In 2010, The total number of traffic fatalities sank to 32,885 nationwide. This was the lowest number of fatal traffic accidents since 1949. Soon after ridesharing services Uber and Lyft came onto the scene and traffic accidents began to slowly increase.
If you’ve been involved in an accident while riding in a Lyft you may want to file a claim. Read this guide for everything you need to know about Lyft claims and settlements.
It May Be Difficult To Have Lyft Accept Responsibility
When you use a rideshare app like Lyft you expect them to take responsibility if there is an accident. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Lyft drivers are independent contractors so Lyft doesn’t always take responsibility for their actions even if you end up injured.
Lyft will be involved in some capacity because the company carries insurance just in case their drivers are not covered. Each state has different requirements for the insurance required by Lyft drivers and it can be difficult for Lyft to accept responsibility for the accident and any injuries.
Who Handles Claims for Lyft?
It is important to realize Lyft doesn’t handle claims directly. Lyft claims are handled by one of their partners throughout the United States including Travelers, Progressive, State Farm, Latitude, and Sedwick. You can look at Lyft’s certificate of insurance for your state on their website.
Ultimately, whoever handles the claims for Lyft is the company you will be dealing with in the event of an accident.
Lyft Will Make Your Claim Difficult
Most people think a Lyft accident claim follows a typical process. You are involved in an accident in a Lyft vehicle so you file a claim with the driver’s insurance company. You tell the company about the losses you experienced because o the accident and they help you recover your costs.
However, that is not the case. Lyft has been known to make their insurance companies make the claims process very difficult for their riders. Lyft and insurance companies both want to limit any payment your receive.
Insurance adjusters will make false promises and act as if they care about you but their end goal is to pay you as little as possible. Insurance adjusters may even be rewarded or earn compensation based on the amount you are paid.
Do not trust these insurance adjusters. They are trying to protect their bottom line.
Do Not Give a Statement
A Lyft car accident claims adjuster will try to get you to give them a recorded statement. This is a statement from you detailing the accident and any injuries you were left with. They may go as far as telling you that a recorded statement is required or that it will help make your claim go faster.
Whatever you do do not give a recorded statement to a claims adjuster. They may try to hold it against you as a reason to not give you a Lyft lawsuit settlement.
A recorded statement often seems like a casual conversation. Often they will use pieces of your statement to try to pay you less or deny your claim.
People who mention how they are feeling, the treatment they received, or when they are returning to work have often seen these statements come back to haunt them in court. As a rule of thumb do not give a recorded statement.
Lyft Settlement Amounts
If you are involved in a claim or have received Lyft injuries from an accident you may not know what to expect from a settlement. Depending on the severity of the accident the settlement could be as much as $500,000 or more.
A class-action lawsuit was recently awarded $27 million for victims. If you decide to hire a Lyft car accident lawyer be sure to ask them what amount you can expect to see from Lyft in your settlement if you win your case.
It’s a good idea to research these questions.
- How much can a passenger sue Lyft for after an accident?
- What is the average settlement amount in a Lyft accident lawsuit?
- What is the approximate worth of your Lyft accident?
What To Do After a Lyft Accident
If you’ve been involved in a Lyft accident call 911. It’s important to have police and paramedics report to the scene to take proper documentation. Don’t let your driver try to talk you out of this.
A police report will be necessary to obtain compensation for your injuries. Paramedics will be able to treat you and transport you to a local hospital. Follow all the advice of medical professionals at the scene and the hospital.
You will need to keep up with your doctor’s appointments ad attend physical therapy if it is recommended. If you have a gap in your treatment the insurance company could argue that you were never injured at all or that your injuries are not severe.
Hire an Attorney to Help
A Lyft car accident attorney can help you file your claim and get the money you deserve. Insurance companies don’t want you to have a lawyer represent your claim because they know a lawyer will fight for you. Attorneys can help you do the following:
- Calculate your losses
- Review your offer and tell you if it is fair
- Negotiate for a better settlement
- File the necessary paperwork
Do not listen to the insurance company or the insurance adjuster. Contact a Lyft car accident lawyer to help you with your claim.
Contact a Lawyer About Lyft Claims
Don’t expect to get a fair shake on your own when you go up against Lyft’s insurance company. They may try to take advantage of you. The law that governs rideshare companies like Lyft is complex and continuously evolving.
If you have been seriously injured in a Lyft accident hire a Lyft car accident lawyer to help you with your Lyft claims. A lawyer will be able to answer all of your questions regarding your Lyft accident claim and what you can expect.
If someone you know has been involved in a Lyft accident please share this article with them and browse more of our law articles.
Comments 1
It’s good to know that Lyft can also after settlement in case of damages incurred in an accident involving their company. If I’d be in this situation, I also understand why I want to learn the possible compensation I might receive from them. This is also why have businesses from this type of industry should have insurance and coverage for many elements such as their drivers.