Ridesharing companies, like Lyft, have made getting to your next destination easy. Using a Lyft or another kind of rideshare can quickly take a turn for the worse when they are part of a car accident. Car accidents are terrifying, and are made worse when you are not the driver but a passenger in a car with someone you do not even know.
To complicate matters even more, Lyft and similar companies are not always forthcoming in compensating their passengers after an incident. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, you can expect that we will guide you along the way with sound legal advice and suggestions to support your claim.
Work with a legal team who is ready to fight for you. Schedule your free and no-obligation consultation with CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today using the contact form on this page. An experienced Atlanta Lyft accident lawyer will reach out to you to speak about your incident and help you determine what types of compensation you may be owed.
How the Right Atlanta Lyft Accident Attorney Can Help
How the Right Atlanta Lyft Accident Attorney Can HelpDealing with a rideshare accident can lead to serious complications, so it is no surprise that when choosing to file a claim, not just any attorney will do. In fact, victims of Lyft accidents can find themselves at a significant financial loss if they choose the wrong legal team to handle their case.
Lyft accidents are under the umbrella of rideshare accidents. These companies are notorious for fighting tooth and nail before paying victims compensation for their injuries. They initially claimed that they were not responsible for accidents in any way, since they allegedly just provide “technology” and not transportation. Courts saw things differently, and after a series of case rulings and state law changes, Lyft and other rideshare platform providers now offer insurance to their drivers.
Ridesharing accidents, including Lyft’s, have presented a serious concern to many states. With more cars on the road, there are increased chances that one will be in an accident.
The University of Chicago reported a 3% increase in car accident fatalities in 2019 linked to ridesharing drivers across the U.S.
Passengers who are injured in ridesharing, and more specifically, a Lyft accident, should seek a lawyer to assist them. When evaluating any attorney, make sure to look at their:
- Experience with cases similar to yours
- Experience, as demonstrated by specific knowledge as well as a history of successes
- Dedication, indicated by a willingness to listen and work closely with you while pursuing every viable option for retrieving the compensation you need
These three characteristics can be what makes or breaks your case. You want someone who has successfully handled similar cases in the past and has a clear understanding of navigating the legal system. Your Atlanta personal injury lawyer should not be scared to go back and forth with these large ridesharing companies or go to court on your behalf and fight for you.
Tips On What To Do If You Are In a Lyft Accident From the CEO Lawyer
Car accidents can be a frightening and confusing experience, and they are the second most common cause of personal injury in Georgia.
Especially when involved in a Lyft accident, the steps to take following the incident might not be as simple as one would think. In many cases, drivers have tried to pay off a rider or even try to get them to admit fault for causing the accident, so that they can get out of it scotch-free.
In cases of an accident, passengers should know what to do. Collecting all evidence indicating fault is paramount before leaving the scene. Passengers should also:
Not Accept Any Form of Compensation From Your Driver
Rideshare drivers, including Lyft drivers, are considered independent contractors. While Lyft will carry additional insurance as required by law, their drivers also must carry their own insurance. Accepting payment is not only illegal but will compromise your ability to receive additional compensation.
Have the Driver Pull Over at the Scene of the Accident and Call 911
As per Georgia law, all vehicles involved in an accident must stop at the scene so that injuries can be addressed and damages can be documented by the police. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it also allows the injured to receive medical attention for their sustained injuries and for police to investigate and write a police report.
At the scene, you should look for any visible and immediate injuries, call 911 and request police and an ambulance if anyone is seriously hurt.
Do Not Admit Fault
Whatever you do, do not appear to accept fault for an accident. Rideshare drivers must always be proactively aware of the road and do what they can to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Rideshare drivers have the right to record, and anything said can be used against a passenger to release drivers from liability or drastically reduce the amount they are entitled to.
Document the Scene
All involved in a car accident should document damages by taking photos and video recordings of the scene. Document both cars, damages to personal property, and any injuries you may have sustained. If possible, record the driver to document their behavior and if they request to pay you off. Paying off another party in an accident is illegal.
Talk to the Police, and State the Facts
Passengers, just like the driver and the other party involved, are all witnesses to the accident. When talking to the police, tell them what you know and be as detailed as possible about the accident.
File a Claim Through Lyft
Passengers must file a claim through Lyft. An experienced Atlanta Lyft accident lawyer can help collect all documents required to formalize a claim. All rideshare companies, including Lyft, must carry additional insurance covering their drivers in an accident.
Coverage of Lyft’s insurance can vary depending on where on the cycle the driver and passengers were at the time of the accident. Usually, while passengers are onboard and there is a car accident, available liability insurance coverage increases significantly to $1 million.
While this sounds like a lot of money, victims should understand that this amount also applies to the other injured passengers and can quickly be spent if one does not act quickly.
All injured passengers are encouraged to speak to an attorney as soon as possible before filing a claim. If you file a claim on your own through Lyft, chances are that you may be awarded a small amount in damages for your situation or, worse, have your case dismissed altogether. Call the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, for a consultation to determine whether you have a case.
Find more information regarding Lyft’s insurance policy directly on their website.
What Are the Common Causes of Lyft Accidents?
Similar to normal car accidents, ridesharing accidents can be caused by distracted driving, like engaging in a lot of conversation or cell phone use; speeding and reckless driving; lack of vehicular maintenance; poor road conditions; and switching to “auto-pilot,” which is when one zones out while driving to a destination.
Who Can Be Liable During an Accident?
Liability can vary depending on the circumstances of any given accident. For example, a poorly kept road may have many potholes that pop tires and cause collisions. In these cases, and depending on other factors, the two drivers involved may not be the only parties involved in a case. The local government agency that is responsible for road maintenance will also be responsible for their negligence.
Liable parties can be:
- Rideshare companies
- Rideshare drivers
- Passengers taking a ride on a rideshare
- The driver of another car
- Governmental agencies
Each case is different in that circumstances can involve more than two parties. Speaking with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney can be a wise decision, as cases involving multiple parties come with complex timelines and other complications.
Possible Compensation Available When In a Lyft Accident
Lyft accidents can result in a lot of damage depending on the severity of the crash. Many states, including Georgia, passed legislation requiring ridesharing companies to insure their drivers and provide additional insurance coverage in cases of an accident. This new law was intended to help passengers secure compensation when their driver’s insurance policies did not cover enough.
Additionally, and foremost, all drivers must maintain these types of coverage in their personal insurance policies at any given time:
- Liability coverage
- Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Personal Injury Protection Coverage
- Medical Payments Coverage
Ultimately, all drivers, no matter what vehicle they are driving or if they are offering ridesharing services, must be insured at all times.
Passengers are entitled to file a claim against the rideshare driver and company requesting compensation for the following:
Accrued Medical Bills
Even though a case might still be ongoing, it does not mean the injured must hold off on receiving medical care. Bills can accumulate quickly and can be anything related to receiving medical attention after the incident or recovering from injuries. This can be an ambulance ride, medication, physical therapy sessions, hospital bills, etc. It will not take long before collections start calling to receive compensation for medical bills.
Unfortunately, these can pile up quickly, and the injured are usually asked to speak to their lawyer before filing a claim against their own insurance or paying out of pocket.
Future Medical Expenses
Not all injuries sustained during a car accident are simple ones. Especially in severe car crashes, those sitting in the passenger seats can find themselves hitting their heads and extremities, breaking bones, damaging internal organs, receiving nervous system damage, or facing long-term chronic pain. These injuries can require future surgeries and treatments to address and ease their pain.
Recovering from some injuries can take a really long time. Especially if those injuries are broken bones or newly acquired disabilities, it can take multiple surgeries and therapy sessions in the future to recover. This expense is calculated by an attorney and will become part of the injured’s claim.
Any Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Sometimes, the passenger must pay out of pocket to receive necessary medical care. This can come from over-the-counter pain relievers, copays, medical equipment and transportation to receive medical care. Passengers should retain any records of these expenses through receipts, as they are part of their claim.
Lost Wages and Hours Worked
Injured passengers will need to take time off work to heal and attend their medical appointments. Unfortunately, not everyone can take additional time off and still receive their normal pay. In these cases, they are obligated to take unpaid time off, which can lead to significant financial losses for them and their families.
Sustained injuries can also prevent one from completing their job properly or prevent them from receiving future promotions in their profession. While these damages are not happening in the present day, they have value and should be included in a claim if it applies.
Property Damage
In accidents, personal property can also be damaged. Think of ruined clothes because they are ripped or need to be cut to provide medical care by EMTs. Cell phone screens can crack or completely break because of the impact. These items all have value and are claimable damages. Especially when one is facing damage to their tech accessories, they can be costly to replace.
Pain and Suffering
Car accidents take a mental toll on victims. In many cases, they need to attend therapy appointments and may find that they have PTSD or other forms of trauma associated with their injuries. But, especially in cases where the injuries are so severe that they are life-altering, the mental toll is not the only form of damage they will need to claim. Accidents — even a fender bender — can lead to physical pain that is experienced over a very long time, if not for the rest of the victim’s life.
Punitive Damages
In cases of gross negligence and recklessness, punitive damages can be claimed. Not all cases will involve this, but punitive damages may be claimed if there is evidence of extreme negligence and the case proceeds to a lawsuit and jury trial. There are no caps placed for punitive damages associated with car accidents.
Call Our Experienced Atlanta Lyft Accident Law Firm Today
You don’t have to face filing a claim against Lyft alone. Ali Awad, the CEO lawyer, has helped many resolve their ridesharing accident cases with positive results. With an experienced and highly-regarded legal team, we are prepared to take on your case and handle common tactics that large ridesharing companies like Lyft throw at their injured passengers.
It is not a surprise that these large ridesharing companies try to pressure passengers to settle for less or waive their rights to file a claim. They are known for refusing to admit accountability by withholding evidence, pressuring passengers to admit fault, and offering too low settlements that do not remotely cover treatments for injuries sustained due to an accident involving one of their drivers.
Rest assured that while we cannot expect ridesharing companies to do what is right, the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, is here to help you receive compensation for your sustained injuries. Reach out to us today and schedule your free consultation by completing our online contact form.
