Have you ever wondered what your legal options are if your Lyft ride turns into a car accident?
You’re cruising along in the back seat, watching Netflix on your phone. And then — CRASH! Another driver smashes into your rideshare vehicle.
All of a sudden you’re dealing with injuries, mounting medical bills, and a slew of confusing legal questions.
What you may not realize…
If you’re hurt in a Lyft accident, you have more than one legal option to pursue compensation. In fact, rideshare companies don’t want you to know that, either.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Passenger Rights in a Lyft Accident
- 3 Main Legal Avenues for Compensation
- How Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Actually Works
- Suing the Company Directly
- Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident
Your Rights as a Lyft Passenger
Here’s the honest truth:
Once you’re injured in a Lyft vehicle, you’re no longer just an ordinary passenger. You’re a victim with legal rights. And those rights are a lot more valuable than most people realize.
According to Uber and Lyft, over 99.9% of trips have no safety incidents. But when one of those rare incidents occurs, it can spell disaster for victims.
What most passengers don’t realize:
Unlike regular car crashes, Lyft accidents present multiple potential insurance sources. That means there are several ways to pursue compensation after a Lyft accident. The trick is knowing which insurance policies apply at what times.
Also Read: How To Lower Your Auto Insurance Premiums Without Compromising Coverage?
The 3 Main Legal Avenues for Compensation
Each Lyft accident is different. So, there’s no single legal avenue to pursue compensation after a Lyft accident. In fact, you’ve got 3 main legal routes to explore:
Legal Avenue #1: Filing a Claim Against the Rideshare Driver
The most common, and straightforward, option is to file a claim directly against the Lyft driver who hit you. If they caused your accident through negligence, whether speeding, distracted driving, or ignoring traffic signals, you can pursue them through their insurance.
The problem with this legal avenue is:
Most personal auto insurance carriers will deny coverage when drivers are using their vehicles for commercial purposes. Translation: You might win a case against a Lyft driver only to find there’s no insurance to pay out.
Legal Avenue #2: Pursuing Lyft’s Insurance
The second legal route is more interesting. Lyft has $1 million in liability insurance at play when their drivers are transporting passengers.
In the unfortunate event of a Lyft accident:
You’re covered by Lyft’s massive insurance policy when:
- A driver has accepted your ride request
- A driver is en route to pick you up
- You’re actually inside the Lyft vehicle
The upside is:
This Lyft coverage means up to $1 million in insurance coverage to pursue if you’re injured in a Lyft accident.
Legal Avenue #3: Suing Lyft Directly
This is the “nuclear” option. You can sue Lyft directly if their negligence contributed to your accident. These cases are tougher to prove, but possible if:
- Lyft failed to properly screen drivers
- Lyft ignored safety complaints against specific drivers
- Lyft’s policies caused unsafe driving that led to your crash
This is when you need an experienced Lyft accident attorney on your side. They have the resources to dig deep into Lyft’s hiring, training, and safety practices. But to file this type of Lyft lawsuit, you’ll need to show corporate negligence, not just driver error.
How Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Actually Works
Lyft insurance is intentionally complex. That’s on purpose.
Rideshare insurance coverage works in 3 phases:
Phase 1: App On, No Ride Request
Drivers have their Lyft app on, and are available to accept a ride request, but haven’t yet taken one. In this phase, Lyft provides some coverage, typically around $50,000 in coverage per person for bodily injury.
Phase 2: Ride Accepted, On the Way
Coverage really changes once a driver accepts a ride request, and is either on the way to pick up a passenger, or en route with you. Lyft provides $1 million in liability insurance at this stage of a rideshare trip.
Phase 3: Passenger in Lyft Vehicle
You are now in the car and the driver is transporting you to your destination. The same $1 million in liability coverage applies, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage up to $250,000.
The bottom line:
If you’re in a Lyft vehicle, and they’ve accepted your ride request, you’re backed up by significant insurance coverage.
When You Can Sue the Company Directly
Suing Uber or Lyft directly is the equivalent of attacking a multi-billion dollar company with the legal equivalent of a BB gun. It can be done. But you better have an F-18 worth of firepower, in the form of evidence and expert legal representation, to back it up.
You could potentially have a claim against Lyft if they were negligent, such as when they:
- Failed to detect a driver had a problematic driving history
- Ignored complaints from passengers about specific drivers
- Created company policies that led to unsafe driving
There have been recent court rulings establishing that Uber and Lyft can be held liable for negligent hiring and supervision of their drivers. But these cases require extensive investigation and expert legal counsel.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Your life can quickly turn upside down when you’re injured in a Lyft accident. The financial fallout can be staggering. The good news is that victims can recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (present and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to personal items
- Emotional distress
Potential settlement values range widely. From as low as $25,000 for minor injuries all the way to over $1 million for more catastrophic cases.
Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident
The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a Lyft accident can make or break your case.
Here’s a crash course:
- Check for injuries and call 911, if necessary
- Document the accident scene with photos, including damage to all vehicles and visible injuries
- Gather contact information of drivers and witnesses
- Report the accident through the Lyft app ASAP
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel okay
- Consult with an attorney before talking to insurance companies
Don’t ever give a recorded statement to an insurance company without first speaking with a lawyer. Insurance companies are in the business of paying out as little as possible. Your statements can be used against you.
The Shocking Reality About Rideshare Accident Statistics
The statistics might surprise you. According to court records, rideshare accidents have led to a 3% increase in traffic fatalities since they launched in 2011. That’s approximately 987 additional deaths per year on U.S. roads.
Why the increase?
In short, it’s because there are more cars on the road. And more cars on the road, especially with inexperienced drivers on them, means more accidents.
Distracted driving is the culprit in 60% of rideshare crashes. Drivers are constantly checking their phones for ride requests, notifications, etc. Other common causes of Lyft and Uber accidents include:
- Speeding (20%)
- Reckless driving (11%)
- Running red lights (10%)
Do Not Go It Alone
Lyft accident cases are complex. They have a lot of moving parts. Insurance companies and their arguments. Rideshare policies and their nuances. Corporate liability issues.
Even intelligent, savvy people can get lost in the weeds of all the legal factors. And once that happens, your case — and potential compensation — will suffer.
The best thing you can do for your case? Seek legal assistance as soon as possible.
Your attorney can help you navigate the insurance maze and corporate policies to identify all available sources of compensation. They will advocate for you against the billion-dollar insurance companies and Lyft legal team.
Also Read: A Guide to Creating a Safe and Comfortable Home Environment for Seniors
Final Thoughts
Being injured in a Lyft accident does not have to derail your life financially. In fact, you have legal options. In fact, you probably have more legal options than you think you do.
The key is to know your rights as a passenger. Know them, and act on them quickly. Every day you delay, the insurance companies get stronger and your claim gets weaker.
Don’t let Lyft’s army of billion-dollar lawyers steamroll you. Fight back. With the full weight of professional legal firepower.
