Lyft AccidentIn this day and age, ridesharing services are a common way to travel. There are many reasons for booking a ride with a Lyft. Many people plan out their night to include a Lyft ride in order to avoid drinking and driving. Others want to skip the process of renting a car when they travel for business or pleasure and find it much easier to rely on calling a Lyft instead. Some people in larger cities are finding that they mostly don’t need a car in most situations and can get by taking public transportation with the knowledge that a ridesharing service is always available when needed.
Hiring a Lyft is a popular solution for many different scenarios, and in Gwinnett County, Georgia, this has become a much-used option. Still, what happens when you’re riding in a Lyft and are in an accident? That’s where things become a bit tricky.
If you’ve been involved in an accident while you were riding in a Lyft, it is advisable to speak with an experienced Gwinnett County Lyft accident attorney from Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC who understands the process of working through this sort of claim.
What to Do if You’re Injured in a Lyft Accident
When you’re injured in an accident it can seem like time slows down, and it’s difficult to think clearly. Although you might be having challenges making decisions after such a traumatic event, it is important to keep in mind that your safety and recovery is the top priority. Here are some steps to take if you’ve suffered injuries while riding in a Lyft.
- Ask your driver, if they are able, to call the police. If your driver is too badly injured, make this call or ask someone nearby to do so. Contacting the police is an important step because they will act as the first responders on the scene of the accident. They can call for medical assistance if needed. They can also speak with any witnesses who happened to see what occurred during the accident. Often, they will also issue a ticket to the party they believe to be at fault. The police will also evaluate the scene of the accident in order to write up a full report on what happened. This is a valuable piece of documentation for your attorney to review when putting together your claim.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think you’ve sustained any serious injuries, it is essential to go to see a doctor right away. Many major injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and whiplash can take hours or even days to present symptoms. Avoiding a doctor can be critical when it comes to your health as you might find that you are actually experiencing pain and symptoms down the road. Additionally, if you can’t provide evidence that you sought medical attention right away, the insurance company can attempt to claim that either your injuries weren’t that serious, or worse, that they aren’t even related to the accident. Play it safe and always see a doctor after you’ve been in a car accident.
- Speak with a trusted attorney. Accident cases can be complicated, and when you’re riding in a car that’s operated by a Lyft driver, the situation becomes even more convoluted. Who is responsible for covering your medical bills? When can you expect to receive compensation? What amount should you settle for? These are all questions that your lawyer can help walk you through. At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we will evaluate both who is at fault for the accident, and the fair estimate of damages that require compensation. These two topics – who is at fault and what the total damages will be are the cornerstone of your Lyft accident case. In order to maximize the value of your claim, our attorneys will put together a comprehensive evaluation of your total medical bills, lost wages, damage to property, and so on. In addition to understanding the value of your claim, an attorney can help reduce the stress that incurs after a serious Lyft accident. We understand that when you’re recovering from a Lyft accident, the last thing you want to think about is dealing with aggressive insurance companies who are attempting to minimize the value of your claim. Let us step in to help.
Who Is Liable After a Gwinnett County Lyft Accident?
Who is liable for your Lyft accident? This is the million-dollar question that needs to get answered so that you can recover compensation. As the passenger, you will need to know who to pursue for compensation. Is the driver responsible since you were riding in their car? Or is Lyft responsible, since they are the parent company, who is offering a ride from a representative of their company? These are complicated questions without a straightforward answer. They are mostly situational.
Lyft requires all drivers to carry their own personal car insurance. When a driver is not logged into the Lyft app, Lyft as a company will not provide any insurance coverage. At this point, it will be up to the driver to cover the damages with their insurance. On the other hand, if the driver is logged into the app and has accepted a ride request, you are covered for up to 1 million dollars by Lyft’s insurance. As you can see, it can be tricky in certain situations to determine who is responsible for covering damages in the event of an accident. For this reason, it is advisable to speak to an experienced Gwinnett County personal injury attorney about your specific scenario.
