People looking to get somewhere without driving have more options now than ever before, thanks largely to ridesharing companies like Lyft and Uber that connect people in need of a ride with drivers who have time on their hands.
It seems like a simple but ingenious idea, and in many ways it is, up until an accident occurs and victims are left wondering who is liable for their damages. Yes, the fallout from a Lyft accident can be anything but simple.
If you have been involved in a Lyft accident, our Bensalem Lyft Accident Attorney can help you navigate the complex ridesharing claims process and collect the damages that you deserve.
Who Pays in a Lyft Accident?
Because of the complicated structure of ridesharing liability, filing a claim can feel quite a bit like jumping through hoops if you don’t have a seasoned attorney by your side.
Drivers with Lyft are required to have their own personal auto insurance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that a drivers’ insurance policy will cover their actions when they’re involved in commercial activities for profit. In fact, many personal auto policies have exclusions that prohibit this type of behavior by policyholders.
Luckily, Lyft has a standard liability policy that covers its drivers—but only when the driver is logged in to Lyft app and ready to haul passengers. To make it even trickier, the policy limits are lower when the driver is simply logged on and waiting for a rider.
Luckily, they balloon up to $1 million when a rider has been booked. Simply put, what happens between the time the driver gets in his vehicle and the time of the accident has a lot to do with who pays what.
To add another layer to the complicated claims process, if a third-party vehicle is involved, liability may fall on that driver and his/her insurance if he/she caused the accident. And should that driver not have a sufficient amount of coverage to fully compensate victims, still more difficulty arises.
Damages in a Lyft Accident
As you can see, the various nuances involved in a Lyft claim makes it a smart move to contact an experienced attorney if you are involved in an accident with a Lyft driver. While some minor accidents may not require expert legal advice, serious accidents where there’s a lot on the line require knowledgeable representation.
Depending on the nature of your accident and the injuries sustained, you may be able to collect medical costs, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering upon a successful claim.
If your injury results in a permanent disability, any award given may be greatly enhanced in order to cover future medical care, diminished capacity to earn a living, and other damages related to your condition.
In Pennsylvania, Injury Claims must be filed within two years of the date of injury. Fail to do so, and you may lose your right to recover damages. See our Bensalem Lyft Accident Attorney right away after your accident to help identify potential litigants and discuss your best options going forward with your claim.