Can You Sue Lyft for an Accident?

Were you recently injured in a Lyft accident? You may have the right to compensation for your damages when someone else is responsible. However, you may wonder whether you can sue Lyft for damages.

There are several instances in which you might have a chance to file a lawsuit against the company itself or a claim with Lyft’s insurance carrier. Your Lyft car accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates will be ready to help you pursue your case across all avenues.

Circumstances When Lyft May Be to Blame

Lyft hires independent contractors to transport its consumers. However, the process for hiring drivers is less rigorous than you might expect. Lyft may conduct a check of the applicant’s insurance records and driving history. 

However, there are no background checks on driver candidates. When Lyft allows dangerous drivers to become a part of their platform, it puts passengers at risk.

Filing a Civil Claim

There are a few instances where you can file a civil lawsuit against Lyft. However, there are multiple instances in which you could file a claim with their insurance company. Lyft provides its drivers with a $1 million insurance policy. 

Unfortunately, this policy is only in effect during specific times, including:

• When the driver is logged into the app and waiting for a drive request
• When the driver is waiting to pick up a passenger
• While the driver is transporting a passenger

If the accident occurs during this time frame, Lyft insurance coverage should apply. However, if the accident occurs outside this timeframe, the Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance coverage is used for incidents. Many factors affect the decision of which policy is in effect, such as whether the Lyft driver caused the accident or another party is responsible for causing the collision.

Other Parties Who Could Be Held Accountable

Several parties could share fault for your Lyft accident injuries, depending on the specific details of your case. For instance, the Lyft driver could be at fault if they were driving negligently at the time of the accident. Examples of careless driving could include:

• Failure to stop
• Failure to yield
• Distracted driving
• Driving over the speed limit
• Driving while drowsy
• Drunk or drug driving
• Reckless driving
• Road rage
• Aggressive driving

When Vehicle Defects Cause Lyft Accidents

There is also a chance a mechanical or vehicle defect caused the accident. In these situations, multiple parties could share fault, such as:

• Maintenance workers
• Auto parts manufacturers
• Auto parts designers
• Auto parts distributors
• Auto parts suppliers
• Motor vehicle dealerships
• Safety inspectors

When Dangerous Road Conditions Cause Lyft Accidents

Sometimes, dangerous road conditions have been known to cause devastating lift accidents. Examples of these causes could include:

• Unsecured road construction zones
• Missing street lights
• Failure to replace street signs
• Potholes
• Ice
• Heavy rain
• Oil spills
• Animals in the roadway

Suppose hazardous roads caused your Lyft accident. Instead of filing a claim with Lyft’s insurance, you could file a lawsuit against the government agencies and municipalities tasked with handling road safety and maintenance. You can find out more about who you could sue for your Lyft accident damages when you discuss the details of your case with your car accident attorney.

How to Recover the Compensation You Deserve 

Although there may be limited opportunities to file a civil lawsuit against Lyft, there are multiple ways you can recover the compensation you deserve when someone else is responsible for causing your injuries. 

File a Claim with Lyft’s Insurance Company

Filing a claim with the rideshare insurance company is one of the best ways to recover damages. Georgia is a fault state for car accident purposes. You file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company under these laws. However, the negotiation process could prove more challenging than you expect.

How Lyft Insurance Claims Work

Filing a claim with the insurance company can take time and effort. Insurance companies lose money when they pay out on claims, so you can expect the insurer to attempt to deny you the compensation you deserve or reduce your settlement wherever possible.

By providing the insurance company with the evidence and information they need to process your claim, you can expedite the review process and access your insurance settlement sooner.

Damages Insurance Covers

When you file an insurance claim, you can only be repaid for your damages up to the policy limits. For example, if Lyft’s auto insurance coverage was in effect, you might have access to as much as $1 million in property damage and medical expenses. However, this insurance coverage is unlikely to compensate you for your lost wages, emotional distress, physical injuries, and other economic and non-economic damages.  

Recovering Your Lyft Accident Damages in Full

Bringing your Lyft accident case to court may be your best option if you hope to recover your damages in full. At trial, you are not limited by the policy limits of an insurance claim. There is no cap on the amount of compensation you can win in economic and non-economic damages in Georgia.

Some examples of additional damages you can win in court include:

• Lost income
• Diminished earning potential
• Skin scarring and disfigurement
• Personal property damages
• Psychological trauma
• Loss of household services
• Future medical expenses
• Loss of consortium

To protect your right to compensation, you should speak with your car accident attorney to determine what the statute of limitations is for your state. Many states require that you file lawsuits within one to three years after your accident. This time can go quickly when your attorney is gathering evidence to build your claim against a company like Lyft.

Meet with a Lyft Accident Lawyer for Help Today

You may feel intimidated about filing an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit against a nationwide rideshare service provider like Lyft. However, with an experienced Lyft accident attorney at John Foy & Associates on your side, you do not need to worry about a thing. 

If you need to file a lawsuit against Lyft, our firm is here to be your legal advocate. Please fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.