Can I Sue Lyft After an Injury Accident?
Can I Sue Lyft After an Injury Accident?
If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident while riding as a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, you may be wondering – can I sue Lyft for my injuries? The short answer is that in many cases, it is possible to bring a lawsuit against Lyft if their driver’s negligence caused you harm. However, a lawsuit is not necessary in most situations, as you might resolve the matter directly with Lyft’s insurance company with representation from the right attorney.
An experienced Orange County rideshare accident lawyer can review the details of your case and advise you on your legal options for seeking compensation, including whether Lyft is a liable party for your injuries. Other liable parties might include the rideshare driver or third-party drivers, among others.
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Why You May Have a Case Against Lyft
When you request a ride through the Lyft app, you are putting your safety in the hands of Lyft and trusting that they will pair you with a safe, responsible driver. Lyft must screen their drivers thoroughly, which is the company’s part to ensure it has careful drivers.
If a Lyft driver fails to drive safely and causes an accident that leaves you injured, Lyft may be liable if the driver was actively working at the time of the accident. Though vicarious liability does not usually apply to Lyft and its drivers, state laws have required Lyft to provide liability coverage for its active drivers under certain circumstances.
Some common ways Lyft drivers cause accidents include:
- Distracted driving, such as using a phone while driving
- Fatigued driving from working too many hours
- Speeding, running red lights, or other reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
When a Lyft driver engages in these negligent behaviors behind the wheel, leading to a crash, both the individual driver and Lyft as a company may be responsible for the resulting injuries and damage.
The Importance of Medical Treatment
If you’ve been in an accident as a Lyft passenger, the most important thing is getting proper medical care for your injuries immediately. Even if you feel okay in the immediate aftermath, it’s best to get checked out by a doctor, as some serious injuries may not show symptoms until later. Seeing a doctor will also document your injuries, which will be important evidence in any legal case.
Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments and complete the full course of treatment your doctor recommends. If you neglect your medical care, Lyft’s lawyers may try to argue that you made your injuries worse and use that to avoid taking full responsibility. Your health should be the top priority.
Be Cautious When Dealing With Insurance Companies
After your accident, you will likely be contacted by insurance representatives for Lyft or the driver’s personal auto insurance carrier. They may ask you to provide a recorded statement about what happened or try to get you to accept a quick settlement offer.
It’s best to avoid discussing the details of the accident or your injuries with any insurance adjusters until you’ve consulted with a lawyer. The insurance companies have their own financial interests in mind, not yours. They may try to use your statements against you to minimize their payout or get you to settle for far less than your case is worth.
Tell the insurance company that you need to speak with your attorney first. Your lawyer can deal with the insurers on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected. Never agree to a settlement without having a rideshare accident attorney review it first.
The Value of Hiring a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Bringing a lawsuit against a big tech company like Lyft can be difficult. Lyft has teams of lawyers working to defend them and will fight hard to avoid taking responsibility for your injuries. Trying to take them on alone will be an uphill battle.
That’s why if you’re considering suing Lyft, it’s in your best interest to hire an experienced rideshare accident attorney to handle your case. Your lawyer will have the legal knowledge and resources to investigate your accident thoroughly, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case for compensation.
An attorney can also determine all possible sources of compensation for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you can recover money through:
Lyft’s Liability Insurance Policy
Lyft provides a $1 million liability insurance policy that covers passengers who suffered an injury in accidents caused by their drivers under certain circumstances. This $1 million coverage is much more than most individual rideshare drivers have on their car insurance. It’s there to protect passengers in case of serious crashes. The policy is active from when a driver is matched with a passenger until the ride is over.
To access this insurance money, you must file a claim and show evidence of the Lyft driver’s fault in causing the crash. The insurance company will investigate what happened. They may offer a settlement, but it might not be enough.
A rideshare accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurer to seek fair compensation. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a reasonable settlement, your lawyer can fight them in court to get you the money you deserve from the $1 million policy.
The Lyft Driver’s Personal Auto Insurance
In addition to Lyft’s corporate policy, the individual Lyft driver must have their own personal auto insurance to drive for the company. Most states require all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. This is usually between $15,000 to $30,000 per injured person.
If you suffered an injury in an accident caused by your Lyft driver, their insurance policy will be the first source of compensation. You can file a claim against that policy for your medical expenses and other damages. However, the driver’s coverage limits may not be nearly enough to fully compensate you if you suffered major injuries.
For example, if your medical bills are $100,000 but the Lyft driver only has $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, their insurance will not be sufficient. In that case, you should turn to Lyft’s $1 million policy for additional compensation whenever possible. A rideshare accident lawyer can coordinate claims with multiple insurance policies to maximize your financial recovery.
Third-Party Drivers
Not every rideshare accident happens due to a rideshare driver. Sometimes, you might be a passenger in a Lyft when another negligent driver slams into the Lyft vehicle. That negligent driver should be liable for your injuries and losses, and you will need to file an insurance claim against their liability insurance policy. In such cases, a claim or lawsuit against Lyft is likely not a possibility, as Lyft has no legal liability unless the Lyft driver was partially responsible for the collision.
A knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer can identify all possible insurance policies that can contribute to your compensation. They can coordinate the claims process and work to get you maximum compensation from every available source.
The more drivers or parties that share liability, the more insurance coverage that might be available to cover your losses. This is important if your injuries are severe, as your damages might be significant. When damages exceed usual driver liability policies, tapping into multiple policies or Lyft’s corporate policy can be highly beneficial, so you want a rideshare accident attorney to carefully examine every insurance claim option.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Against Lyft and/or the Driver
Sometimes, an insurance claim does not result in a settlement offer that will fully compensate you for the harm you’ve suffered in a Lyft accident. The driver may not have enough coverage or and Lyft’s insurer may not offer near enough if you’ve suffered catastrophic, life-changing injuries. In that situation, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek justice.
A lawsuit is a formal legal claim filed in civil court. It seeks to hold the at-fault party legally responsible for the injuries and damages they’ve caused you. In the case of a Lyft accident, you can bring a lawsuit against the individual Lyft driver and Lyft as a company, depending on the facts of the case.
Through a lawsuit, you can seek money for all the ways the accident has harmed you, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your case goes to a jury trial, the jury can award you money for these damages if they find the Lyft driver and/or Lyft liable.
An experienced rideshare accident attorney can evaluate whether a lawsuit is in your best interests. Most cases reach an out-of-court settlement before trial. Your lawyer can aggressively negotiate with the insurance companies and their defense attorneys to get you the highest possible settlement. But if Lyft doesn’t make a fair offer, your lawyer will be ready to battle for you in front of a judge and jury.
A skilled lawyer will explore every potential avenue to get you the maximum compensation possible. They can also negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to fight for a fair settlement. If Lyft refuses to make a reasonable offer, your attorney can take them to court.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
If you suffered an injury in an accident caused by a negligent Lyft driver, you may be able to recover significant compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, including:
- Medical expenses for treating your injuries
- Lost income from missing work during your recovery
- Future medical costs if you’ll need ongoing care
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries impact your ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Property damage, such as to your cell phone or belongings in the car
An experienced attorney can assess the full extent of your losses and fight to get you every dollar you deserve. Keep in mind that if you try to handle the case on your own and accept a settlement from Lyft, you’ll likely end up with far less than your case is worth. A lawyer will advocate aggressively for your interests.
Taking Action Now Is Key
It’s important to be aware that if you’re thinking about suing Lyft over your accident, there is a limited window of time you have to take legal action. Every state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits.
In many states, the statute of limitations for car accident cases is just two or three years from the date of the crash. If you wait too long to get started, you can lose your right to seek compensation entirely. That’s why it’s best to speak with a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident so they can work on your case immediately.
Contact a Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
Being injured in an accident as a Lyft passenger can be a painful and traumatic experience. You trusted Lyft to provide you with a safe ride, but they let you down. Now, you’re left dealing with mounting medical bills, missed work, and an uncertain future.
You deserve justice and fair compensation for all you’ve been through. The most important step you can take is to contact an experienced Lyft accident lawyer in your area to discuss your rights and options for holding Lyft accountable. Look for an attorney with a track record of successfully handling cases against rideshare companies and understands what goes into bringing a claim against a big corporation like Lyft.
An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can stand up for you against a big company like Lyft and fight to hold them accountable for the harm their driver caused you. Don’t try to take on Lyft alone. Call a rideshare accident attorney today for a free consultation.
With the help of a knowledgeable rideshare accident attorney, you can focus on recovering from your injuries while your lawyer handles the legal battle to get you the maximum possible compensation.