Lyft Accident Attorney

Miami, Florida

Top-Rated Lyft Accident Attorneys

Lyft's History

Lyft emerged as a ridesharing network in 2012. Based in San Francisco, it is now one of the most popular rideshare companies, second only to Uber. Much like Uber, it transports passengers in more than 600 cities in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada. Some of the primary differences between the two companies’ services include differences in cost, local availability, and the types of services offered.

Lyft’s primary services include:

car rides
food delivery services
scooter rental
bicycle-sharing

Lyft’s first safety report, released in 2019, indicated that between 2017 and 2019 105 people were killed in car accidents involving Lyft vehicles. With the growing popularity of ridesharing companies, like Lyft, there is a growing number of people who find themselves in accidents.

The G Law Group, P.A. is here if you need a Lyft accident lawyer, with expertise in claims against ridesharing services and their insurers.

Requirements for drivers:

At least 21 years of age,
Must have an iPhone or Android
DMV, national, and county background checks (Those convicted of certain crimes are banned)
Drivers must own their own vehicle, which must pass a 19-point inspection for approval.

Lyft Vs. Taxis: What’s The Difference?

Lyft was created with the goal of offering a lower-cost, more convenient and efficient alternative to traditional taxi services. While both taxis and Lyft can provide transportation, one of the main differences between the two is how they are accessible.

Lyft is requested through an application in your smart phone, unlike a traditional taxi, which is either called on the telephone or hailed in person.

Another important distinction between Lyft and taxis are the drivers. For instance, unlike taxi drivers, drivers for Lyft are not professionals. They usually do not hold any commercial driving license, nor have they had any formal driving training. Unlike taxi drivers, Lyft drivers are treated as independent contractors.

This means they are not considered official employees of the ridesharing company. This also means Lyft is not required to provide any formal training to their drivers.

These differences have important implications if you have been injured in an Lyft accident or if you have been assaulted by an Lyft driver. If you have any questions regarding the difference between Lyft and taxicabs do not hesitate to call a Lyft accident lawyer.

Insurance Coverage

Lyft provides liability insurance for its drivers. However, drivers must already have collision and comprehensive coverage from their own personal auto insurance. For an incident to be covered under the company provided liability insurance, it needs to meet several requirements. For example, a passenger must be in the car, and the other driver must be at fault for a Lyft driver’s injuries to be covered.

Lyft’s insurance policies include:

$1,000,000 third-party liability
Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance, the amount of coverage varies substantially state-by state
Contingent comprehensive and collision, up to actual cash value of the vehicle ($2,500 deductible)

Lyft divides its insurance coverage into:

Period 1: Low liability coverage of $50,000 per person injured, $25,000 for property damage, and $100,000 per incident. No collision or comprehensive coverage or UM/UIM coverage
Period 2/3: Lyft has a $1 million liability policy, while UM/UIM is contingent on having personal collision and comprehensive coverage; Lyft’s policy kicks in if your insurer denies your claim but has a $2,500 deductible.

What Should I Do After A Lyft Accident?

Whether you are a driver or passenger, getting into an accident in a Lyft can be a confusing experience. Here are some of the most important things to remember if you are involved in a rideshare accident:

1. Seek immediate medical attention

The number one priority in the event of an accident, is the safety of everyone involved. Immediately check the health of anyone vehicle occupants. In the event of injury, it is important to call for immediate medical assistance as soon as possible. Prolonging seeking medical care may lead to more serious consequences down the road.

Paramedics and EMS can render vital aid immediately at the scene, while also ensuring that you are promptly transported to the hospital. Emergency room physicians will properly diagnosis any resulting injuries and provide the necessary medical attention. Failure to swiftly address injuries resulting from a rideshare accident can not only lead to significant medical problems, but can also delay resolution of your claim.

2. Take down any details of the incident and contact police

Once you have sought medical care for anyone involved, you’ll want to gather as much information and details concerning the accident as you can. This may include taking photos, videos, or jotting down notes. Feel free to use your phone to help you memorialize any details regarding the accident.

Details you may wish to record include:

Photos/videos of any cuts/bruises/scraps/swelling
Any other injuries you may have
Any injuries of other vehicle occupants
Photos/videos of any damage to the vehicles involved
Photos/videos of the accident scene
Screenshot of the trip on your Uber/Lyft app
Photo of the driver’s license plate
Photos/videos of any damages to other drivers, pedestrians, or property
Telephone and other contact information for drivers/witnesses/anyone else on the scene
Insurance information of other drivers or pedestrians involved

Contact the police in order to report the accident, whether you are a driver, passenger, or struck by a Lyft driver. Police officers responding to the scene will prepare a police report, which is crucial when making a claim with Lyft.

3. Contact a Lyft accident attorney to discuss the details of your case

The next step is to call a Lyft accident attorney who can help you understand your rights in the event of accident-related personal injury.

At The G Law Group our top-rated Lyft accident lawyers have the experience necessary to help you obtain every penny you deserve in just compensation. We offer a free initial case evaluation with our Lyft accident lawyers, so that we may answer any questions you have before decided to proceed with making a claim.

4. File a Lyft accident claim, if you choose

If your case is eligible, then our top-rated Lyft accident attorneys will discuss the all the pros and cons associated with making an accident claim with Lyft. However, the final decision on whether to pursue a claim if up to you. As with all of our other cases, the final decision on whether to make a claim or file a lawsuit will rest with you, the client.

Some reasons why you might decide to file a rideshare accident claim:

to secure compensation for property damages not covered by insurance
to secure compensation for uncovered medical bills or other expenses
to secure compensation for lost wages
to secure compensation for pain and suffering caused by the accident

Our Lyft accident attorneys would be happy to explain this process in greater detail once you contact our office, should you have any additional questions.

To find out how much in compensation you are entitled to as a result of your Lyft accident schedule a free case evaluation now!

Insurance Requirements For Rideshare Services

Every driver on the road is required to have personal auto insurance, but rideshare drivers must also opt into the insurance provided by Uber of Lyft. This rideshare insurance can coverage for accident-related injuries, property damage, and vehicle damage. Depending on whether a driver is logged on to the app. or in the process of picking up a passenger, different insurance coverage will apply.

While rideshare companies tend to be treated differently under the law than other transportation services, recent local legislation has vastly changed the landscape nationwide. That is why it is always important to consult a top rated Uber or Lyft accident attorney for a free case evaluation. For a general overview rideshare insurance requirements throughout the country click the link below. Some state specific rideshare statutes can also be found below.

If I Am in an Accident, Is the Lawsuit Filed Against Lyft or the Driver?

Lyft drivers are independent contractors, not employees, which can make it difficult to establish liability. If the driver is not signed into the app or transporting a passenger, Lyft’s policy probably won’t compensate you for the accident, but the driver’s insurance policy should provide the appropriate coverage.

Determining Whether the Lyft Driver Was Negligent

A personal injury claim for a passenger in the Lyft or driver hit by a Lyft must prove the Lyft driver to be negligent. To prove that a driver was being negligent, first, our top-rated Lyft accident attorneys establish that the driver had a duty of care.

All drivers have a responsibility to keep other drivers and their passengers safe while operating their vehicles on the road. This duty of care refers to anything that another reasonable driver would have done in a similar situation.

Then, it must be proven that your driver breached this duty of care by failing to keep you safe, which resulted in your injuries.

Lastly, it must be proven that these injuries resulted in damages. These damages may be financial damages such as expenses for medical care or lost wages or damages related to the pain and suffering you faced due to the incident

Negligent driving may include:

Distracted Driving
Aggressive Driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Ignoring road signs and the rules of the road
Driving Drowsy
Speeding
Failing to maintain a reasonable distance from car ahead

How long do I have to file a Lyft accident claim?

A Lyft accident attorney is one of the first people you should ideally contact in the event of a Lyft accident, in addition to Lyft, the police, and 9-1-1 for medical assistance. In most legal cases, the sooner you contact an attorney to begin the claim filing process, the better. As with all legal claims, there is often a legal time limit for filing your claim. This is known as the statute of limitations. The Statute of Limitations applicable to your case will vary based on where your Uber of Lyft accident occurred. For example, if your accident occurred in Florida, you have 4 years from the date of accident to file a lawsuit. If your accident occurred in Georgia, you only have 2 years from the date of accident to file a lawsuit. If you have any questions regarding whether you can still file a claim for you rideshare accident, schedule a free case evaluation with one of our top-rated Lyft accident lawyers below.