people crossing the street

Lyft should provide a safe ride that will allow you to get to your destination without a problem. Unfortunately, not every Lyft ride ends the way you would like. Sometimes, Lyft drivers crash into other vehicles, whether at their fault or the other driver’s. If you suffer serious injuries in a Lyft accident, you may need legal help to assist you in filing a claim for compensation and in understanding how much money you deserve to recover. Contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, today at 404-418-8244.

Why Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC Can Help with Your Lyft Accident Claim

At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, you receive old-fashioned customer service with careful attention to all the details of your claim and your other needs. David Brauns focuses on taking care of his clients’ needs, pressing their claims to get money in their hands as fast as the law allows. He commits to working on a schedule that works for his clients, fighting hard to get them the support they need. With empathy, compassion, and determination at the forefront of every engagement, Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, offers the kind of personalized, diligent service you deserve from your lawyer.

Common Lyft Accident Injuries in Atlanta

Busy, bustling Atlanta has many vehicles that use its streets every day, and when Lyft accidents occur, drivers and passengers in those vehicles often suffer the same injuries seen in other car accidents. These may include:

  • Soft tissue and spinal cord damage. Whiplash alone can cause serious complications that limit your daily activities and prevent you from enjoying those tasks without pain. More serious spinal cord damage can limit mobility and even lead to paralysis.
  • Traumatic brain injury. Accident victims who suffer traumatic brain damage may struggle with confusion, mood swings, and short or long-term memory problems that make it difficult for them to return to their usual activities after an accident.
  • Amputations. Often, after a serious accident, victims suffer limb amputation. Sometimes, amputations occur during the accident itself or at the scene. Other times, doctors make the decision to amputate a limb with crushing damage they cannot repair.
  • Broken bones. Broken bones may limit mobility and prevent the accident victim from working. You may struggle to get around or need extra help completing daily activities.
  • Sprains and strains. Many people assume that broken bones create more problems than sprains and strains; however, ligament and tendon damage can cause more severe, longer-term complications than broken bones in some cases.

Who Bears Responsibility for a Lyft Accident?

In a Lyft accident, like other types of accidents, the driver who causes or contributes most to the accident generally bears responsibility. Lyft offers its own insurance to drivers while they are actively transporting a passenger. Between passengers, whether on their way to a pickup or after dropping a passenger off, before accepting another trip, Lyft drivers rely on their own insurance. They typically carry special policies related to their Lyft driving to help pay for any accidents that occur during this time.

In some cases, other individuals may share liability for an accident that occurs in a Lyft vehicle, including:

  • A bar or restaurant that over-served a driver with the knowledge that they needed to drive immediately after the drink
  • The vehicle manufacturer, where the vehicle itself caused the accident
  • Mechanics who worked on the vehicle, if they failed to report a problem or improperly conducted repairs on the vehicle

Lyft may also, in some cases, bear responsibility for an accident caused by one of its drivers. Most notably, Lyft may share responsibility if they allow a driver known for irresponsible driving or who has a long accident history to continue working for the company.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Lyft Accident?

After a Lyft accident, the damages you can recover will depend on the severity of your injuries, who bears fault for the accident, and the company’s policy. However, most accident victims file for several types of damages.

  • Medical expenses. You need your medical expenses paid by the person or entity that caused your accident, rather than bearing them yourself. Medical expenses include any expenses related to your injuries, from transport to the hospital to needed modifications to your home or vehicle.
  • Lost wages. Did you miss work due to your injuries? You may include those lost wages as part of your claim.
  • Lost earning potential. After permanent, life-altering injuries, you may not have the ability to return to work in your former capacity. In this case, you may claim that lost earning potential.
  • Pain and suffering. Typically, the insurance company calculates pain and suffering as a percentage of your medical expenses and other claims associated with the accident.

How Do Insurance Companies Try to Avoid Paying After a Lyft Accident?

You would like for your claim to move smoothly after a Lyft accident. Unfortunately, things may not go as smoothly as you would like. The insurance company may:

  • Try to prove your injuries occurred at another time or that your injuries cause less trouble than you indicated in your claim.
  • Attempt to shift liability so that another company has to pay the claim. Because you did not cause the accident, you will not bear personal liability for your injuries; however, this process may delay your ability to get the funds you need in your hands.
  • Offer you a low settlement. Often, that low settlement offer appears in the days immediately following the accident, before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and how they will impact you long-term.

Do You Need a Lyft Accident Attorney in Atlanta?

After a Lyft accident, consider more than just the up-front cost of the lawyer. You should also consider the benefits a lawyer can offer: peace of mind, someone to deal with the insurance company on your behalf, and even, in many cases, an increased settlement that reflects your real financial damages as a result of the accident. At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we understand that money can get tight after an accident. We start with a free consultation and accept many of our clients on a contingent fee basis.

If you suffered injuries in a Lyft accident in Atlanta, do not wait to contact a lawyer. Instead, call Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, today at 404-418-8244 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.