You call a Lyft driver in Tuttle because you want to get home safely, but you never expect a rideshare to end with injuries in an accident. After the fact, you may find yourself wondering who is responsible for my injuries? How do I file a claim? Who can help me recover my losses?
If this sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place. At Ylla | Gosney, we make the process of recovering compensation after a Lyft accident quick and easy. Get started by contacting us for a no-cost, no-obligation case review to understand your legal options.
Do I Need a Lyft Accident Lawyer?
A Lyft Accident Attorney at Ylla | Gosney can help you understand the full value of your claim. By knowing the value, we can take legal steps to hold the at-fault party’s insurance responsible for all the damages you’ve been forced to endure due to the accident. Whereas most insurance companies will try to get you to settle for a small amount or deny you compensation.
Our attorneys can also simply the process for you by handling all damage calculations and settlement negotiations. Lyft accidents can be complex, and handling the legalities of one is the last thing you want to do when you’re trying to recover from your injuries. At Ylla | Gosney, helping you get your life back after a Lyft accident is our number one priority. Our Car Accident Attorneys are ready to discuss the details of your case and provide you with legal representation to ensure you receive compensation for the following damages:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages
Submitting an Insurance Claim to Lyft
While an accident with a Lyft driver may seem like any other accident, there are a few distinct differences. According to Lyft, they maintain a $1 million liability insurance policy for their drivers. Anyone looking to file an insurance claim with Lyft can do so here. According to Lyft, their insurance coverage depends upon whether the driver was:
- Offline
- Online
- En route
- On-trip
- Or operating solely on their own insurance policy
So, if the Lyft driver caused the accident, then the driver’s work app must reflect that they were in transport for work when the accident occurred. If the driver was not performing a work-related activity, then you would most likely need to file a claim against the driver’s personal injury policy.
What If Multiple Vehicles Are at Fault in a Lyft Driver Accident?
Multiple drivers may be “at fault” in your accident with a Lyft driver. Even if you’re partially at fault in a multiple-vehicle accident, you may still be entitled to recover damages. This is because Oklahoma operates on a Modified Comparative Negligence Law system, which is considered a “50-percent” rule.
Basically, the ability to pursue damages under comparative negligence applies when a crash victim is 49 percent or less liable for the accident. This percentage of fault can be decided by a police report, but all accident victims have the right to object to their assumption of fault, and ultimately have their fault decided by a judge and jury in court.
How Do I Establish Carelessness in a Lyft Accident?
All drivers owe a “duty of care” when it comes to other drivers on the road, even rideshare drivers. Let’s say a Lyft driver isn’t paying attention and merges into your car while you’re driving. They cause you to go off the road to avoid them, and you suffer a horrific crash, injuring your lower back. Using the “duty of care” law, you can establish that the other driver caused your accident by proving:
- Lack of duty of care: The driver had a legal obligation to prevent the accident by safely changing lanes
- Breach: The driver failed to uphold their duty of care when they merged into you
- Cause: The driver’s carelessness was a direct cause of the accident
- Damages: You suffered verifiable damages and incurred heavy losses due to the car accident, which could have been reasonably prevented
What is the Average Settlement for a Lyft Accident?
If you are not found at fault for the accident, then you are entitled to whatever settlement amount you and the insurance company agree upon. It is important to note that insurance companies are looking out for their business, not your well-being. So, the best way to maximize your settlement amount is to partner with a personal injury attorney.
When it comes to understanding the value of your rideshare accident case, it is important to know that there is no average accident settlement, as the details of each incident vary on a case-by-case basis. However, the following factors will play a large part in determining the total value of your rideshare accident:
- Severity of injuries: These can be broken down into 3 tiers, with Tier 3 being the most severe.
- Tier 1: Minor, non-surgical injuries such as strains, sprains, and contusions.
- Tier 2: Deep lacerations, broken or fractured bones that require surgical intervention
- Tier 3: Traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, resulting in temporary or permanent function loss
- Insurance coverage: the extent of the at-fault party’s insurance policy
- Lost income: Total amount of lost wages, which were a direct result of the injuries sustained from the accident.
- Medical Expenses: Medical expenses incurred from your injuries and any future medical treatments you may expect to have.
- Pain and Suffering: Emotional stress, trauma, and anxiety caused by how much your life has changed since the accident.
Contact Ylla | Gosney Lyft Accident Lawyers
Lyft accident victims in Tuttle, Oklahoma, often find themselves at a loss for where to turn for answers. The mounting medical bills, missed time at work, and dealing with insurance companies can become overwhelming quickly. That’s why, at Ylla | Gosney, we help injured victims get a lawyer, get paid, and get back to living a normal life as quickly and efficiently as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action for your Lyft accident injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation and case review.