Ridesharing services such Lyft and Uber are part of everyday life, especially for a fun night out or when you’re headed to a place where it's difficult to park or get to on public transport. But what happens if your Lyft driver gets into an accident? Lyft is required to back their drivers and carry large liability policies. In New Jersey, those liability policies offer coverage for up to $1.5 million.
However, getting fair compensation after an accident in a Lyft isn’t always so easy. In this case, you will be dealing with not only the driver, but the company behind them and potentially another driver involved in the accident. These are often complex cases that benefit from the experience and knowledge of a Lyft accident lawyer to understand your options.
What to Do Immediately After a Lyft Accident
The immediate moments after a car accident can be scary and confusing. If you’ve been injured, seek medical care immediately or as soon as possible and follow through on the doctor’s recommendations and further treatment. The shock and trauma of an accident may cause a delay in the onset of some symptoms or conditions, like whiplash, musculoskeletal injuries or brain injury. Seek medical attention as soon as you notice, even if it’s not immediately after the Lyft accident.
If you’re able, make sure to gather the names and contact information for the driver, other drivers and other witnesses to the accident. Also take a screenshot of the Lyft app on your phone to document the ride was in progress, date and time. Insist that the police are called and that they file a police report. In New Jersey, you must file a report for any car accident in which more than $500 in damage is expected.
Will Lyft Pay for Accidents?
As soon as the Lyft driver accepts the ride in the app and is on their way to pick-up passengers and until the moment the passengers exit the vehicle, Lyft’s commercial liability policy is in place. Under New Jersey law, Lyft is required to carry at least $1.5 million in liability insurance and underinsured/uninsured coverage for bodily injury, property damage and deaths for Lyft accidents.
In practice, this means that liability coverage kicks in even if another driver was at-fault in the accident. For example, if you are a passenger in a Lyft accident that was determined to be caused by the other driver, you can file a claim against Lyft’s policy to pay for your losses. Of course, if the crash is determined to the fault of the Lyft driver, you can file a claim against Lyft.
Even though it seems Lyft has a substantial policy in place, especially compared to a typical car accident claim, that doesn’t mean getting fairly compensated for your injuries will be simple. Lyft does not necessarily pay out claims quickly or without question. They may also take action against the other driver, which could further complicate your claim. If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, it’s in your best interest to consult with a ridesharing accident attorney to understand your options and protect your rights.
What Will Lyft Cover in an Accident Settlement?
As in any personal injury claim, a Lyft accident settlement could include compensation for what are called economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses include medical expenses, lost wages and other direct expenses related to your injuries. In the event of serious injury, you may not be able to return to work for a period of time. You can seek compensation for future medical expenses and the loss of your expected income over time.
Non-economic losses are intended to compensate victims for intangible losses like a diminished quality of life if you’re no longer able to do the things you once enjoyed. Pain and suffering is awarded for the physical and emotional pain associated with your injury. Generally, the more severe or debilitating the injury, the higher the compensation amounts for non-economic damages.
Brandon J. Broderick Can Help You Recover Compensation
If you’ve been in a car accident with a Lyft driver, you may be pressured to settle quickly, before understanding the full extent of the accident. Never sign anything without talking with a ridesharing attorney.
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we believe in exceptional client care, empathy, and results. That’s what makes us one of the top rated Lyft accident lawyers in New Jersey. With our long track record of success, you can count on us to work tirelessly for your quality of life. Contact us today for a free consultation.