Rideshare Accident Cases
Lyft has taken a lot of the hassle out of getting where you need to be when you need to be there. While leaving the driving to someone else is a real convenience, Lyft accidents are anything but. All car accident claims are legally challenging, but Lyft accidents add another layer of complexity – and working closely with an experienced accident attorney in Pottsville, PA, is always in your best interest.
Lyft Drivers
Although Lyft drivers fill the role of professional drivers, they don’t have the experience or credentials that professional drivers do. This, however, doesn’t alter the fact that transporting people is an immense responsibility, and in the process, Lyft drivers experience all the following additional risk factors behind the wheel:
- Frequent merging, stopping, and starting as they enter and exit traffic
- Using the Lyft app while driving creates a significant distraction
- Navigating unfamiliar roads, increasing the chance of wrong turns or sudden maneuvers
- Searching for passengers in congested areas, which can take their focus off the road
Lyft drivers make their living or earn additional money behind the wheel, and – as a result – some push themselves to stay on the road longer than is safe. Each of these factors makes Lyft accidents more likely.
Filing a Lyft Accident Claim
Suppose a Lyft driver’s negligence, such as exhaustion, distraction, excess speed, or impairment, injured you. In that case, you’d need to file an accident claim with the appropriate provider, which varies according to the situation. In your claim, you can seek compensation for the losses you incur in each of the following categories:
- Property damage to your vehicle and its contents – if you weren’t a passenger of the Lyft driver at the time of the accident
- Your medical expenses, including ongoing healthcare costs
- For lost wages, including any lost earning potential
- Your physical and emotional pain and suffering
Determining the Correct Insurance Provider
Where the driver is in the Lyft cycle determines which insurance provider you must file your claim with. Consider the following scenarios:
- If you were a Lyft passenger at the time of the claim, you’d file a claim with Lyft’s comprehensive coverage.
- You were in the other vehicle involved, but the Lyft driver had a passenger or was on the way to pick one up; you’ll also file with Lyft’s provider.
- If the Lyft driver was on the app but was waiting for a passenger to be assigned, you’ll file your claim with the coverage that they are required to carry. Lyft’s coverage will be triggered if your losses exceed its policy limits.
- Since the driver was no longer on the Lyft app at the time of the accident, you’ll file your claim with their provider, as you would in any other car accident claim.
Our Experienced Accident Attorneys Can Help
The formidable accident attorneys at Fanelli, Evans & Patel have years of experience successfully defending our valued clients’ rights in Pottsville, PA. We’re here for you, too. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 570-622-2455 today.