Atlanta
Lyft Accident Lawyer

It didn’t take long for Lyft to become a major competitor in ridesharing, but are they a safe ride? Their driver requirements are like their competition, but that doesn’t mean they’re safer than other forms of public transportation.

If you’re a Lyft passenger and your driver gets into an accident, it’s time to speak with a rideshare accident attorney in Atlanta who knows how to handle these cases. It’s time to get the Strong Arm, John Foy & Associates, on your side.

What Are Lyft’s Insurance Policies Like?

Rideshare insurance rules are complex and there are a fair number of loopholes that can let Lyft avoid paying from their own insurance policy. The biggest insurance policies they have only come into effect when the app is on and a ride is in process.

However, there may be a lot of arguing between the insurance companies about whose policy needs to come into effect first, how much needs to be spent, and so forth. This can drag out your case and financially pressure you to settle early.

By hiring our Atlanta Lyft accident lawyers, we can cut through the legalese and the fighting to get you the compensation you need. If you’ve suffered injuries and have medical bills to pay, there’s no time to waste on legal wrangling. The priority for you is healing and moving on from your accident. Hiring a personal injury lawyer lets you do that.

Are There Training Requirements for Lyft Drivers?

The emergence and rapid expansion of services like Lyft has brought forth a significant number of rideshare drivers onto the roads. While the job’s accessibility has allowed for a large pool of drivers, it has also resulted in an absence of standardized and rigorous training programs.

Lyft requires online safety training and performs driver screenings, which review criminal background and driving history. However, there have been ongoing concerns about a lack of real-world driver training. Simply possessing a valid driver’s license and vehicle, as well as having a clean background, renders drivers eligible to enroll and transport passengers.

Georgia Motor Vehicles and Traffic code § 40-5-39 has similar requirements. For-hire drivers must meet the following criteria according to the state law:

• Have a for-hire license endorsement or a private background check certification.
• Possess liability insurance coverage for the class of vehicle that’s being operated.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a valid Georgia driver’s license.
• For a period of seven years prior to the application date, the driver must not have been convicted, on parole or probation, or have served a sentence for a felony or crime of “moral turpitude,” or have a pattern of misdemeanors that exhibits a disregard for the law .

Outside of these regulations, there is no real-world testing to guarantee that drivers possess the necessary skills, knowledge, or experience to safely navigate the complexities of the road. Drivers may lack crucial awareness and understanding of traffic rules, defensive driving techniques, and emergency procedures. This knowledge gap can lead to hazardous situations, accidents, or inadequate response in critical moments.

What Damages Can I Collect from Lyft?

As a passenger, you have the right to make an insurance claim against the responsible driver. This could be your Lyft driver or it could be another one. But can you collect from Lyft’s insurance policy? It depends on the circumstances. Most likely, you’ll need to max out the responsible driver’s insurance policy before Lyft will consider it.

If your accident is worth more than the minimum required insurance limit, you definitely need to have a Lyft accident attorney in Atlanta work with you to get fair compensation. Fortunately, as a passenger, it’s unlikely you’ll have any role in the accident. Thus, you don’t have to worry about sharing liability. What you may have to worry about is splitting Lyft’s insurance policy among all the victims.

With that said, there are several types of damages that can be collected if you’ve been hurt in a Lyft accident. Similar to other auto-related accidents, damages may include:

• Medical expenses: You may be entitled to recover the cost of medical treatment, including hospital bills, surgeries, medication, therapy, and rehabilitation services related to the bodily injuries you sustained in the accident.
• Pain and suffering: This category includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain, distress, and suffering resulting from the accident and your injuries. It aims to provide financial redress for the pain and negative impact on your quality of life.
• Lost wages: If the accident caused you to miss work or resulted in a decreased earning capacity, you may be able to seek compensation for the wages and income you lost as a direct result of the accident.
• Property damage: If your personal property, such as your vehicle or personal belongings, was damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repair or replacement.
• Loss of consortium: In some cases, if the accident caused severe injuries that significantly affect your relationship with a spouse or partner, they may be able to seek compensation for the loss of companionship, support, or intimacy.
• Wrongful death: If the accident resulted in the death of a loved one, compensation may be sought through a wrongful death claim, which can include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for the emotional toll and loss of companionship.

What Should I Do If My Lyft Is Involved in an Accident?

If you’re a Lyft driver, you’ll need to notify both the police and Lyft of the accident. Lyft has a reporting option in the app to help you do this. Contact Lyft after you’ve checked on all the victims for injuries and called 911.

Passengers should also call 911, just in case drivers try to hide their accident. Even in a minor crash, don’t let your driver off the hook with a handshake. Your injuries could stay hidden for days or weeks. Take photos of the scene for evidence and try to get the contact information of eye-witnesses.

In both cases, see a doctor as soon as you can for a checkup. Tell the doctor you’ve been in an accident. Once that’s finished, contact a Lyft accident lawyer in Atlanta at John Foy & Associates for further advice. These steps will build the foundation of your claim, and we’ll use this information to rate your chances of success.

What If the Lyft Driver Won’t Admit Liability?

Providing information about the accident is important for determining fault. For example, you may have seen your Lyft driver engage in an action that caused or contributed to the accident, such as speeding, failing to yield, texting, not paying attention to the road, or not properly stopping at a light.

This evidence can be used to build a case against the driver and help you earn proper compensation for any injuries you’ve sustained. Seeking legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney is recommended if the Lyft driver refuses to accept responsibility for their actions.

Lyft’s Insurers Are Calling Me. What Should I Do?

If your driver does the responsible thing and contacts Lyft to report the accident, you may get a call from Lyft or their insurance adjusters quickly after your accident. This may sound like great customer service, but don’t be fooled. They’re trying to minimize their liability.

Insurance companies have to assume fraud is a possibility, so they will try to see if your story matches the situation. But they’ll also look for any evidence that your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim. Even saying, “I’m fine,” on the phone as a polite response could work against you.

Try your best to avoid speaking with an insurance agent until you’ve spoken with a Lyft accident attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. Once you have legal representation, you can tell them you’ve retained counsel. Your lawyer will handle the negotiations from there. Above all, do not agree to anything or sign anything from the insurance company without a lawyer’s approval.

Hire an Experienced Lyft Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia

Experience is important for ridesharing cases. Insurance questions can become quite complicated in these cases, and not all accident attorneys know how to do it right. In Atlanta, the team with experience is John Foy & Associates.

Speak with our Lyft accident lawyers in Atlanta today in a free consultation by using our contact form or calling us. Our team works on contingency, so you do not have to pay us anything unless you win your case.