If you’ve been in an accident while a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, then you probably are wondering what happens next. An Iota Lyft accident lawyer can guide you through the process of recovering damages.
Determining Blame in Lyft Accidents
You might be trying to determine who is to blame for the accident, so you’ll know which way to turn. The fact is that in most cases, both parties are to blame to some degree.
When an accident occurs, the insurance adjusters will determine the percentage of fault each party has. This can be obtained from police reports, eyewitness accounts, and the way the cars are damaged. The way these percentages are used is as follows:
- Some states use the comparative fault rule that says if you are 51 percent or more to blame, then you cannot recover damages. In Louisiana, though, you can be up to 99 percent at fault and still recover damages. This is known as the pure comparative fault system (La. R.S. § 9:2800.68).
- The percentage of blame that you have is equal to the amount that will be reduced from your total award.
An example of how this works is if a driver is found to be 30 percent at fault and the total award is $100,000, then the amount they could recover for damages would be $70,000.
In the case of a Lyft passenger, you would not need to have your award reduced because you can take action against both drivers if need be.
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Insurance Coverage for Lyft Accidents
Lyft works with several companies to insure the driver in case of an accident. The insurers include:
- Allstate
- Liberty Mutual
- Mobilitas
- Progressive
- State Farm
The company covers limited damages in the following categories:
- Third-party liability
- Uninsured/underinsured
- Contingent collision
- Comprehensive collision
Even with the Lyft insurance coverage, it may not be adequate for all your personal injury needs. You may still require additional funds to help pay for the damages you’ve suffered. This is where an Iota Lyft accident attorney can come in handy. They will assist you with recovering the other amounts necessary to cover everything.
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Common Injuries from a Lyft Accident
After getting into a Lyft accident, your injuries may range from mild to severe and from the physical to the emotional. Common injuries from a Lyft accident include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Shoulder pain
- Whiplash
- Bruised or broken ribs
- Bruises, abrasions, cuts, and burns
In addition, you may have emotional pain and suffering after a vehicle accident. Some of these can include:
- Emotional anguish
- Fear or anxiety about driving
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Nightmares
An Iota Lyft accident lawyer will assist you with recovering damages from both types of injuries.
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Recovering Damages from a Car Accident
Louisiana allows you to recover the following types of damages:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic damages might be the first one you think of after an accident, because of the cost it takes from your wallet. These damages include things like:
- Medical costs
- Income losses
- Miscellaneous losses
You can also file for other damages that don’t have a monetary value but a cost just as well. These are referred to as “pain and suffering.” These emotional damages are just as relevant as your physical damages. You may have lost pleasures due to the accident. An attorney will calculate the amount these damages are worth.
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What About Punitive Damages?
Another totally separate type of damages is called punitive damages. CC Art. 3546 says that punitive damages can be collected in the case of someone acting grossly negligent. In fact, the punitive damages are awarded to deter the defendant from doing this action again and to deter others. Punitive damages also serve as a punishment.
Some of the reasons for punitive damages are:
- The act was oppressive.
- Fraud was involved.
- The act was malicious.
- The act was grossly negligent.
Some of these don’t apply to car accidents. In the case of an accident, punitive damages would most likely be awarded due to negligence or malice.
What Will an Iota Lyft Accident Lawyer Do for You?
Once an accident occurs, you might feel the stress and fear of your situation. Managing this on your own might feel overwhelming. You want to ensure your rights are protected, so you don’t lose anything that you’ve lost in the accident. When you hire an Iota Lyft accident lawyer, you’ll have someone by your side that understands the law and can deal with the legalities of the case.
Let’s break down the role of an Iota Lyft attorney to see how they will help you when dealing with a car accident. They will manage the entire case from beginning to end, so you can focus on your injuries and healing. Some of the issues they will deal with include the following:
- Determine who was responsible for the incident
- Collect the relevant evidence in the case
- Determine how much damages there are
- File the necessary paperwork
- Negotiate with the insurers
- Fight the case in court
An attorney will also make sure your claim is filed within the one-year statute of limitations for Louisiana, according to CC Art. 3492.
Seek Assistance from a Lawyer
Get in touch with an Iota Lyft accident lawyer to begin the process of recovering your damages from a Lyft accident. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, an attorney will meet with you and give you a free case assessment. A Lyft attorney will be able to advise you about your next steps and tell you the type of damages you might be able to collect. You don’t need to worry about any money in advance, because we work on a contingency plan arrangement.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, you’ll have more than 250 years of combined experience from our personal injury attorneys. We’ve won millions of dollars for our clients throughout the years. Call us for more information and put your case in capable hands.
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