You may be entitled to financial compensation if you have suffered an injury in a Lyft accident. However, the system that Lyft has established makes your life much more difficult when seeking a settlement check. You can face obstacles before you receive your settlement, and you will likely deal with many frustrations and red tape.
The best way to strengthen your legal position and navigate these barriers is to hire an experienced San Antonio Lyft accident attorney. When dealing with insurance companies, you need someone to look out for you. An attorney can protect and fight for your right to compensation for your Lyft accident injuries.
The Rideshare System is Inherently Dangerous
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have put many traditional taxi cab companies out of business, taking over much of the transportation on-demand business. This shift has many benefits for consumers, who can get rides quicker and for less money than a taxicab. However, the rideshare industry has also introduced several dangers and risks that passengers and other road drivers must bear.
Lyft drivers are often people who are working second jobs after an entire shift at their regular job. They are under pressure and doing everything they can to maximize their earnings. At the same time, rideshare companies also often cut corners regarding rider safety, no matter how much they like to run commercials that try to reassure you and make you feel safe.
How Insurance Coverage Works After a Lyft Accident
Every Lyft driver who picks up passengers is going to have insurance. At the very minimum, Lyft provides a policy with some coverage. Since drivers can be personally liable for injuries they cause, many will purchase supplemental coverage, over and above what Lyft provides.
The following levels and types of coverage apply to a Lyft accident:
- If the Lyft driver is in their car and they do not have their app on, the driver's auto insurance coverage will apply and cover any accidents.
- If the app is on, but the driver has not yet accepted a ride request, there is $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
- If the Lyft driver has accepted a ride request or there is a passenger in the car, then there is $1 million in coverage on a per-accident basis.
While $1 million seems to be a headline-grabbing number, it is not nearly as large as you think when you have suffered a severe injury in a Lyft accident. Further, there may be numerous people who are all trying to gain access to the same policy. $1 million is not the maximum for your injuries; it is the ceiling for the entire accident for all the people involved in the crash.
You Might File a Lawsuit Against Lyft's Insurance Company After the Accident
You might sue Lyft's insurance company after an accident. Prominent on Lyft's website is a mention of its "trusted insurance partners." Simply stated, if a for-profit company like Lyft says that it trusts an insurance company, you should not trust that company. Lyft pays the insurance companies significant premiums and tries to wash its hands of your problems and injuries.
Lyft works with the following insurance companies:
- Mobilitas
- State Farm
- Progressive
- Liberty Mutual
- Allstate
All of These Insurance Companies Have a Reputation for Playing Hardball with Claims
None of these insurance companies have a particularly good reputation for doing right by accident victims who file claims. Instead, there are decades' worth of horror stories of how they pushed around accident victims and cost them money. If you deal with any of these insurance companies in a Lyft claim, you must be cautious and hire a car accident attorney immediately. Otherwise, you can be left with the short end of the stick when you get a settlement check for far less than you deserve (if you even receive one).
Who May Be Responsible for Your Lyft Accident Injuries
Lyft accident cases have the same rules as any personal injury case. To qualify for financial compensation, someone must have been negligent and caused your accident. If you were a passenger in the rideshare car, there are the following scenarios:
- The rideshare driver was to blame for the accident that injured you. You and the car's driver and passengers will potentially file claims against the insurance policy.
- The driver of the other car involved in the accident was legally responsible; therefore, you will file a claim against their insurance policy.
- Both drivers shared the blame for the accident. Thus, both insurance companies will split the payment of your damages.
It may take some investigation to determine the cause of the accident. An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can help establish who was to blame and where you will need to go to claim your compensation. There are some close cases where either driver can be responsible for your injuries, and each may tell a different story.
Filing a Claim for a Lyft Accident Injury
Once you know the responsible party, you must file a claim against their insurance policy. Lyft's insurance policy should protect the driver because they act in their own capacity and are personally liable for your damages.
You will then file the actual claim or lawsuit. You will often begin dealing directly with the insurance company instead of starting your case in court. Your lawyer will include evidence that should prove liability in your claim, along with documentation supporting the damages you seek.
The insurance company will take its time to closely review your case, trying to find a strategy that it can use to cost you money.
Lyft's Insurance Company May Not Respond How You Expect
The insurance company will respond to your claim by denying it or offering a settlement offer. If you were a passenger who suffered an injury in the accident, Lyft's insurance company might be on much shakier ground when it declines to pay your claim. If you were another driver in an accident with the Lyft driver, the insurance company may try to point a finger at you.
If the insurance company does make you a settlement offer, it is certainly not a cause for rejoicing. The initial offer may show how far you must go until you can reach a settlement, and the early offers are likely to be for pennies on the dollar. Your attorney must continue negotiations to get you more compensation. You can expect the insurance company to raise its settlement offer under pressure from your lawyer.
You Can File a Lawsuit if the Insurance Company Will Not Pay What You Deserve
There may come a point where you have to sue Lyft's insurance company to get fairer compensation for your injuries. Sometimes, you can draw a line and take some of the power out of the insurance company's hands. Insurance companies do not get to decide anything in your case. They can make settlement offers that you decide whether to accept, and if you cannot reach a compensation agreement, the jury will decide.
Note that insurance companies rarely let things go that far. They may try to see what they can get away with, but they also know that a jury may not see things their way and can order them to pay more. Insurance companies are also conscious that they do not have unlimited power to act however they want. They can be potentially subject to a bad faith lawsuit if they push things too far. Hiring a Lyft accident lawyer is an excellent way to remind insurance companies that they do not have unlimited power and are accountable under the law.
Suing Lyft in Some Circumstances
There are certain limited circumstances in which you can sue Lyft. Random drivers will come to Lyft off the street, and they can have you in the back of their car within days. During that time, Lyft should check the driver's history and criminal record to ensure safety. A basic check can often weed out drivers that may put you and your family in danger.
There have been numerous instances in which Lyft has cut corners and not performed the promised background checks. In some cases, passengers have been the victim of brutal sexual assaults by Lyft drivers. In other instances, Lyft did not adequately screen hazardous drivers who went on to cause serious accidents. In those cases, you can sue Lyft directly. Recently, there have been over 200 sexual assault cases filed against Lyft, and the company has had to face a federal judge in multidistrict litigation.
The days of Lyft trying to hide behind legal formalities to evade responsibilities for its shortcomings while continuing to make large profits may rapidly draw to a close. A Lyft accident attorney will review your situation to determine the best way to get total compensation after your accident injuries.
Why You Need a Lyft Accident Attorney for Your Case
No matter the circumstance, you always need a rideshare accident attorney to handle your case. Insurance companies see tens of thousands of claims each month, and they see it as an opportunity to save money. The only way an adjuster will listen to what you say is if it comes through your attorney.
Your rideshare accident attorney can do the following in your case:
- Investigate the cause of your Lyft accident and determine who may be held responsible
- Compile the proof of liability that you will need to submit with your claim
- Estimate the value of your case after reviewing your facts and circumstances
- Prepare the insurance claim and file it with the insurance company
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, keeping you from having to engage in too many of the details of the case
- Negotiate total and fair financial compensation for your Lyft accident injuries.
- File a lawsuit if you cannot reach a settlement, hopefully getting some measure of accountability from the insurance company
Lyft's Insurance Companies Will Push Around Claimants Who Do Not Have a Lawyer
Insurance companies will not take you seriously if you try to deal with them alone. They respond to threats, however, and their biggest fear is that you will try to fight them in court. When you hire an experienced attorney to handle your case, insurance companies know you have someone who can take legal action to hold them accountable when they try to take advantage of you.
The aftermath of a Lyft accident can be a stressful and confusing experience. If you find yourself in this situation, always remember that you have rights and options. One of the most important options is hiring a Lyft accident lawyer. The great news is that you don't have to worry about the cost, as hiring a Lyft accident lawyer does not cost you anything upfront.
It Does Not Cost You Anything Upfront to Hire a Lyft Accident Lawyer
When you hire a Lyft accident lawyer, they typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they successfully recover your compensation and will take a percentage of the settlement as their fee. This arrangement allows you to pursue your claim without worrying about the financial burden of hiring an attorney.
Having an experienced Lyft accident lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. They have the knowledge and experience to navigate the legal process and advocate for your rights. They will handle all communication and negotiations and ensure the insurance company does not exploit you.
In addition to handling the legal aspects of your case, a Lyft accident lawyer will also help gather evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts to build a strong case on your behalf. They will fight to maximize your compensation, including damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Hiring a Lyft accident lawyer is your best option after a Lyft accident. Not only does it not cost you anything upfront, it also gives you the best chance of receiving the compensation you deserve. Don't hesitate to reach out to a Lyft accident lawyer if you need help after an accident. They are there to guide you through the process and protect your legal rights.