Rideshare services have become an everyday use in our lives due to the ease of transportation. Lyft commands a considerable market share in the U.S. and beyond, taking second place after its rival Uber. Despite the many benefits of using Lyft and the safety precautions they put in place, accidents involving Lyft are common.
Drivers, customers, and third-party entities often get hurt, and in worse-case scenarios, they succumb to their injuries. If you or your loved one was hurt in a Lyft accident in Opelousas, a Lyft accident lawyer could help you seek compensation from the company’s insurance agency.
How an Opelousas Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help
Some people attempt to go about personal injury claims alone without success. Time is of the essence in these cases, and you must start gathering evidence and compiling it into a charge immediately after the accident. Delays can harm your case by making it harder to prove your injuries are linked to the crash.
Bringing on lawyers early helps you avoid irreversible mistakes that could translate to measly compensation. You can trust our lawyers to apply their combined local and state laws knowledge to win you the maximum settlement available.
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.
ClientSafety Measures Lyft Has in Place
Lyft is keen to always ensure the safety of its drivers and customers. As such, the company has implemented the following safety measures:
- Every driver must have a valid driver’s license
- Drivers must be at least 25 years old
- Every driver must have an up-to-date insurance cover on their vehicle
- Drivers must pass a criminal background check
- A DMV background check for all drivers
- All vehicles must undergo a general car inspection before being signed onto the platform
- They only accept 4-door cars that are not older than 2011 models
- Every driver needs to have a smartphone to run the Lyft Driver app
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 | ClientWhat You Should Do After a Lyft Accident
Despite the above safety measures, Lyft accidents are a commonality on American roads, and many people get hurt as a result. Here are five essential things to do following a collision:
Call the Police
The person at fault for the accident bears responsibility for injuries, deaths, or property damage. Law enforcement officers in Opelousas have experience determining fault in minor crashes to even multiple car pileups.
Seek Medical Treatment
If the dispatcher asks if you or other passengers sustained injuries, do not downplay how you feel. First responders can evaluate and perform emergency interventions before transferring the injured people to a hospital. Prompt medical treatment can mean life or death, even when the injuries don’t appear life-threatening.
Document the Scene
The photographic representation of the scene speaks volumes and will resonate with the jury if your case goes to trial. The insurance adjuster cannot ignore the gruesome sight of shattered glass, skid marks, and blood. It would help if you had wide-angle pictures that depict the cars in the crash and close-up shots of your injuries, and property damage.
Police may take pictures of the scene to prove a violation of traffic laws, but they are not mandated to photograph every accident site.
Collect Accident Information
Take note of critical things regarding the collision, such as the insurance status of all cars involved, witness accounts, road conditions, and the police report. This step aims to gather all necessary evidence that will help your claim yield a favorable outcome. Of course, you can only do these if your injuries are not severe. Otherwise, seeking medical treatment comes first.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
After receiving treatment and doing all the preliminary steps, the next thing you can do is consult with a Lyft accident lawyer. A legal professional will examine your case and let you know if you have a chance to claim financial recovery from the responsible party.
This first meeting comes at no charge, and most firms take on personal injury clients on a contingency basis. This arrangement means that a percentage of the compensation awarded at the end of your case becomes our legal fee. You will agree on this percentage at the onset and sign a contract.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWhat Is a Preservation-of-Evidence Letter?
Lyft offers exceptional protection for its drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. The company has auto insurance policies covering its drivers and customers when accidents occur and sustain injuries. As such, it is customary for Lyft to preserve all GPS and electronic evidence during crashes to help with the ensuing investigations.
Your lawyer will advise you to do the same using a preservation-of-evidence letter delivered to the company’s offices. This letter identifies pertinent documents and electronically stored data that need saving for imminent litigation. The defendant must preserve all the evidence outlined in the letter for the potential charge against them.
You can review a sample of a preservation-of-evidence letter for your consideration.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientCommon Injuries in a Lyft Accident
Seeking compensation is vital so you can receive the best treatment without sinking into debt or going bankrupt. Remember, you will not be working during this time, bringing unforeseen financial strain to your family.
You may seek compensation for injuries like:
- Spinal cord damage, such as dislodged discs
- Fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Lacerations and cuts
- Burns and scarring
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal injuries
- Dental injuries
- Paralysis
- Limb amputation
- Concussion
- Whiplash
Damages You Can Qualify for in a Lyft Accident
If you are a victim of a Lyft car accident and sustained any of the above injuries, you could be eligible for compensation as follows:
- All medical costs plus rehabilitation, hospital stay, and medical equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Mental agony
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earnings, e.g., due to enduring disability
Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Legal Counsel
Were you injured in a Lyft crash? Seek the services of an Opelousas Lyft accident lawyer to help you seek compensation from the responsible party. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we strive to recover the highest settlements and favorable trial verdicts for clients in this predicament.
We treat you with respect, compassion, and dignity when you hire us. Let us worry about the legal process as you focus on recuperating from your injuries. Contact us today for a free case review and more information.
