What Do You Do if You’re in a Lyft Accident?

Posted on August 23, 2018 | Written By: iadminlaw

The advent of ridesharing services has brought forward a lot of new opportunities. It’s also presented some new and complicated challenges. For example: what happens if you are injured while riding in a Lyft vehicle? Whose insurance applies? And how can you make sure you receive fair compensation?

To be sure, Lyft accidents can happen. Simply put, any time you get into a motor vehicle, you’re taking a small risk. Dealing with a collision between two drivers can be bad enough, but taking on the added complications of Lyft can make for an even more challenging legal scenario.

In this post, we’ll walk you through some basic guidelines that you might keep in mind, should you ever find yourself injured while riding Lyft. And, we’ll advise on when you should hire a Lyft accident lawyer.

Whose Insurance Applies to Your Lyft Accident?

First, let’s talk about insurance. Whose insurance company is on the hook for any injuries you sustain while riding in a Lyft vehicle?

In some cases, it may be the Lyft driver—particularly if the driver carries a commercial insurance policy that covers any passengers in his or her vehicle. While some rideshare drivers will have this kind of policy, though, it’s definitely not the norm.

And what about Lyft itself? The good news here is that Lyft, like Uber, carries third party insurance that covers personal injuries or property damage that results from an accident. These policies can cover up to $1 million, and they generally kick in when the driver’s personal insurance policies have been depleted. As a passenger, this coverage can offer you some protection—if the Lyft driver is proven to be the at-fault party.

But what about the circumstances when your Lyft driver isn’t at-fault? If it’s the other driver who is to blame, then it’s that driver’s insurance company you will need to tangle with. But of course, there is always the possibility that the driver has no insurance, or that the insurance is inadequate.

And even if the driver does have insurance, dealing with insurance companies is notoriously tricky. Remember: Insurers are not really on your side. They want to minimize their own financial liability—and in some cases, that might mean trying to trick you into contradicting yourself or otherwise botching the integrity of your case.

The upshot of all of this is that, if you want to see a fair compensation—without having to deal with a lot of insurance company hassle—your best bet is to hire an experienced Lyft car accident lawyer.

What to Do After a Lyft Accident

But let’s back up for a moment. While it’s advisable to seek a Lyft accident lawyer, that’s not necessarily your first course of action. Here’s a quick rundown of what you should do following a Lyft accident (or really any automobile accident):

1. Make sure everyone is safe. Your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of the other participants, is the top priority. Always take a moment to ensure everyone is safe before you do anything else.
2. Call the authorities. Lyft actually encourages you to call 911 in the event of an accident, and we agree with them. Make sure the proper medical authorities are dispatched, and also get a police officer on the scene.
3. Talk to the police. You’ll want to be sure you give your full story to the police officer who arrives. Should you wind up in court, the police officer’s report can provide a meaningful basis of fact.
4. Gather information from the other drivers. It’s always wise to collect the names and contact information from the drivers who were involved, including your Lyft driver. Also collect information from any witnesses who were present.
5. Seek medical care. Even if you don’t think you sustained any injuries, it’s important to go to the urgent care or ER nearest you to get checked out. You may have injuries that just haven’t manifested themselves yet.
6. Keep records. Make sure you hold onto documentation for any medical appointments you have, and also that you track any expenses you incur as a result of the accident. These will be necessary as you seek compensation.
7. Stay current with medical care. If your doctor advises you to have physical therapy, or to come in for a follow-up appointment, make sure you do so. Again, it’s important to do this even if you don’t think you need it.
8. Don’t talk to insurance companies. Avoid making any statements to insurance companies without having your Lyft car accident lawyer present. Remember, insurance adjustors may try to trick you or trip you up somehow.
9. Don’t accept checks. If an insurance company sends you a check, don’t accept it! Doing so may mean you can’t seek any further compensation, and you could wind up with a lot less than what you really deserve.
10. Lean on your Lyft accident lawyer. Ensure that you know a lawyer who specializes in rideshare-related cases, and defer to his or her expertise whenever you need to. I Accident Lawyer fits the bill.

Finding the Right Lyft Accident Lawyer

As for that last point, there are a number of advantages you can expect from hiring a Lyft accident lawyer. Lyft accident lawyers can:

• Evaluate your case and let you know how much it’s worth.
• Help you cover any out-of-pocket expenses you incur.
• Seek reimbursement for medical costs you accrue.
• Deal with all contact/negotiations with insurance companies.
• Fight for the maximum monetary compensation.

Here at I Accident Lawyer, we only represent those who have been injured in car accidents—never big companies or insurers. And, we have special expertise handing Lyft accident cases.

We are available 24/7 to consult on your case, and we will always fight for you to receive the maximum monetary compensation. To learn more about our services as Lyft car accident lawyers, contact I Accident Lawyer today.