Lyft has become widespread in Atlanta, but like any driver, Lyft drivers can get into accidents. If you were injured because your Lyft driver got in an accident, you have the same legal rights s any other accident victim—regardless of which driver was at fault. You may be able to recover all of your costs and a substantial cash settlement to offset your damages. You need to talk to an Atlanta Lyft passenger accident lawyer.
We can help. Our lawyers understand Lyft accidents and the special legal issues involved in ridesharing. We have a history of winning large settlements, and we charge nothing if we don’t win you money. Let us give you a FREE consultation to talk about your accident, your rights, and what you can do. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
What makes Lyft accidents different than other car accidents?
Most car accidents are between private vehicles. And, traditionally, paying passengers would ride in licensed taxis. But ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber work differently: each driver is an independent contractor, not an employee, and they use their own private cars to transport passengers. That means they don’t fit the usual legal categories of car accidents.
That does not change your rights, however. Here’s what you should know:
- Lyft drivers, like all drivers, are required to carry insurance
- Additionally, Lyft itself has insurance that can help cover your claim
- You, as the passenger, are almost never at fault for a Lyft accident, which means you should always be covered by the insurance of one driver or the other
Who is considered liable for a Lyft accident?
All drivers have an obligation to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe way. When they don’t meet that obligation, they are careless, or in legal terms, “negligent.” A negligent driver might have been texting while driving, or weaving in and out of traffic without signaling, or speeding. The negligent driver may not have meant to cause an accident, but the driver is still responsible for paying for the injuries and property damage that result.
Passengers, however, are almost never at fault. Except in rare cases where the passenger was distracting the driver and caused the accident, one of the drivers will be the one at fault and considered liable.
In some ways, as a Lyft passenger you have extra protection: both Lyft and Uber have $1 million in insurance coverage for injuries to passengers. This means you can seek a recovery from Lyft itself. However, Lyft’s insurers have the same motivation as any other insurance company: to pay out the absolute lowest amount they can. It still helps to have an experienced lawyer on your side.
What kind of injuries are covered by Lyft passenger accident claims?
Like any other automobile passenger, Lyft passengers can suffer anything from minor bruises to devastating head injuries, and even fatalities. The type of injuries you have will depend on the circumstances of the accident, where you were sitting in the car, and whether you were wearing a seat belt. Common accident injuries include:
- Head injuries. Hitting your head against the seat in front of you or another part of the car’s interior can lead to anything from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury.
- Whiplash. The impact of the collision can “whip” your head and neck around, causing painful tears in the muscles and tissues of the neck.
- Broken bones. The inside of a car is full of hard surfaces. When you hit your hands, arms, or face against them, bone fractures are often a result.
- Cuts and bruises. The impact of the accident, plus broken glass, can lead to minor or severe bruises and cuts.
No matter how minor your injuries seem, always see a doctor as soon as you can after a car accident. There are two reasons for this. First, it helps with the healing process. Some injuries get worse or develop complications if you wait to start treatment. Second, seeing a doctor helps you make a stronger claim and prevents the insurance company from claiming you are exaggerating your injuries.
How much money can I collect in a Lyft accident claim?
Georgia allows you to recover for ALL the damage you suffer in any car accident that is not your fault. The amount of money you can get will depend on the circumstances of the accident and how badly you were hurt. Usually, Lyft accident victims are entitled to recover money for the following:
- Medical bills
- The cost of prescription medicine
- Physical therapy expenses
- Lost wages, if you had to miss work because of the accident
If you are more seriously injured, you may recover additional money for things like a permanent disability or pain and suffering. If the driver at fault was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may be eligible for a large punitive damage award. This money can never begin to compensate you for a truly devastating accident, but we hope it will help you pay your bills and make it possible to continue treatment and make as complete a recovery as you can.
How can a lawyer help me if I already have an offer from the insurance company?
Lyft’s insurance company may have already offered you money, but we caution you not to accept this money or sign any insurance company paperwork until you have talked to a car accident law firm in Atlanta. We say this because insurance companies are profit-making businesses, and one way they improve their profits is to avoid paying out any more than they have to. Their first offer is almost certainly less than your claim is really worth. A lawyer can help you by making sure you see a doctor who can give you a full evaluation and estimate exactly what your injuries are going to cost over the long haul—including both medical care and time lost from work. This keeps you from jumping on an offer that won’t begin to cover your losses.
A lawyer can also help you by making sure you get paid by the responsible party. Occasionally the ridesharing company may try to avoid paying anything by claiming the driver’s personal policy should be responsible. There may be a dispute over who caused the accident. If another driver was at fault, the driver may not have insurance. A lawyer can handle these issues for you, working on getting you paid while you focus on your recovery.
Talk to an Atlanta Lyft Passenger Accident Lawyer for Free
Our lawyers are devoted to helping injured people get the money they need to recover and put their lives back on track. Our policy is to never charge you any money unless we get money for you. Let us give you a free, no-obligation consultation to talk about your accident and explain how we can help. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
