You can get compensation for your injuries if you sustain injuries while using Lyft services. To get compensation, you will have to prove the at-fault driver is liable for your injuries. Proving liability is an intricate process because of the legal considerations involved.
A Terrytown Lyft accident lawyer will advise you to build a strong case to increase the chances of recovering damages. The damages will help you cover medical and other expenses arising from the accident. Here is what you need to know if you get into a Lyft accident.
Recovering Compensation After a Lyft Accident
Ridesharing drivers including Lyft drivers use their cars to offer services to passengers. A Lyft driver needs to have car insurance coverage before hitting the road. Most of these drivers have personal insurance coverage which does not cover claims arising from using a vehicle for commercial purposes.
It is difficult to recover compensation from Lyft drivers after an accident because they are independent contractors. State laws, therefore, mandate Lyft to purchase insurance coverage to cover accident victims. The amount of compensation you may get from Lyft’s insurance policy will depend on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
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.
ClientFactors That Contribute to Lyft Accidents
The increasing number of pedestrians and vehicles on the roads makes it harder for many drivers. Despite the development, drivers have a duty of care to other road users. This means that they need to consider everyone’s interests while driving. Sadly, that is not always the case.
Common factors that contribute to Lyft accidents include:
- Drivers driving while they are fatigued
- Over speeding or reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Blatant traffic violations like failing to yield
- Tailgating
Sometimes, Lyft accidents result from factors that are beyond the control of the driver and other road users. Take the case where faulty road designs or other road defects are responsible for the accident. Lyft accidents may at times result from manufacturing defects in the vehicle that causes the accident.
Do not rush to blame someone after an accident even if you suspect them. It is important to trace the root cause of the accident by conducting investigations first. This will make it easier for you to prove liability when you file your claim.
Coverage Limit When the Lyft App Is On: Waiting for a Request
Lyft provides limited coverage to accident victims when they get into an accident with their driver while the app was on waiting for a request. The coverage offers up to $50,000 in bodily injuries per person in the accident. It provides $100,000 in bodily injuries to cover the entire accident. Finally, this coverage provides $25,000 per accident to cover property damage.
Coverage Limit When the App Is On and the Driver Has Accepted a Passenger
The coverage is more generous to victims who sustain injuries while the driver has a passenger or is going to pick up a passenger. This policy provides coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists, a $1 million in third-party auto liability, and collision coverage that is equal to the value of damage sustained by your car.
This coverage applies only if the at-fault party’s insurance is not enough to cover the damages of the victims in the accident.
Coverage Limit When the Lyft App Is Off
A Lyft driver who has switched the app off is off duty. Under this circumstance, the driver’s insurance covers them in case they are involved in an accident. You will have to negotiate with their insurance company for settlement or file a personal injury claim against the driver for compensation.
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 | ClientThe Damages You Can Recover After a Lyft Accident
Lyft accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages for compensation. Economic damages are the monetary losses you suffered because of the accident. Non-economic damages cover the intangible but important things you lost after the accident. Some of the recoverable damages you may get include:
- Present and future medical treatment costs
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death in case you lost a loved one
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of wages and the ability to earn in the future
It’s Not Easy to Recover Compensation
The insurance policy for Lyft’s accident victims looks tantalizing when you go through it. Do not imagine that you will receive these benefits automatically after the accident. Lyft has a team of lawyers who will do their best to deny you access to the compensation.
These lawyers are familiar with insurance laws which they will not hesitate to use against you. For instance, they may trick you into apologizing after the accident. According to our Terrytown Lyft accident lawyer, this is an admission of guilt for the accident. You cannot file for claims when you have accepted you are the at-fault party in an accident.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientThe Statute of Limitations for Lyft Accident Cases
The statute of limitation sets out the time limit for filing claims after a Lyft accident. If you bring your case after the expiry of this period, you will not be eligible for compensation. The law will deem that at-fault party innocent of any wrongdoing. You should file for claims within two years after the date of the Lyft accident.
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.
ClientWhat You Should Do After a Lyft Accident
Make sure that you and anybody who sustained injuries during the accident are in stable condition. Afterward, call for medical attention and inform the police about the accident. Take the details of the driver who was at fault including their insurance information. Take photographs of the accident scene together with your injuries while they are still fresh if it is possible.
Contact a Lyft Accident Lawyer for Assistance
Get in touch with a Terrytown Lyft accident lawyer if you have sustained injuries in a Lyft accident. A lawyer can help you build a strong case against the at-fault driver by conducting a thorough investigation. We will handle all the negotiations with insurance firms on your behalf to secure a fair settlement. Call us to speak to a lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today.
