You were riding in a Lyft vehicle and suffered an injury in a car accident. Can you sue Lyft after your accident injury? Unfortunately, the answer is maybe. You may have the right to compensation from the at-fault party after a car accident, and Lyft may or may not be one of the parties on the hook. It depends on the situation.

Let’s take a closer look at this critical question below. If you suffered an injury in a recent ride-share accident, you should speak to an experienced Augusta rideshare accident attorney today.

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Lyft Loves To Promote Its Safety Programs, But…

Lyft has incorporated several safety procedures for its contracting drivers to ensure the safety of passengers. These procedures include safe driving standards that drivers should obey to avoid crashes and driver background checks to ensure they are safe drivers.

One of Lyft’s required programs is a safety class sponsored by RAINN, an anti-sexual violence group. The firm also uses regular criminal monitoring to check drivers’ records. These programs help check how safe a driver is. If a driver has too many red flags, the company can deactivate their profile. For example, Lyft can deactivate a driver with recent criminal convictions.

The RAINN-backed safety class also helps Lyft drivers create a safe place for all passengers and informs them of legal conversations they can have with their riders.

Despite Lyft’s safety efforts, Lyft riders continue to sustain injuries in auto accidents or due to driver error. If this happens, you should discuss your legal options with a licensed auto accident lawyer today.

How Liability Is Determined After A Lyft Accident

Like any auto accident, several parties can be at fault for a crash with a Lyft car. These include:

  • The Lyft driver was negligent and hit another vehicle when you were a passenger.
  • The Lyft driver was negligent and hit a car that you are driving.
  • Another driver caused the accident and hit the Lyft car you were in.
  • The Lyft driver was negligent and hit you when you were walking or riding a bike.

Determining who was negligent in the accident is critical to determining who must pay for your damages. Your auto accident lawyer will investigate the crash to understand the details and help find the liable party or parties.negligent hiring

If a third party was liable for the accident, you can file a personal injury claim with their insurance company. If the Lyft driver caused the accident, additional legal and insurance work will be necessary to determine which insurance company will pay. It usually boils down to whether the Lyft driver was ferrying a passenger when the crash happened.

Suppose the Lyft driver had you as a passenger when the crash occurred, and you broke your arm. In this case, Lyft’s one million dollar commercial policy will be in effect and cover your damages. If you were not a passenger and a Lyft driver hit your vehicle when the driver wasn’t carrying a passenger, you may need to file a claim with the driver’s auto insurance.

Another scenario: The Lyft driver struck your vehicle and injured you; he was not carrying a passenger BUT was driving to pick up a new fare. The Lyft commercial policy will likely be in effect in this situation, so you may file a claim with Lyft’s insurance carrier.

Did Lyft’s Negligence Cause The Crash?

Lyft has various safety programs to reduce the chances of accidents. However, these programs do not prevent every accident. Crashes occur if Lyft does not correctly review a driver’s background check. All Lyft drivers must pass a background exam before driving for Lyft. However, in a rush to bring in new drivers, Lyft may not always carefully review each driver’s record.

This means that Lyft drivers with a potentially dangerous criminal history can drive for the ride-share firm. If a driver with a criminal history or bad driving record injures you, speak to a ride-share accident attorney today. You can be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other losses.

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How Lyft Drivers’ Independent Contractor Status Affects A Car Accident Claim

A key difference between ride-share and other auto accidents is that Lyft drivers are contractors, not employees. Many people are unaware that Lyft drivers are contractors. These individuals are usually self-employed and may partner with multiple firms to earn a living.

For example, many Lyft independent contractors also drive for Uber and other ride-shares. Employers have substantial control over how their employees work, but much less so for independent contractors.

This is why Lyft may not be liable for your injuries if the driver wasn’t engaged in driving or picking up a passenger when the crash happened. They are not a Lyft employee, so the ride-share company isn’t liable for their actions when they are not actively working. But if the driver was driving a passenger or on the way to pick one up, Lyft may be on the hook for your damages.

The various scenarios in a ride-share crash are complicated, so you need to have a car accident lawyer review your situation promptly. Whether Lyft’s or the driver’s auto insurance covers your damages can matter. The Lyft policy is one million dollars in coverage, while most personal auto insurance policies max out at a fraction of that amount.

Imagine if you suffered a severe injury in a Lyft accident and can’t work for a year. You have $500,000 in losses. Whether the Lyft or personal auto policy covers your damages will probably be a huge factor in your ultimate settlement. Make sure you have hired a car accident attorney to review your case to ensure you maximize your financial recovery.

One of the areas your car accident lawyer will focus on in their investigation is the period when the Lyft accident occurred. Lyft has set up the following periods that dictate the policy that will cover an injured person’s damages:

  • Period 0: This is when the Lyft driver’s app gets shut off. The driver doesn’t anticipate getting a driver request. The driver’s auto insurance applies to any accident the driver causes.
  • Period one: This is when the driver app is on, but they have not had a ride request. During Period one, the driver’s and ‘some’ Lyft coverage can be in effect.
  • Period two is when the driver agrees to a fare in the app and is en route to pick up the rider. Lyft covers any crash that happens in Period 2 in full.
  • Period three is when a Lyft driver has picked up the fare and is going to the destination. Lyft must cover any crash that the driver causes.

As a Lyft rider, I find it clear that Lyft’s insurance policy must cover the situation since the driver was actively working. But if you suffered an injury in another car, you need to know the operating period in effect to know who pays for what.

What If A Driver Is Underinsured?

There can be cases where the Lyft driver or a third-party driver was uninsured or underinsured. If Lyft coverage is in effect, as the ride-share company provides underinsured and uninsured coverage to pay for bodily injuries in an accident.

State law determines whether this coverage is available and whether there is a deductible. Underinsured or uninsured coverage can cover your bills and other damages if your ride-share driver doesn’t have enough insurance.

How A Lyft Auto Accident Attorney Can Help You

After a Lyft auto accident, obtaining enough coverage to pay for your injuries and other damages is important. Lyft is one of the biggest ride-share firms in the US, and you can assume it will have highly skilled attorneys and insurance companies safeguarding corporate interests. The question is, who will protect your interests?

You should retain a top auto accident lawyer to ensure you get the most for your losses. Here is why hiring an attorney after a Lyft crash is so important to your future:

Deal With Insurance Claims

If you’ve read this far, you understand that a Lyft accident is often more complicated than other car crashes. Several potential auto insurance policies may be in effect, each with its processes, deadlines, and insurance adjusters. In this complex insurance environment, having a dedicated lawyer handling all the insurance issues is always helpful. You can focus on healing and your medical treatments while your lawyer handles the rest.

Review Your Damages

Auto Accident SettlementYour auto accident lawyer will also accurately assess your claim’s value. Few non-attorneys understand the actual value of a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Many people assume that the at-fault party should cover their medical bills. That is usually true, but there are often other expenses to consider.

You can receive months of medical care and rehabilitation in the past, present, and future. You might be due months or years of lost earnings, loss of earning ability, and pain and suffering. Only a skilled, seasoned personal injury attorney can accurately value your claim.

Prove Liability

You can say all day that the Lyft driver caused the accident that injured you, but the insurance company won’t take your word for it. The evidence must prove liability. Your attorney can use the evidence to prove Lyft’s liability for your losses.

Your lawyer also can find out if Lyft’s hiring policies were a factor in the accident. If the driver has a bad driving record or criminal history, your lawyer will use that in your favor.

Negotiate An Auto Accident Settlement

Every auto insurance policy aims to reduce what the client pays in claims. You must retain an experienced lawyer to get the best injury settlement.

You may think receiving $10,000 in a Lyft accident settlement is a financial windfall. But this amount may only represent a fraction of your entitlement. You may need future medical care, and we all know how expensive American healthcare is. The lawyer can value your claim accurately and negotiate for the most money.

Deal With Common Lyft Crash Complexities

Filing a claim against Lyft after their driver causes a crash is never a walk in the park. You may face several roadblocks to fair compensation as a Lyft crash victim. But don’t panic: Your car accident attorney can help in these areas:

  • Deal with Lyft’s insurance company as it tries to limit your compensation: Lyft didn’t become a wealthy, large firm by overpaying on insurance claims. Its attorneys and insurance adjusters will try every tactic to reduce what they pay you. They can lowball you, question your injuries, try to blame you for the crash, or cast doubt on your medical treatments.
  • Overcome the independent contractor defense: Lyft may claim it isn’t responsible for the driver’s actions by questioning when and how the crash occurred. Your lawyer may show that Lyft is responsible for the accident based on how and when it occurred.
  • Prove that Lyft’s hiring practices contributed to the accident. This means showing that its hiring practices may have caused the accident and the driver was unqualified.

Lyft has many potential tricks to reduce what it pays or deny the claim outright. Your auto accident attorney won’t let that corporate giant take advantage of you.

How Long Do You Have To File A Lyft Claim?

Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim. For instance, many states allow two years from the date of an accident to file a claim. It’s important to note that your state’s statute of limitations can vary, potentially being more or less than two years. Therefore, consulting with an attorney today is crucial to understand and protect your legal rights.

Contact A Car Accident Attorney Now

Did you suffer an injury in a ride-share accident? Sorting out who will compensate you for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering is a headache. Focus on your recovery and allow a seasoned car accident attorney to handle the insurance headaches. Contact an experienced Augusta personal injury lawyer in your community today for a free consultation.