Lyft is a nationwide ridesharing company with drivers logging into an app to look for people searching for a ride. Should a crash occur while a Lyft driver is on duty, the process of filing a claim is similar to any other accident case. However, determining liability is the first step in understanding with whom’s insurance company you should file your claim. If you suffered an injury in an accident involving a Lyft driver, a Lyft accident lawyer could help you calculate your damages and file a claim with the appropriate insurer. First, consider who is responsible for your injuries.
How Does a Lyft Accident Case Differ From Other Auto Accident Cases?
Recovering damages in a Lyft accident case starts with identifying the type of accident and the parties involved. The possible circumstances surrounding a Lyft accident case include:
- A Lyft driver hit your car. If the Lyft driver was negligent, you could file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance company or Lyft’s insurance policy, depending on whether or not the driver was on duty at the time of the crash.
- You were a passenger getting a ride from Lyft when your driver caused an accident. You could sue the Lyft driver for negligence. In this case, the company’s insurance would likely cover damages because the accident occurred during a Lyft ride.
- You were a passenger in a Lyft vehicle hit by a negligent driver. In this case, the other driver is responsible and should cover the damages you suffered.
- You were a pedestrian hit by a negligent Lyft driver. Pedestrians have the same rights to compensation as any other victim in an auto accident case. Depending on whether the Lyft driver was on duty at the time of the accident, you would sue either the driver or the company for compensation.
A Lyft accident lawyer’s role in the aftermath of the collision is to provide you with legal representation to ensure you have everything you need to recover all your losses, starting with knowing where to file your claim.
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Where Do You File Your Claim?
There are multiple avenues to compensation in a Lyft accident case. Which one you take depends on the circumstances of your collision. For example, if you were a passenger in a Lyft vehicle when the driver caused an accident, you may file a claim through Lyft’s insurance policy. However, you may also use personal injury protection insurance if you have coverage, which may be the best option if you only suffered minor injuries.
No-Fault Insurance Coverage
Utah has a no-fault auto insurance mandate for licensed individuals in the state who own a vehicle. Non-residents of Utah must purchase no-fault insurance, also known as personal injury protection coverage, if they are physically present in Utah for 90 days or more. If you suffered an injury as a passenger and did not have your own PIP policy, you could still access coverage through the driver or a household member with no-fault insurance.
No-fault insurance aims to allow victims of auto accidents to access compensation for medical care and lost wages without the need to prove liability. However, there are some disadvantages to PIP. For example, it does not cover property damage or non-economic losses. Additionally, you only have limited coverage for economic losses. To accommodate situations involving severe injuries and significant damages, Utah has a threshold for injury. This means you can bypass your PIP policy and file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance if your injuries meet the injury threshold requirements, which include medical bills of $3,000 or more and injuries that qualify as permanent disability, disfigurement, or impairment.
Lyft Insurance Coverage
If the Lyft driver is at fault and you are a passenger in the Lyft vehicle, you can access compensation through the Lyft company insurance provided while drivers are active on the app. During a ride, Lyft covers $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability and personal injury protection for the driver and passenger.
If the Lyft driver is at fault and hit your vehicle, where you file your claim depends on whether or not the driver was on duty. For example:
- If the driver was not logged into the app, you could file a claim with your own PIP insurance to cover some damages.
- If the driver was not on duty and you suffered severe injuries, you could bypass your PIP coverage and file a claim through the driver’s insurance company.
- If the driver was on duty, Lyft provides $50,000 per person for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
If you speak with a Lyft accident lawyer, they will help you decide which avenue for pursuing compensation is more appropriate, given the circumstances of your accident. Keep in mind that should you file a claim with Lyft’s insurance company, you may receive significant pushback. This is because large company insurers fight hard to protect the financial interests of their company and their clients.
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What Damages Can You Recover From a Lyft Accident?
Damages specifically refer to the losses for which you can recover financial compensation. For example, in an auto accident case, compensatory damages include:
- Economic damages. These are the objective financial losses associated with your case. They include medical bills for emergency treatment, medications, surgeries, ambulance expenses, necessary medical devices, prolonged therapy for severe injuries, lost wages, and damage to your property.
- Non-economic damages. These are the psychological losses associated with your injuries and the accident. They can include pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
Calculating damages is a pertinent part of a Lyft accident lawyer’s job. They investigate the crash to find evidence of negligence and evaluate your case to look for proof of your losses. This part of the legal process ensures you receive a fair settlement.
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What Are the Benefits of Working With a Lyft Accident Lawyer?
Like any other type of auto accident, a crash involving a Lyft driver can result in significant losses. However, there is some civil court reprieve for the victims of negligence. You can file a claim with the insurance company or a lawsuit with the court. Still, either way, you would benefit from hiring legal representation to ensure the protection of your rights, including getting fair value for your claim. Some benefits of working with a Lyft accident lawyer include:
- Having a legal professional to argue with insurance adjusters in your place
- Knowing that every form of damages you suffered is efficiently calculated and included in your total compensation
- Not needing to collect all the evidence you need to support your negligence claim as well as your claim for damages
- Knowing your paperwork is without mistakes that could delay your claim
- Having access to the resources your lawyer provides to support your claim, including expert witnesses and professional testimonies
Your attorney will also be a friend, someone with experience helping people from similar situations. At Siegfried and Jensen, we have been fighting for our clients since 1990. A quick talk with us on the phone for free could be the difference between a high settlement and devastating financial struggles. Our experienced Lyft Accident attorneys deal with car crash cases daily. There is little they have not seen, and you can schedule a free consultation to speak with one today. Just contact Siegfried and Jensen for your case evaluation.
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