Can You Sue Lyft For an Accident?
Rideshare apps have made getting around easy, however, if your Lyft driver has been in an accident, knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming. Lyft accident claims often involve multiple insurance policies and questions about liability. This post breaks down your legal options after a Lyft accident, who may be at fault, and how working with Postman Law’s rideshare accident attorneys as soon as possible will help protect your rights and maximize your compensation.
Can You Sue Lyft?
Lyft classifies its drivers as independent contractors, so the company usually claims that it isn’t liable for the driver’s negligence. But depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be able to recover damages through Lyft’s insurance. The main factor is what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash. Were they off the app, waiting for a ride request, or had a passenger in their car.
What if a Rideshare Driver Causes a Car Accident?
One of the most complicated aspects of a Lyft accident is figuring out the driver’s ride status and how it impacts liability. If a Lyft driver runs a red light, is texting while driving, or makes an illegal turn that results in a crash, they are at-fault. Whether you are a passenger in the Lyft, a pedestrian, or the driver of the other car, you have the right to seek compensation. To prove the Lyft driver was negligent, evidence needs to show that the driver’s actions directly caused the accident. Police reports, witness statements, medical records, and dashcam footage are important pieces of evidence for your claim.
Prioritize Your Health & Safety
Your safety comes first so if possible, move to a safe location and call 911. Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention immediately because adrenaline from being in a car crash can mask common accident injuries. Getting a medical evaluation also creates an official record of your injuries that links them to the crash, which will be vital for a future claim.
Gather Evidence
Gathering evidence at the scene of the accident is important because it supports your claim and helps ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. If possible:
- Take photos of all vehicles involved, the damage, street signs, and overall scene of the crash.
- Get contact from the Lyft driver, any other drivers that were involved, and witnesses.
- Take a screenshot of your Lyft app showing the ride details, driver information, and the route.
Report the Car Accident to Lyft
If your Lyft driver has been in a car accident, you need toreport the accident to Lyft. You can do this through the safety section of the app. Lyft will assign an investigator to look into the claim, so it’s important to let your attorney handle any communication with them because their goal is to try and minimize the amount of money they pay out.
Does Lyft Have Insurance?
Lyft has insurance coverage, but it depends on the driver’s status on the app. Understanding these different coverage “periods” will usually determine which insurance policy will cover your claim.
The Lyft App is Off
If the Lyft app is off, the driver is considered off-duty, so Lyft’s insurance doesn’t apply. An accident claim needs to be filed with the driver’s personal auto insurance.
The App is On, Waiting for a Ride
If a Lyft driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride request and they cause an accident, their personal auto insurance is still the primary coverage. However, many personal auto policies deny coverage if the driver is using the car for commercial purposes. If the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim, Lyft provides contingent liability coverage. This usually includes $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
A Lyft Driver Accepted a Ride or a Passenger is in the Car
If a Lyft driver has accepted, Lyft’s insurance policy (up to $1 million) covers injuries and damages for accident victims. This policy covers passengers in the vehicle, drivers of other vehicles, and pedestrians.
What if Multiple Cars Were Involved in a Lyft Accident?
In certain states, liability for an accident can be shared among multiple parties if more than one contributed to the crash, based on comparative fault rules. If you’re in Ohio or Illinois, learn how comparative fault can impact your settlement.
Should I Hire a Lawyer For a Lyft Accident?
If your Lyft driver has been in an accident, dealing with rideshare accident claims can be complex. This is why hiring an experienced Lyft accident attorney at Postman Law is important. We’ll start investigating the accident immediately, make sure your rights are protected, negotiate on your behalf, and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. We have offices in Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, and Minneapolis, but also handle car accident cases nationwide. Our attorneys have secured thousands in compensation for clients, so let us fight for you! Call us at 844-POSTMAN or fill out our online form to set up a no-obligation consultation. We don’t get paid unless you win.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance regarding your situation, consult a licensed attorney.
FAQs
The timeline for a Lyft settlement can vary depending on the complexity of the accident. If liability is clear and damages are minor, a settlement might be reached in a few weeks to a couple of months. If injuries are serious, fault is disputed, or multiple parties are involved, settlements can take several months or over a year.
Because Lyft drivers are independent contractors, suing Lyft for a driver’s negligence can be complicated. If you’ve been in a Lyft car accident, contact Postman Law for a free case consultation so we can discuss next steps.
You may be entitled to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other damages depending on the specifics of your case.
Car accident settlements in Chicago and Cook County can range from a few thousand dollars to the upper five figures, and serious injury cases may exceed six figures. There is no standard payout because settlement amounts depend on factors like injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, insurance limits, fault, and pain and suffering.
It depends on who was at fault and whether the driver was logged into their rideshare app. Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability coverage when a ride is in progress, which may cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
If another driver caused your rideshare crash, their insurance typically pays first. If they don’t have enough coverage or are uninsured, you may be able to pursue compensation through the rideshare company’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
The deadline depends on your state’s statute of limitations. In many states, you have between one to three years to file a personal injury claim.
Nothing! Postman Law works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. We only charge a fee if we win your case or secure a settlement for you. The fee is typically a percentage of the total compensation you receive.
Postman Law specializes in personal injury cases, including car and truck accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, workplace injuries, and more. Our attorneys have secured over $3 billion for more than 1.4 million clients.
We move quickly to gather evidence, thoroughly investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court when necessary. You pay nothing up front. We only collect a fee if we secure compensation for you.
Throughout your case, we stay in close communication, answering your questions, explaining your options, and guiding you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.
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