The historical Grand Coteau in St. Landry Parish, just north of LaFayette, Louisiana, is bustling with Lyft vehicles. However, while the rideshare industry has been booming for a while, so has the number of car accidents.
If you or a loved one was injured in a Lyft accident, a Grand Coteau Lyft accident lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you hold the negligent party to account. We will evaluate your case and seek compensation for your losses. You can learn more about how our attorneys can serve you in a free consultation.
The Statute of Limitations for Lyft Accident Lawsuits in Louisiana
Any person who has sustained injuries due to negligence can file a lawsuit against the other party. However, the law can only give claimants a certain time window to do so. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations, and it varies for every state.
According to CC Art. 3492, rideshare accident victims in Louisiana usually have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit, beginning from the date of the accident. In extremely rare instances, the court may rule to stretch this deadline, but the norm is to dismiss any case filed beyond the statute as soon as the defendant cites the lapse. In any case, the best move is to file as soon as possible.
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Categories for Lyft Accident Compensation Eligibility
Any person injured due to negligence in a Lyft accident, or any other accident, may be entitled to collect compensation. There are several types of compensation that rideshare accident victims may be eligible for in Louisiana. Among others, these include:
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Medical bills for past and future care
- Interference with daily living, which is any change in the plaintiff’s daily routine as a result of the accident (for example, when a laborer could no longer work after sustaining a hip injury)
In any case, accident victims generally accept a settlement offer. After all, a trial is expensive, time-consuming, and public. However, if the settlement offer is not proportional to the victim’s losses, or if settlement talks break down for any reason, the case will usually go to court.
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Establishing Liability in a Lyft Accident
While it feels like Lyft has been around for ages, they’re still relatively new. These accidents can be complicated by nature, especially when determining liability. Establishing liability is crucial, as it forms the basis for any damage claim to proceed, and it’s how everyone knows whose insurance company to contact in the first place.
Based on RS § 45:201.6, Lyft and its drivers should each have insurance to protect them, their passengers, and other road users after an accident. The policy that applies to you depends on the driver’s status when the accident occurred.
If the App Was Off
A Lyft driver’s liability during an accident is determined by their engagement (or non-engagement) with the rideshare app. For instance, if the driver was neither on official duty nor logged into the app during the accident, they should be treated like any other non-commercial driver on the road. That means claimants should pursue compensation for resulting medical costs and property damages from the rideshare driver’s insurance company.
If the Driver Had the App On
If the Lyft driver had the app on and was waiting for a ride at the time of the crash, then Lyft’s third-party liability insurance would cover the losses if the driver’s insurance doesn’t apply.
However, suppose the driver was on their way to pick up a passenger or in the middle of a ride. In that case, Lyft’s third-party auto liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury, and contingent comprehensive & collision up to the value of the car would apply.
Note that Lyft passengers and drivers and a third party who was hurt in the crash but not in the Lyft vehicle may all qualify for compensation.
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Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Is Committed to Serving You
The personal injury attorneys at the Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers devote their time and efforts to helping rideshare and other personal injury claimants in the Grand Coteau area and elsewhere in Louisiana.
We are committed and compassionate towards clients, adding a personal touch to every case we handle rather than treating it merely as work. Furthermore, our firm has a long list of successful case outcomes, helping victims recover what is rightfully due to them after suffering losses caused by other people’s negligence.
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Our Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Ensure You Recover Fair Compensation
Insurance companies have their own team of lawyers whose main job is to keep payouts to the barest minimum. A personal injury attorney at our firm can handle settlement negotiations and make sure the insurance company doesn’t employ manipulative tactics to avoid paying you a fair settlement.
Unfortunately, many accident victims forgo hiring a lawyer due to the misconception that they can’t afford one. The truth is, our personal injury lawyers aren’t even paid until the case is closed, either through a settlement or an award in court.
This payment plan is known as a contingency arrangement, where the claimant pays the lawyer a percentage of their final compensation. Understandably, accident attorneys are very careful in taking up cases and will only commit to a client after establishing winnability.
Give Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers a Call Today
If you’ve been in a Lyft accident in Grand Coteau and are considering filing for damages, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is ready to hear your side of the story. We will provide a free evaluation of your case and present all the possibilities and options you have available.
Connect with us today to get started.
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