Getting into a car accident can result in serious injuries or even death. Injured victims can receive compensation from insurance claims or personal injury claims to recover expenses like lost wages or medical bills. However, when a car accident involves a rideshare company, particularly Lyft, there are additional factors to take into consideration.
Facing the additional challenges of legal liability and multiple insurance companies can be difficult on your own. A Lyft accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you build your case and navigate the legal process successfully.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are committed to obtaining the highest compensation for clients involved in Lyft accidents. Our skilled legal team has extensive experience in rideshare accident cases and a proven history 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 thoroughly investigate each incident to ensure all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are fully addressed. With our deep knowledge of Lyft accident claims, we fight vigorously to protect your rights and prioritize your financial recovery.
Leading Causes of Lyft Accidents
A car accident involving a Lyft driver could have many different causes. Your Lyft accident attorney will help you determine the cause and what evidence is necessary to support your claim. This is often one of the most complicated aspects of winning an accident case. Common causes of Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted drivers – Drivers can be distracted by multiple circumstances, including cell phones, eating, drinking, personal hygiene tasks, loud music, GPS devices, and even disruptive passengers
- Drunk drivers – Those who drink alcohol and operate vehicles put others at risk due to, slower response times, and impaired functions
- Road conditions – Poor road conditions can cause rideshare accidents due to potholes, rain, snow, ice, or other adverse conditions
- Disobeying traffic laws – Drivers who speed, tailgate, switch lanes illegally, ignore traffic signals, or break other traffic laws can endanger others and cause accidents resulting in personal injuries
- Defective vehicles – A vehicle can malfunction due to a defect or unaddressed repair, causing the driver to lose control and collide with pedestrians or other vehicles
- Fatigued drivers – If a rideshare driver has been working long hours, they could be fatigued, leading to an accident
- Disruptive passengers – Lyft passengers who behave poorly or attempt to distract their drivers could cause an accident
- Driver inexperience – Individuals with a shorter driving history may not have the instincts or attention to detail required for safe driving, so their inexperience could result in poor decisions causing motor vehicle accidents
- Construction zones – During construction on roadways or intersections, new traffic patterns often emerge and can lead to confusion, and if drivers are not careful, they may cause a collision
Common Injuries Sustained Among Lyft Accident Victims
Various parties can be injured in a car accident with a rideshare vehicle, including the passenger, the Lyft driver, other drivers, and pedestrians. The extent of the injuries will impact how much compensation the victim can obtain, so it is important to consult your Southfield Lyft car accident attorney to assess these damages.
It’s important to compile as many records as possible regarding treatment of your injuries as evidence in your case, no matter how minor they may be. Doctor’s records, exam results, and medical bills can all serve as crucial evidence in your case to help your Lyft accident attorneys negotiate for greater compensation.
Common injuries sustained in Lyft accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Knee injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Death
What Makes Lyft Accident Claims a Challenge
After a car accident, a victim can file a lawsuit against the party at fault to recover damages. However, the case becomes more complicated when it involves Lyft drivers.
Establishing liability is a bigger challenge since drivers are considered independent contractors rather than employees. There are also multiple insurance companies that may be responsible for paying compensation. Additionally, your own no-fault benefits could come into play for the car accident, no matter whose fault it was.
In rare cases, your lawsuit may be against Lyft as a company if they failed to follow their own standards for vetting drivers or providing insurance after an accident.
Insurance Coverage for Lyft Drivers
Insurance is one of the more confusing aspects of a Lyft car accident. The rideshare company itself provides some supplemental coverage depending on the status of their driver when the accident occurred. These policies are as follows:
- The Lyft app is off and the driver is not accepting rides – When the rideshare driver is offline, any damages from a car accident will be covered by their personal insurance company. Minimum auto insurance requirements are set by state law. These minimum requirements are $50,000 for injuries, $100,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage
- The Lyft app is on and the driver is awaiting ride requests – In this scenario, rideshare insurance can provide additional coverage if the driver’s policy is not adequate. This policy includes $50,000 per person for injuries, $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 per accident for property damage
- The driver is en route to a passenger or currently transporting one – Once the rideshare driver is en route to or with a passenger, the coverage from Lyft increases to at least $1,000,000 for injuries and property damage
How Our Southfield Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Help
A Lyft accident attorney from our law firm can be a valuable resource for many reasons. You can take advantage of our services to level the playing field against the defendant in your case.
Free Case Evaluation
First, we offer a free consultation so you can ask questions about your car accident and the legal implications. This free evaluation will help you determine the best legal option for your claim.
Thorough Case Investigation
We will conduct a thorough investigation. This involves gathering evidence like the official accident report, consulting with experts such as car accident reconstructionists, and collecting information about the damages you have suffered.
Negotiation
Insurance companies will attempt to diminish the injuries you suffered and undermine your case. Rather than giving in to a low offer, our lawyers will negotiate to ensure you are receiving the compensation you deserve.
Representation in Court
Although these cases typically are settled out of court, if a settlement can not be reached it will be necessary to file a lawsuit. If that is the case, your Southfield Lyft car accident lawyer will represent you. Our legal team will be on your side against the defendant, the insurance company, and their lawyers.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Lyft Accident Lawsuit in Southfield, Michigan
It is important to get in touch with an experienced law firm shortly after your auto accident so you don’t run into issues with the statute of limitations in Michigan. These statutes govern how long victims have to file their claims. If you wait too long, you may not be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
For personal injuries in Michigan, victims have three years from the date of the incident or the date any injuries were discovered to file a claim. This includes cases involving product liability as well. If a person dies in a Lyft car accident, the surviving family members have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party.
In some circumstances, extensions may be granted to these time limits. For example, if the injured party is a minor under the age of 18, then the time limit does not begin until they are old enough to file a claim. Additionally, if the defendant takes steps to conceal their involvement in the accident, then an extension to the statute of limitations may be granted.
Contact Our Southfield Lyft Accident Lawyers Today!
When an auto accident involving a Lyft driver occurs, working with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers gives you the best chance of winning your case. We have recovered millions in compensation for previous clients for lost income, medical expenses, and the emotional impact of the collision. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront legal costs, and we only receive payment if we win your case. Our fee is deducted from your settlement package.
To get in touch with Southfield rideshare accident lawyers from our firm, call 888-424-5757 or fill out our contact form. You will receive a free consultation and have the chance to ask any questions you have about the claims process or your specific case.