Lyft is a popular ridesharing service available in most major cities in the United States and Canada. Like taxis, Lyft provides a valuable service and does so safely most of the time.
Accidents happen, however—and motor vehicle accidents with rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft result in similar costs, injuries, and outcomes as with any other type of car accident. However, using a rideshare company leaves you without the legal resources that you’d have if you were involved in a taxi accident.
The rideshare accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have helped victims recover millions of dollars after facing serious injuries. Read on to learn more about the legal complexities of recovering compensation after an accident while taking a rideshare vehicle, the damages that can be claimed, and the process of filing a civil lawsuit with the help of a personal injury attorney.
Uber and Lyft drivers provide a private and convenient alternative to public transportation. In some cities, having access to an Uber or Lyft driver can reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road.
Despite this potential benefit, some serious concerns have been raised regarding the rideshare industry’s impact on road safety, such as the potential for rideshare drivers to cause more road accidents and invite lawsuits.
And these concerns about Uber and Lyft extend past personal injury lawsuits from accidents.
There are also concerns over criminal activity and driver conduct, including sexual assault—even though both Uber and Lyft maintain that their rideshare drivers are independent contractors rather than employees, removing liability from the rideshare company.
As a result, it is difficult to know who should be held liable in a Lyft car crash. Fortunately, your Lyft car accident attorney will help you prepare your case to make sure that you can collect the compensation that you deserve.
The Impact of Rideshare Services on Car Accident Rates
Taxis have been a concern for safety regulators for a long time, but those concerns are expanding as new rideshare companies develop. The introduction of companies like Lyft and Uber has had a noticeable impact on car accident rates. Here are some of the impacts of rideshare companies on car accident rates:
- Ridesharing has increased traffic congestion on American roads by 4.5% [1].
- Ten people died as a result of assaults in a Lyft vehicle, and there were 1,096 reports of sexual assaults between 2017 and 2019 [2].
- Ridesharing services contribute to an increased injury burden on US roadways [3].
- Cities with more tourism rely more heavily on ridesharing companies than cities without the same level of flight-based tourism [4].
- Lyft provides more than 1 million rides every day [5].
The Importance of Legal Representation in Lyft Car Accidents
If you are in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, consult with an accident lawyer before taking any action other than seeking medical care. Lyft accidents can be more difficult to navigate than other vehicle accidents, largely because of the legal implications of ridesharing.
Companies like Uber and Lyft take a stance that their drivers are not employees—rather, they argue, the drivers are independent contractors. Because of this argument, the legal process becomes more complicated.
For example, who you sue after an Uber or Lyft accident can change. You might think about suing the companies because it was their app that helped to set up the ride—but that might not be possible if the driver was an independent contractor using their own car.
So, you might think about suing the driver directly. However, the at-fault driver could argue that Uber or Lyft were liable because the driver was working for the company at the time the accident occurred.
Lawyers who handle ridesharing lawsuits often navigate a part of the legal system that can be complex or confusing. That’s why having an attorney who’s experienced handling a case with an Uber or Lyft accident can make navigating the system less stressful.
Why Hiring a Lyft Rideshare Accident Attorney Is Crucial
Hiring an experienced rideshare accident attorney is critical in providing the support that you need to navigate the complex rideshare laws. Your Lyft accident lawyer will know who to hold accountable, how long you have to file a claim under the relevant statute of limitations, and how much compensation to ask for to cover all of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents
The most common causes of Lyft accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving – Lyft drivers are often distracted by their cell phones for work purposes, as well as by the people who are in their vehicles.
- Speeding – Rideshare drivers are tipped and rated based on performance, incentivizing drivers to speed to get clients to their destinations faster.
- Driver error – Lyft drivers work long hours under stress and regularly make driver errors because of the strain.
- Aggressive driving – A rideshare driver benefits from quickly getting clients where they need to go, which is why some drivers reduce travel times by driving more aggressively.
- Illegal parking – Drivers and passengers don’t want to deal with delays when they get somewhere, leading to issues like double or illegal parking.
- Fatigue – Drivers work long hours for the company or have multiple jobs, leading to long hours and advanced fatigue.
- Tailgating – In a rush to get places, a rideshare driver can tailgate, unaware that they are creating a dangerous situation in order to get to their destination faster.
- Drunk driving – Some drivers drink on the job, resulting in drunk driving accidents.
- Dangerous road conditions – Drivers are often expected to drive in dangerous conditions, including rain, snow, and heavy traffic.
Types of Rideshare Accidents
There are many different types of ridesharing accidents that our rideshare accident attorneys have experience with. These include the following:
- Rear-end collisions – When one vehicle runs into the back of the other. This collision is more likely in heavy traffic areas, like New York, and when drivers are aggressive and tailgating.
- Sideswipe accidents – When one vehicle brushes against the side of the other.
- Multi-car crashes – Usually refers to accidents with more than two vehicles that are caused by a chain of bad events.
- Pedestrian accidents – When a vehicle is in an accident with a person who was not in a vehicle. These accidents are more common near crosswalks or when there is heavy foot traffic crossing the street.
- Single-vehicle accidents – When a vehicle is the only one in the accident. Usually, this happens when a car hits something on the side of the road after losing control.
- Hit-and-run accidents – When a vehicle leaves the scene of an accident before exchanging information or being instructed to leave by police.
What Injuries Are Most Common in Lyft Accidents?
An Uber or Lyft accident can cause similar injuries to most other car accidents. In Lyft car accident cases, some of the most common Lyft accident injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Friction burns from seatbelts
- Broken bones
A Lyft accident attorney deals with unique legal issues in handling rideshare cases. The biggest problem for lawyers who deal with Uber and Lyft rideshare accident cases is that each party tries to pass the blame onto someone else.
Uber and Lyft regularly argue that their drivers are not employees, so the companies are not responsible. The drivers involved in the car accidents, on the other hand, claim that the company should be responsible.
When that fails, they try to blame the other driver in the accident. And to make everything worse, the law can be a bit convoluted about the subject, making it difficult to file a case.
A Lyft accident attorney has to take these and many other matters into consideration when building a rideshare accident case. This complexity is another reason why hiring a Lyft accident attorney may be in your best interest.
Other lawyers who don’t specialize in handling personal injury cases against Uber and Lyft may not be as effective in managing your case and navigating the unique issues associated with it.
Determining Fault in Rideshare Accidents
Your Lyft accident lawyers will help to determine who is liable in your rideshare accident case. This process can be especially challenging in an Uber or Lyft accident, since the drivers are independent contractors and not employees of Uber or Lyft.
This detail means that most accident cases involving a negligent Lyft driver, for instance, are against the driver and not against Uber or Lyft as companies.
If another driver caused your Lyft accident, it is possible to hold other drivers and at-fault parties responsible, as in any car accident.
Your Lyft accident lawyer will be able to review the facts about your case and help you determine who you can file your personal injury lawsuit against.
The Liability of Lyft Drivers and the Company
The gray legal area where Uber and Lyft operate as independent contractors can shift much of the legal liability of accidents involving Lyft to the drivers themselves.
Lyft’s insurance company offers some coverage for accidents, with coverage limits that differ based on the driver’s ride status [6]. Otherwise, claims must go through the Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
While the driver has the Lyft app on and is waiting for a ride request, Lyft’s policy covers $50,000 per person for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
For example, if your car is hit by a Lyft driver who is waiting for a ride request, you might only be able to recover $25,000 to replace your vehicle through Lyft’s insurance coverage.
While the driver has the Lyft app on and is en route to pick up paying passengers or during rides, Lyft’s insurance coverage will cover at least $1 million in third-party auto liability and a variety of first-party car insurance plans, including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, MedPay, and Occupational Accident coverage.
Any claims outside of these parameters are generally left to the insurance company of the Lyft driver or any other driver involved in your car accident. In some jurisdictions, you may also be able to make a claim on your own insurance policy.
Damages That Can Be Compensated in a Lyft Accident Claim
Rideshare accident lawyers can help an accident victim recover different types of compensation for your serious injuries, including the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Disability
The Role of a Lawyer in Maximizing Compensation
A rideshare accident lawyer can help you maximize compensation for your rideshare accident claim. Lyft accident attorneys can use their experience to accurately value your damages to ensure that you don’t miss out on any compensation that you are entitled to.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to get more compensation.
Insurance companies are known for lowball offers. This is why it’s important to have a rideshare accident lawyer on your side to be able to know how much compensation to fight for.
Rideshare accidents are unique and have different regulations in place that govern civil suits. As a result, it becomes more important to follow certain steps after an accident involving a Lyft driver.
First, always seek immediate medical attention after rideshare accidents. While prompt medical care is critical after all car accidents, it is even more vital after a rideshare accident, as the legal aftermath with Uber and Lyft can be more complex. Many severe injuries may not be immediately obvious.
Going to the hospital can help to identify these injuries early and create strong evidence of your injuries and how they came from your Lyft accident. If you wait too long to get medical treatment, it could be more difficult to link the accident to your injuries.
If possible, you should try to get photos of the accident scene. This includes all vehicles involved in the accident, the location of the accident, property damage, and any visible injuries.
If there are businesses near your accident, try to take photos that include their signs. There could be important video footage of your Lyft accident captured by their surveillance cameras.
You also want to get the contact information of the Lyft driver, other people involved in the accident, and any witnesses. In the event that you decide to take legal action, you can give all this information to your Lyft accident lawyer during your free consultation to show them your case.
Once you’ve documented the accident and sought out medical treatment, it is time to set up a free consultation with rideshare accident lawyers. You could have a strong case to recover compensation in a personal injury case for your severe injuries and high medical bills.
The Importance of Legal Consultation
It is common for an accident victim to not know what to do after an Uber or Lyft accident. Dealing with hefty medical bills, caring for painful injuries, missing work, and possibly replacing your own vehicle is a lot to deal with.
Therefore, many victims involved in Uber and Lyft rideshare accidents will benefit from hiring our experienced Lyft accident attorneys.
Insurance providers are known for trying to minimize settlements, as each settlement takes away from their profitability. As a Lyft passenger involved in an accident, you probably haven’t been involved in this kind of case before. How do you know how much of a settlement offer is enough?
With legal representation, you’ll have someone to negotiate with insurance companies for you. And if your attorney has worked on rideshare cases before, they will know much to ask for. Plus, companies could be less likely to offer a lowball settlement since they will see that you retained a lawyer and are prepared to take them to court.
How Much Does a Lyft Accident Attorney Cost?
A Lyft accident attorney doesn’t have to be expensive. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency basis. That means that we take on your case for free and collect a portion of the compensation that you are awarded as payment. You’ll have no up-front cost and only pay us if we win your Lyft accident case.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has helped clients recover millions of dollars in accident cases to cover medical bills and other important expenses. We’re confident that we can help you. Our team serves clients nationwide, so we are able to help you with your lawsuit no matter where you live or where the accident took place.
Next Steps for Accident Victims
When victims are trying to recover from car accidents, the last thing that they want to think about is a lawsuit. However, filing a lawsuit after a rideshare accident can help with your recovery by compensating for the monetary damage that you suffered, even when the insurance company tries to undercut you.
First, deal with your immediate health issues by seeking medical attention. Then, contact a Lyft accident attorney to see what your legal options are against the rideshare driver or the rideshare companies. You may have more than one way to pursue recourse.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provides legal representation for cases involving your rideshare company. We have helped other clients recover millions for their injuries. We are well prepared to help you manage your case, from the process of gathering evidence to bringing your lawsuit to trial.
If you think you may have a case, or want more information about what to do after a Lyft accident, contact a Lyft accident lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling our law firm toll-free at (888) 424-5757. A member of our team is available 24 hours a day to answer your call and schedule your consultation.
Remember that we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t need to worry about coming up with money to pay for our services upfront. Instead, we take a small percentage of your final settlement that we help you recover.
Resources: [1] Bankrate, [2] Lyft, [3] CDC, [4] National Library of Medicine, [5] American Journal of Epidemiology, [6] Lyft