While rideshare companies such as Lyft offer convenient services, car accidents still happen on a regular basis. Unfortunately, a Lyft accident claim is more complicated than other types of car accident claims due to the unique liability coverage for an Uber or Lyft driver.
If you were severely injured due to a rideshare vehicle, a Colombia Lyft accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can untangle the complicated aspects of liability insurance and provide legal representation to defend you against unscrupulous companies seeking to avoid accountability.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are devoted to helping clients receive the maximum compensation for Lyft accident injuries. Our experienced legal team specializes in rideshare accident cases and has a proven track record of securing substantial settlements and verdicts.
Fatal rideshare passenger accident
Rideshare passenger shot by driver
Pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle
Rideshare driver sexual assault case
Motorcyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle
Hip and foot injury exiting a vehicle
We meticulously investigate every detail to ensure all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully addressed. Our deep expertise in handling Lyft accident claims allows us to navigate the complexities of these cases effectively and fight tirelessly for your rights.
Types of Cases Our Columbia Lyft Accident Lawyers Handle
A Columbia Lyft car accident attorney from our firm can assist you with many types of rideshare accidents related to Lyft, including the following:
- A rideshare crash caused by a Lyft driver where the passenger was injured;
- Car accidents involving pedestrians hit by Lyft vehicles;
- Lyft accidents where the rideshare driver crashed into the victim’s vehicle;
- A rideshare accident caused by another driver where the passenger in the Lyft vehicle was injured.
We handle accidents involving any of the following types of injuries:
- Broken bones
- Bruises and lacerations
- Facial disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Establishing Liability for a Lyft Accident
To establish liability, a Columbia Lyft accident injury attorney must prove negligence, which involves four factors: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. In short, these mean the liable party had a responsibility to act safely but failed to do so, and this failure was a contributing factor to the auto accident. You must also demonstrate you suffered damages.
Our law firm can help rideshare accident victims hold several different parties accountable, including:
- Rideshare Drivers – Uber or Lyft drivers have the same obligations as other drivers to act safely on the road. If a Lyft rideshare vehicle crashes due to driver negligence, the injured person can seek damages from them.
- Other Drivers – Our Columbia Lyft accident law firm will pursue compensation from the at-fault driver of another motor vehicle that caused the accident.
- Pedestrians – In some cases, jaywalkers and irresponsible pedestrians cause Lyft car crashes, in which case our law firm will seek compensation from them.
- Vehicle Manufacturers – We can also recover compensation from manufacturers who produce unsafe products, such as faulty brakes.
In some cases, it is possible to claim compensation from a transportation network company, but this is more difficult. Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors; in other words, they are not employees, and rideshare vehicles are not company cars.
This shields these companies from the typical vicarious liability that applies in bus accidents or taxi crashes.
However, an experienced attorney from our law firm can investigate whether the Lyft driver had a history of unsafe behavior that the company ignored, which may make Lyft liable. For example, if the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident and had a previous DUI but was still allowed to work, Lyft could be held responsible for failing to properly vet their drivers.
Missouri’s Comparative Fault Laws
Missouri is one of only 12 states that use the pure comparative negligence system for personal injury. This means that as long as you are not entirely to blame for the car accident, you can recover damages, but only to the extent that the other party is liable.
The other party would also be able to pursue damages against you to the percentage for which you are to blame.
In Uber and Lyft accidents, a Lyft passenger may still be considered somewhat liable for car accidents. For example, you may be found 15% responsible for talking on the phone while the Lyft driver was working, thus distracting them; the driver may be 60% responsible; and other parties may share another portion of the blame.
Our legal team would be able to seek damages up to 60% of the total percentage from that driver and a smaller portion from other parties. At the same time, the other party could seek 15% of the damages from you instead.
This is why it is essential to work with a lawyer: we can determine liability based on the evidence and ensure you are not assigned more blame than is reasonable for your actions.
Understanding Lyft’s Insurance Policy
Lyft’s insurance coverage is complicated, so a skilled attorney from our law firm is invaluable in recovering compensation. Different car insurance policies may be liable for covering damages depending on whether the driver was actively providing Lyft services at the time of the crash.
Lyft Drivers
When a Lyft driver is not logged into the app, they are not providing rideshare services, and thus the driver’s personal insurance is responsible for any damages.
Once they sign into the app and are waiting for a ride request, they are covered by limited third-party liability insurance that includes:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury;
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury;
- $25,000 per accident for property damage [1].
Should the accident happen while the driver is transporting a passenger, Lyft’s insurance company will cover up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability [1]. Lyft also provides first-party liability coverage, which includes underinsured motorist coverage and Med Pay for medical treatment.
If the driver has their own comprehensive car collision coverage, Lyft offers contingent comprehensive collision coverage up to the car’s value after a $2,500 deductible [1].
Lyft Passengers
Those riding in a Lyft vehicle are covered by the company’s insurance policy for up to $1,000,000 per accident for injury and property damage [1]. This includes expenses like medical care and lost wages.
Others Injured in an Accident Involving Lyft
Lyft provides coverage for any third party injured in the accident as long as the Lyft contractor is signed into the app. If you were hit by a Lyft driver waiting for a passenger, Lyft provides $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident, but the coverage will only pay for $25,000 in property damage [1].
If the driver was transporting a passenger at the time, the $1,000,000 limit still applies and must be divided amongst all injured parties.
A Columbia Lyft accident lawyer is crucial here, as they can assess who was liable and what their insurance can cover. They can also help establish the driver was working for Lyft at the time of the accident.
Compensation Our Columbia Lyft Accident Attorneys Can Help Recover
A Columbia Lyft rideshare accident attorney from our law firm will work hard to ensure you receive all types of compensation to which you are entitled. This includes economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages cover tangible losses as a result of the accident, which include:
- Medical bills
- Lost earnings
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Loss of earning potential
- Burial in the case of wrongful death
Non-economic damages consider how the accident has negatively impacted your life, such as:
- Disfigurement
- Grief
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
The court system can award punitive damages should the claim go to trial. They are meant to punish the defendant for actions that go beyond gross negligence, such as driving while drunk or intentionally hitting another car.
What to Do After a Lyft Car Accident in Columbia, Missouri
It’s vital that you act fast to protect your rights after an accident and ensure your safety. Follow these steps as soon as possible.
- Call 911 – Stay at the accident scene and do not let any party leave. Call 911 and wait for the police to arrive.
- Exchange Insurance Information – Get the insurance details and contact information of every driver present. You should also get contact information for witnesses so a Columbia Lyft rideshare accident injury lawyer from our firm can follow up with them.
- Take Photos of the Scene – Get closeups and distance shots of all the damage, and be sure to get photos of your own injuries.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Always go to the hospital as soon as possible to ensure you are not seriously injured.
- Don’t Post on Social Media – Posts on social media can be used against you by insurance adjusters, who may claim this proves you were not seriously harmed.
- Get an Accident Report – You can request the police report about the accident through the Columbia Police Department’s public records portal.
- File an Insurance Claim – After you submit a claim, the insurance company has 30 days to respond.
- Call a Columbia Lyft Accident Lawyer – Speak to us before you speak to insurance adjusters or other third parties who may attempt to use your words against you. They’ll handle all communications with insurance and other parties on your behalf.
You Have a Limited Time to File Lyft Accident Claims in Columbia, MO
Though the statute of limitations for personal injury in Missouri is 5 years, this is shortened to only 3 years in the case of death. Additionally, if it can be established that the accident was intentional, such as road rage, the statute of limitations may be shortened to only 2 years.
As negotiations can often take years, it’s important to start the claims process as soon as possible.
Contact Our Columbia Lyft Accident Attorney Today!
Thanks to our years of experience and world-class negotiation skills, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has recovered millions on behalf of our clients, helping them recover in comfort after a serious rideshare crash. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing upfront. We deduct our legal fees from your settlement, so you owe us nothing unless we are able to win your case.
Contact an accomplished Lyft accident attorney and schedule your free consultation by calling (888) 424-5757 or using our online contact form.
References: [1] Lyft