When requesting a ride through the Lyft app, you’re placing your safety in the hands of a perfect stranger whose driving abilities haven’t been vetted by the state. The Lyft company driving standards are not high, and not all drivers-for-hire are safe drivers.
If you or a loved one is a victim of a Lyft rideshare accident, speak with a Fort Polk Lyft accident lawyer. They can make sure your rights are protected while seeking compensation for physical injuries and property damage.
Understanding Lyft Accident Liability
When a Lyft driver has an accident with passengers in the vehicle, they could be responsible for any injuries those passengers experience. But is Lyft also responsible? What if another driver was involved? Trying to figure out who is responsible for compensating you for your pain and suffering can be difficult—and we haven’t even gotten to those medical bills.
Insurance from Lyft
Rideshare companies like Lyft are required to carry insurance. If the Lyft driver is in “driver mode” when a car accident takes place and a passenger gets injured, Lyft liability insurance is in place. The maximum payout for any injured party by Lyft is $1 million. But is it enough?
That sounds like a lot of money, but what if you end up with a permanent disability? It may not be enough to cover your expenses in the long term. Can you seek compensation from the Lyft driver’s personal car insurance policy or from the at-fault motorist who caused the accident in severe cases like this?
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientWe Can Help You Handle the Insurance Company
When a Lyft driver is in a car accident while they have a passenger, the driver must call the Lyft company’s emergency phone number to report the accident. At some point, you could be contacted by the company’s Trust and Safety Team. If at any time you’re asked to give a recorded statement by this team or by a representative from Lyft’s insurance company, it’s okay to say no.
If you are injured, Lyft’s Trust and Safety Team or Lyft’s insurance company may use tactics against you to get you to say something they can use against you later on. Remember, their goal is to reduce the amount of compensation they pay out.
Don’t Give a Statement to the Insurance Company
One of the tactics is to get you to say you might be partially at fault. The state of Louisiana is a “comparative fault” state. This means that if it’s determined that any part of the accident was your fault, your compensation could be reduced by that percentage amount. But you shouldn’t have to take any responsibility for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Some insurance company representatives will even resort to using bullying tactics to get you to agree to give a recorded statement. They might even threaten you by saying if you don’t agree to give a recorded statement, you will get no money at all. Don’t fall for this. Hang up the phone and call a Fort Polk Lyft accident lawyer.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientHow a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help with Your Accident
The first step in seeking compensation for any physical injuries or damages to property in a Lyft accident is to file a claim. But before filing a claim, you’ll need to determine whose insurance was supposed to cover you when the car crash happened. Was it the Lyft driver’s personal car insurance policy, the other motorist’s policy, or Lyft’s policy?
Other problems could also happen, such as was a municipality at fault because a traffic light was malfunctioning, or the road had a massive pothole that hadn’t been filled and subsequently caused the accident? An attorney can help you understand who’s liable.
Filing a Claim in Louisiana
Once it’s determined who is at fault, your lawyer can file a claim against that party. The more complicated the car accident and severe the physical injuries and property damages are, the more compensation you can ask for. This also means you’ll probably encounter greater resistance from the responsible insurance company.
Negotiating a Settlement
The insurance company may purposefully drag their feet, hoping to wear you down. That way when you get a low-ball offer to settle your claim, you’ll give up and accept it.
It’s a good idea to speak with a Lyft accident lawyer for your protection. A personal injury lawyer knows the law and your legal rights. A personal injury lawyer knows all the tactics insurance companies pull out to try and fleece you.
Going to Court
If negotiations grind to a standstill, then it’s time for you and your lawyer to file a claim. First, this will get the insurance company’s attention. This could act as an incentive for them to settle, or they might decide to take their chances before a jury in a court of law. Our lawyer will gather evidence, write up the specifics of the claim, and file it on your behalf.
You can expect a claim to take one to three years to settle via the civil court system. Claims are not for the faint of art, but they may be the only way you can ultimately receive a fair settlement. The time and effort are worth the investment if it means making sure you and your family are taken care of.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientGet the Money You Deserve After Your Lyft Accident
You can try to settle a claim with an insurance company on your own. If you work with a lawyer, you can anticipate receiving more compensation than if you go it alone.
The Fort Polk Lyft accident lawyers available at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can protect your rights and help get you the settlement you need. You can contact us 24/7 for a free, no-obligation consultation today to discover how our lawyers can protect you.
