Lyft and other ridesharing companies have simplified transportation in Catahoula. However, these ridesharing vehicles are also prone to accidents, just like any other car on the road. An accident involving a ridesharing vehicle is usually complex, but a Catahoula Lyft accident lawyer will help you build a case and deal with all involved parties.
What Steps Should I Take After Getting Involved in a Lyft Accident?
If you were riding in a Lyft vehicle and had an accident, do the following:
1. Notify the Police
It is advisable to call the police following a Lyft accident, regardless of the severity of the injuries or damage. These law enforcers will compile an accident report that will come in handy when you file a claim against Lyft or the at-fault driver.
The police may also help you get fast medical assistance if there are serious injuries.
2. Document the Accident Scene
A detailed accident scene will help you build an effective claim. Take enough pictures from various angles and record a video if you can. You can also ask the shops around the accident scene to provide you with CCTV footage of when the accident happened.
3. Seek Medical Help
This is crucial despite how minor you feel your injuries are. Accidents are a wild card. They can cause superficial injuries visible to everybody as well as deep ones hidden in the body. Only a trained physician can detect the latter. Visit a doctor immediately following a Lyft accident. Not only will your injuries be treated, but the medical records will act as solid evidence for your claim.
4. Keep Financial Records
After a car accident, most people will rush to the hospital for treatment and repair shops to fix damaged items. This is necessary, but most people forget one essential step — to store documentation on financial costs and bills.
Store those medical records, prescription receipts, car repair bills, and more for your lawyer’s use. These things will help them negotiate the proper settlement for damages.
5. File a Claim
A Lyft accident can cause you physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering. Also, you may incur property damage that will cost you dearly to repair or replace. You deserve compensation for these damages, and you have two options when it comes to fighting for it.
First, you can sue the at-fault driver, Lyft, or another liable party. This can be draining, especially if the ridesharing company isn’t cooperative. The other option is to hire a Catahoula Lyft accident lawyer to help you build a strong case against the liable parties and take over the legal processes as you concentrate on recovery.
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How Long a Lyft Accident Claim Is Valid in Catahoula
Louisiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is one year (CC Art. 3492). This means you have one year from the time of the accident to file a legal case against the at-fault driver or Lyft. After the year elapses, the claim is invalid, and the court will not help you recover the compensation.
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Who Is Liable for My Injuries?
As a passenger riding in a Lyft car, you may get involved in a car accident through two scenarios. The first is that your Lyft driver may be carelessly driving and crash into another vehicle, building, or any other surface. The second is that another motorist may crash into your Lyft ride and cause injuries and property damage.
The at-fault driver or the ridesharing company is liable for your injuries in the first case. Lyft has a corporate liability policy to compensate you after getting hurt while using their services. The at-fault driver may also have personal liability coverage, in which case their insurance company will reimburse you.
In the second case, the third-party driver is liable for your injuries. They or their insurance company will compensate you for the injuries and damages.
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What About Compensation?
It is your legal right to be compensated for damages following a Lyft accident. These include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Diminishing ability to earn
- Loss of income
- Property damage
- Loss of association(consortium)
- Medical expenses
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How the Court Determines the Settlement
If your case proceeds to trial, the court will consider the following to determine the settlement:
- Comparative negligence on your part (if you were partly responsible for the accident or not)
- Physical, emotional, and mental suffering
- Current and future medical expenses
- Property damage repairs or replacements
- Loss of income
What Does a Lyft Accident Lawyer Do?
A Catahoula Lyft accident lawyer will take over your legal proceedings after the accident and help you with the following:
- Collect accident reports
- Obtain medical records
- Interview eyewitnesses and your physicians
- Collect and compile financial records and bills
- Calculate your pain, suffering, and damages
- Negotiate settlements
- Handle insurance companies and other liable parties
- Update you on the legal proceedings
What Does It Cost to Hire a Lyft Accident Lawyer?
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we charge our legal services on a contingency basis. This means you don’t pay any fees unless you win the case. We will only charge you a percentage of that money when you win a settlement.
Have You Helped Other Lyft Accident Victims in the Past?
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is one of the Lyft accident law firms in Louisiana available to you. We have helped hundreds of clients who have been injured while riding in Lyft and other ridesharing vehicles.
We have helped our clients recover over $600 million for damages and injuries. Call us today to schedule a free legal consultation with a Catahoula Lyft accident lawyer.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
