best chance of recovering financially from the accident and getting back on your feet as quickly as possible.
Talk to an Attorney Who Can Help After Your Lyft Crash
Ali Awad, the CEO Lawyer, has handled many rideshare accident cases, as has his valued legal team. We will provide you with an attorney experienced in this area of law and prepared to handle the common tactics big companies like Lyft will throw your way.
It is common for companies like Lyft to try to pressure rideshare injury victims into signing a settlement or otherwise waiving their right to pursue an injury claim. They may also refuse to turn over evidence or try to allege that the driver was wholly at-fault, even when on duty.
Tactics like these are meant to discourage injured parties from pursuing justice, helping the company save a dime by leaving the people they hurt in the lurch. We won’t stand for such injustices, and so we are here prepared to defend your legal rights.
Don’t assume rideshare companies or insurers are going to make things right or look after your legal rights. Reach out to an experienced Lyft accident lawyer in your area today when you complete the contact form on this page.
Your first case review is always free and confidential. Call us today at (833)254-2923.