Summary
- Lyft accidents can result from the negligent driving behavior of the Lyft driver or other drivers on the road
- Lyft is a rideshare application that allows people without access to a vehicle or public transportation to commute for a fee
- Lyft has an insurance policy that can cover damages if the Lyft driver had their application turned on at the time of the accident
- Lyft accident victims whose damages are not covered by insurance can file a civil claim or lawsuit with the at-fault party to pursue compensation for damages
Since the early 2010s, people have had more options for their commute due to the advent of rideshare applications like Lyft, which allow passengers to order rides. However, these drivers are human like the rest of us and can make mistakes behind the wheel, leading to a Lyft accident.
Passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers who suffer severe car accident injuries can file a Lyft accident lawsuit to pursue compensation for losses. Rideshare attorneys, like those at The Russo Firm, can use their recent experience helping those injured during Lyft accidents to assist in seeking fair compensatory damages.
How Can The Russo Firm Help With Your Lyft Accident Lawsuit?
The Russo Firm has helped victims of car accidents in states like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona for decades. They understand how a car collision can affect someone’s life, as victims can suffer from severe physical, emotional, and mental impacts from a car accident.
The car accident lawyers at The Russo Firm can use their significant experience helping car accident victims nationwide to assist with your claim. The Russo Firm’s lawyers have also started helping rideshare accident victims pursue compensation for damages caused by a collision involving a Lyft driver or ride.
Our rideshare accident attorneys can use their expertise in rideshare accident claims to explain how you can pursue compensation for damages caused by a Lyft accident. Take advantage of our free consultations to learn from our experienced attorneys how they can help you file a lawsuit to pursue damages caused by a Lyft accident.
The Russo Firm’s Case Results for Automotive Accidents
Victims of personal injury accidents like collisions during Lyft rides can file civil claims or lawsuits to seek financial payment. At The Russo Firm, our lawyers have a track record of earning fair settlements and court awards for our clients to pay for the losses suffered due to the negligence of a liable party.
Our attorneys can use their skills as settlement negotiators and trial lawyers to assist in earning you fair compensation for your damages. Lyft accidents can result in significant financial and mental damages that our lawyers can help earn compensation for by using their trial and settlement expertise.
The following are some of our lawyers’ case results they’ve earned for clients:
- $3 Million for a TBI Caused by a Car Accident
- $2 Million for a Wrongful Death Caused by a Truck Accident
- $1.75 Million for a Product Liability Claim
- $290 Thousand for a Hip Surgery After a Car Accident
- $155 Thousand following an Uber Accident
What Can Cause a Lyft Accident?
Lyft accidents commonly result from similar causes of car accidents: negligent driving behavior. This is when a motorist engages in reckless driving that involves driving over the speed limit, making rash decisions behind the wheel, and breaking road rules.
When a Lyft driver fails to follow road laws, they can crash directly into another driver and cause significant physical impact to victims. These drivers who drive recklessly can be held liable for this behavior in a Lyft accident lawsuit where the victim holds them and their insurance company accountable for damages.
The following are some common causes of Lyft accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Road rage
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Tailgating
- Unsignaled lane changes
- Failing to observe right-of-way laws
Severe Car Accident Injuries Someone Can Suffer During a Lyft Accident
During a Lyft accident, a passenger or the driver can sustain significant blunt force trauma. A direct blow from a vehicle or hard object can damage the body. The shoulders, face, neck, back, arms, and legs can all sustain significant damage from a heavy blow that can lead to a serious car accident injury.
Pedestrians can also sustain these severe injuries when a Lyft driver loses control of their automobile and crashes directly into them. Without protection, pedestrians can suffer potentially life-threatening injuries during an accident. The long-term impact of a car accident injury depends on the severity of the collision and what body part sustains harm.
The following are some injuries caused by a Lyft accident:
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Knee injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Shoulder injuries
- Whiplash
- Burn injuries
- Organ damage
- Crush injuries
- Internal injuries
What Types of Car Accidents Can Happen in a Lyft?
When a driver recklessly fails to follow road rules, they can cause a Lyft accident that exposes other drivers, pedestrians, and passengers to significant bodily harm. There are many types of car accidents that can involve Lyft drivers, with the type of accident depending on how the car accident occurs.
Lyft accidents can occur when the negligent driver crashes into another vehicle’s front, back, or side. Each type of car accident can expose people in a car to blunt force trauma, with the person located close to the impact point most likely to experience bodily harm.
The following are the types of car accidents that can occur in a Lyft:
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
Lyft Driver Liability for Causing a Severe Accident
After experiencing a Lyft accident that results in losses, the victim can file a Lyft accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. While there are many factors that could contribute to an accident, the most likely is the poor driving of a motorist. If a Lyft driver fails to follow road rules and causes an automobile accident, they can be held liable in a civil claim.
The Lyft driver failed to uphold the duty of safety they owe their passenger and the others they share the road with. Others suffered significant bodily harm because of the mistakes they made behind the wheel, which can leave them financially liable for the damages each victim suffered as a result of their negligence.
Can Lyft Be Held Liable for an Accident Involving One of Their Drivers?
When a Lyft driver is accepting rides through the application or picked up a passenger for a ride, many assume accidents during this time may leave Lyft partially liable. However, just because a Lyft driver causes a car accident does not necessarily mean they have to share liability for damages caused by the accident.
Lyft drivers are independent contractors, meaning the company would not have the same level of vicarious responsibility as a bus, taxi, or trucking company. Lyft drivers are not employees of the rideshare company. Lyft’s insurance policy can pay for a percentage of damages, but any excess compensation required would have to come through a civil claim with the driver.
What Should You Do After a Lyft Accident?
After a car crash during a Lyft ride, there are many steps you should take to help recover from your injuries and build your case for a Lyft accident claim. In the immediate aftermath, you should take photos and videos of the accident scene. Visual evidence can help prove the at-fault party’s liability. You should also exchange contact information with everyone involved.
Victims of an accident should also go to the hospital after a car accident to have a medical professional diagnose and treat their severe injuries before they get worse. Other steps a victim of an accident caused by Lyft can take include notifying Lyft of the accident, filing a police report after the accident, writing down every crucial detail they can remember, and hiring a rideshare accident attorney.
Pursuing Compensation for Lyft Accident Damages
If you suffered significant losses because of a Lyft accident, you could file a lawsuit or civil claim to seek payment from the at-fault party’s insurance provider. They can be financially liable for any damages caused by them breaching the duty of care they owe a rider, pedestrian, or other driver.
Drivers must follow road rules and drive safely, or they could cause injuries and damages through a car crash. Vvictims can pursue compensation for economic damages with bills or financial value attached to them. They can also seek non-economic damages for how the accident affected their quality of life and mental health.
Victims of an accident caused by Lyft can pursue the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost earning potential
- Lost wages
- Loss of parental services
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
Those injured in a Lyft accident should hire a car accident lawyer. An experienced car attorney can use their expertise from previous claims involving rideshare accidents to guide you through the civil claim or lawsuit process. They can explain what steps you must take and the most efficient way to handle each step.
The following are some ways a rideshare lawyer can help after a Lyft accident:
- Determine the value of your rideshare accident damages
- Assess which parties can share liability for the accident
- File the paperwork required for your claim or lawsuit
- Accumulate evidence to prove liability
- Contact witnesses to help prove the at-fault party’s liability
- Negotiate a settlement with the liable party’s insurer
Contact The Russo Firm for Assistance With Your Lyft Accident Claim
The Russo Firm’s lawyers have experience over the last decade helping those injured in rideshare accidents. They can use this expertise to assist Lyft accident victims in recovering fair compensation for car accident damages caused by another party’s negligence.
We understand the negative effects of car accidents on aspects of someone’s life, including their health, quality of life, and mental health. Our rideshare lawyers wish to use their vast experience to assist you in handling your Lyft accident claim. Contact us today at (561) 270-0913 for a free Lyft case evaluation or fill out the message form on our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lyft Accidents
Are There Differences Between Lyft and Uber Accidents?
Lyft and Uber are ridesharing companies that allow people to order drivers to pick them up and drop them off at a different location for a fee. Both Lyfts and Ubers can be in accidents and may require legal assistance. Drivers who are independent contractors for both companies can make errors while driving, leading to automobile accidents.
There are many similarities between how an accident involving both companies can play out. Drivers for both can be held liable, with the company likely escaping any liability. They also have insurance policies to help pay for a percentage of a victim’s damages.
Does Lyft Have an Insurance Policy for Injured Riders?
Lyft does have an insurance policy that can cover damages in certain situations. If a Lyft driver causes an accident when their application is off, Lyft’s insurance coverage will not apply to the accident. The victim must seek compensation from the driver’s personal insurance coverage.
When a driver is logged into Lyft while waiting for a ride request, Lyft’s insurance covers $50,000 and $100,000 per person per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. If the Lyft driver has accepted a ride, Lyft’s insurance covers $1 million for third-party liability.
How Can Pedestrians Recover Compensatory Damages After Getting Struck By a Lyft Driver?
While a large majority of Lyft accidents will involve other drivers or riders, pedestrians can also sustain severe injuries from a Lyft collision. A Lyft driver who drives recklessly may crash directly into a pedestrian and cause them to suffer significant bodily harm. The pedestrian can file a civil claim or lawsuit with the driver’s insurance company in this case.
Pedestrians have as much right to financial compensation after suffering injuries and damages caused by negligent Lyft drivers. Pedestrian victims should contact a lawyer with experience handling rideshare and pedestrian accidents to put them in the best spot to recover full compensation for their damages.
