When you get into a Lyft, you expect to arrive at your destination safely. Unfortunately, an accident can result in grave injuries due to the actions of the Lyft driver or another party. We understand how stressful this can be and want to help make your recovery process easier. The lawyers at MG Law can help you recover the compensation you deserve. You may be wondering, Does Lyft pay for damages in an accident? The answer is yes. You can recover losses from the rideshare company. However, you could also receive compensation for your injuries from the driver’s own insurance company.
What Is Lyft Accident Insurance?
You are probably wondering, Does Lyft pay for damages in an accident? Lyft carries liability insurance for accidents involving Lyft drivers. There are two periods during which Lyft’s coverage will apply:
- When a driver has the app on, and they are waiting for a ride request, and
- When the driver is on their way to pick up a passenger or is completing a fare.
When a driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride request, Lyft’s insurance coverage provides the following:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury,
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and
- $25,000 per accident for damage to property.
When a driver is en route to pick up a passenger or is completing a fare, Lyft’s insurance provides the following coverage:
- At least $1,000,000 of third-party auto liability coverage,
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage that covers up to the actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible if the driver has comprehensive and collision coverage of their own.
Lyft provides several kinds of insurance for both drivers and passengers, including:
- Contingent liability insurance,
- Contingent comprehensive coverage,
- Contingent collision coverage, and
- Primary auto liability coverage.
You might be wondering, Can you sue Lyft? The answer is yes, and we are here to help. The Lyft accident lawyers at MG Law can evaluate the facts of your case and help you understand your options.
Who Pays Your Medical Bills After a Lyft Accident?
Whether Lyft’s insurance coverage will apply will depend on whether the Lyft driver was logged into the app and waiting for a ride request or was picking up or completing a fare. If the Lyft driver was not waiting for a ride or handling a fare, then their personal auto insurance coverage will apply. If another driver was at-fault for your Lyft accident, then their insurance company could pay your medical expenses. Keep in mind these payments come only at the end of the settlement process. Some of the expenses you can receive compensation for include the following:
- Emergency room visits,
- Ambulance bills,
- Medication,
- Hospitalization, and
- Medical supplies.
Finally, if you were a Lyft passenger or driver and the driver who caused your accident is uninsured or underinsured, Lyft’s underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage might be available.
Steps to Receiving Compensation from a Lyft Accident
There are several steps you should take to help you receive compensation for injuries you suffered in a Lyft accident.
Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you have only minor injuries, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Sometimes, symptoms do not appear until hours or even days after an accident. This is because the adrenaline from a car accident can temporarily mask injury symptoms. You might have injuries you aren’t even aware of. That’s why getting medical attention as soon as possible is important. Medical records can also serve as important evidence for your compensation claim.
Gather Contact Information
After the collision, you should take note of each driver’s contact information. This includes writing down their names, insurance information, license plate numbers, and driver’s license numbers. If you can, you should also get the names and contact information of other parties involved in the accident and any witnesses.
Call Your Insurance Company
If you were in an accident involving a Lyft driver, you should call your insurance company as soon as possible after the collision. Many insurance providers require that you report the accident right away. This is true even if the fault rested with the other driver. Your policy information will tell you how long you have to report an accident.
Take Photos
If you can, you should take photos of each vehicle involved in the accident. This will serve as crucial evidence later on when you file your claim. Also, take pictures of your injuries, if possible, as well as skid marks and other damage.
Gather Other Evidence
Collecting evidence helps you prove who is liable for your injuries. The lawyers at MG Law can help you collect and present evidence to insurance companies or at trial. Some of the ways we can assist you in gathering evidence include the following:
- Interviewing witnesses and documenting their statements,
- Obtaining circumstantial evidence about the accident,
- Analyzing police reports, and
- Collecting documents from the rideshare company.
Whether you are pursuing an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit against Lyft, the lawyers at MG Law can help you gather the evidence you need to strengthen your compensation claim.
Ensure You Meet the Time Limit
It is essential to meet the statute of limitations when filing your claim. The statute of limitations provides the deadline you need to file your lawsuit by. In Georgia, you will have two years from the date of your accident to file your claim. However, there are certain exceptions that might give you more or less time to file. At MG Law, our experienced car accident attorneys can help you meet this important deadline and determine if an exception applies to your case.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
After a Lyft crash, you can potentially receive compensation for your injuries. There are multiple kinds of damages that victims of a collision can recover. The two main kinds of damages are economic damages and noneconomic damages. These damages include the following:
- Current and future medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Property damage,
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress, and
- Disfigurement.
If you have suffered any of these types of injuries, MG Law can help you calculate your damages to make sure you are asking for all of the compensation you are eligible to receive.
Potential Causes of Lyft Accidents
Determining the cause of an accident is crucial to help you figure out who might be liable. Some common reasons for a Lyft accident might involve:
- Drunk driving,
- Distracted driving,
- Ignoring traffic rules,
- Speeding,
- Fatigue, and
- Vehicle defects.
The experienced car accident attorneys at MG Law can investigate your crash and identify all of the potential causes and all of the potentially liable parties.
How Our Lawyers Can Assist You
If you have sustained injuries in a Lyft accident, you should not have to go through the recovery process alone. One of our firm’s fundamental values is service, and we show our commitment to that value by giving every client the personal attention they deserve. Our team of experienced, hardworking lawyers can help you hold the parties responsible for your Lyft accident accountable. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Michael Geoffroy’s law practice focuses on auto collisions, premises liability, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury. He stands up for the cause of justice throughout Georgia and on behalf of his clients every day. He is a leader in both the courtroom and the community, having been recognized numerous times for his involvement in each.