Can You Sue Lyft After An Accident?
Ridesharing has swiftly become one of the most popular modes of transportation.
Although Lyft and other ridesharing services are popular and handy for daily use, they are not without risk.
Even though it saves time compared to other modes of transportation, keep in mind that Lyft drivers are not particularly trained.
You put your fate in the hands of an inexperienced stranger when you use ridesharing apps.
If you're driving a Lyft and get into a car accident, you might be gravely hurt.
In addition, a ridesharing accident claim is considerably more complicated than most vehicle accident cases.
Still, you are entitled to compensation as a result of your injury, so can you sue Lyft for damages? Let our Lyft Accident Lawyers help answer this question.
What To Do If You're Involved In A Lyft Accident
The first thing you should do after a car accident is seek medical attention.
Your health always comes first, therefore even if you don't feel any pain or discomfort right after the accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
This will clearly aid in your recovery, and it will also support your personal injury claim by demonstrating that you sought medical attention soon after the accident.
After that, you must report the accident.
The Lyft driver should contact law police or a motor vehicle agency to report the accident.
However, as a passenger, you should notify the ridesharing provider about the accident.
Lyft has a unique accident reporting procedure.
If a rideshare company representative approaches you to obtain your take on the accident, tell them you're going to speak with a personal injury lawyer first and don't want to make any statements until then.
Personal injury legislation is complicated, and you don't want to make any costly mistakes.
If you're able, begin gathering information while you're still on the scene of the accident.
Get the names and contact information of everyone involved in the crash, as well as any witnesses, if possible.
Take photos of the accident area as well as the car license plates.
Finally, jot down all you recall about the car accident.
It is preferable if you can do this task as quickly as possible.
If you have to explain what happened to an accident attorney, a police officer, or another investigator, these notes will come in handy.
Is it Possible to Sue Lyft Right After a Crash?
Although the drivers for Lyft appear to be workers, they are actually independent contractors.
As a result, in the vast majority of circumstances, Lyft would not be held liable for an accident.
Instead, the injuries and car damage are usually covered by the driver and their insurance coverage.
You should be aware of how these businesses are structured.
Lyft drivers connect with riders with their company's app, and riders pay them through their rider app.
Lyft maintains a portion of the money, while the driver receives the remainder.
The drivers, on the other hand, are not employees.
As a result, some states' "vicarious responsibility" statutes will prevent you from expanding a lawsuit to include Lyft as a defendant.
However, if you are injured in a Lyft accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
Is Lyft Covered by Insurance?
This is when things become a little tricky. It's not always clear which insurance applies to you as an accident victim: yours, the at-fault driver's, or Lyft's.
Because the typical Lyft insurance policy includes liability insurance, the passenger is not liable if the ridesharing driver is at fault.
However, because the insurance is split between the driver's personal insurance and Lyft's insurance policy, there is some ambiguity.
If the driver's insurance company declines the claim due to a business use exception, Lyft's insurance covers all parties involved, assuming the Lyft driver is at fault.
This will happen as long as the driver's app is connected to the internet, which it should always be.
This is a quote from Lyft:
"In the event that your personal insurance does not react, our contingent liability coverage is designed to provide coverage when the app is in driving mode before you've received a ride request." The policy provides a $50,000 per person maximum limit, a $100,000 per accident maximum limit, and a $25,000 maximum limit for property damage[...] From the time you accept a ride request until the ride has concluded in the app, our primary liability insurance is designed to operate as the primary coverage. The policy's per-accident limit is $1,000,000. Note that if you currently have business insurance (or personal coverage that includes particular ridesharing coverage), Lyft's policy will continue to be in addition to your existing coverage."
If you're harmed because of the Lyft driver's negligence, you're protected up to the maximum limitations set out if the other driver is at fault.
What If The Lyft Driver Is Not At Fault?
If another irresponsible driver is to blame for the Lyft accident, the negligent driver's insurance company will step in through a third-party auto insurance claim.
Even if you are completely protected, seeking the advice of a personal injury attorney following a Lyft accident is usually the best line of action.
This is from Lyft as well:
"In the event of an accident involving a motorist who is uninsured (UM) or underinsured (UIM) and is ultimately at fault for bodily injury caused to you and/or your passengers (once you have accepted a ride or are transporting a passenger), our UM/UIM coverage will apply" (coverage limits vary by state). Our UM/UIM policy does not have a deductible."
Lyft's service is available in all 50 states.
There are exceptions in states like New York City, where a TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) driver is employed.
Some regions may have additional criteria that alter the coverage described.
If the at-fault driver's or Lyft's insurance policies are unable to completely compensate you for your injuries, or if the policies refuse to pay out, you may need to initiate a lawsuit against Lyft.
Let Us Fight For You!
Contact Alexander Shunnarah if you were injured in a Lyft accident and need assistance seeking financial compensation.
Alexander Shunnarah Injury Lawyers is well-known throughout the United States for offering exceptional legal advice and representation to harmed people.
Our legal prowess stems from our years of combined trial and complex litigation experience.
Our firm was formed on the notion that the civil jury system is the most effective way to compensate harmed parties while also deterring wrongdoers from damaging others in the future.