Lyft Insurance Claims: How to Navigate a Confusing System

Lyft Insurance Claims: How to Navigate a Confusing System

Dealing With Lyft Insurance Claims

If you've been involved in a Lyft accident, chances are, you're confused about how to navigate the complex insurance liability system. Do you have the right to make an insurance claim? Is Lyft—or the Lyft driver who was responsible for your accident—responsible for helping to pay your bills? Florida's no-fault law makes it even more difficult: are you responsible for taking care of your own medical bills? What if you don't drive and therefore don't carry personal injury protection insurance? Navigating this complex system can leave many victims with a headache that has nothing to do with their injuries. Fortunately, with the help of an attorney experienced in ride-sharing accidents, you can navigate the system more effectively to get the help and compensation you need.

What Is a No-Fault Law in a Lyft Accident?

In the state of Florida, the “no-fault law” means that drivers are responsible for carrying insurance that will pay for their medical expenses following an accident. Each driver in the state of Florida must carry at least $10,000 of protection that will help cover the cost of hospitalization, lost time at work, and other key expenses related to the accident. Following an accident, it doesn't matter who is at fault: Each individual, including both drivers and passengers, turn to their insurance company for the coverage and protection they need. Unfortunately, this insurance often comes with a deductible of around $1,000, and it may not provide all the compensation many accident victims need. In this case, victims have the right to sue the one ruled at-fault for an accident for:

• Damages in excess of $10,000
• Pain and suffering
• Expected continuing medical expenses

The no-fault law also does not apply when one of the drivers is permanently disabled as a result of the crash. In this case, the driver ruled at fault for the accident may be ruled responsible for paying some of those fees.

How Does the No-Fault Law Apply to Lyft Drivers?

Ride-sharing drivers are required to carry higher levels of insurance than normal drivers. Not only that, they are covered by Lyft (or Uber, if that happens to be the company that you're using) while they're transporting passengers. Also, both Lyft and Uber acknowledge that not all of their passengers are drivers themselves, and may not carry personal injury protection insurance. If you are injured as a result of an accident in a Lyft vehicle, you may be due compensation for your injuries. Note that when you initially go to the hospital following the accident, you will be required to provide your personal insurance information as the initial method of payment for your accident. After that, however, Lyft may take over responsibility for payment or make restitution to you for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the most part, it is Lyft, rather than the driver of the vehicle, that assumes responsibility for these expenses. In some cases, however, you may also have a case against the driver of the vehicle. If they were driving while intoxicated or engaging in reckless driving behavior, the Lyft driver may have serious repercussions for their driving behaviors and the accident. It's important that you take the necessary steps to report unsafe driving behaviors to the police following an accident, both to provide a trail of evidence and to ensure that your driver faces the consequences of their actions and does not engage in those driving behaviors in the future.

How Do You Get the Compensation You Need for a Lyft Accident?

If you've been injured in a Lyft accident, you need the support of an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure that you get the protection and compensation you need. When you get into a Lyft vehicle, you're assuming that you are working with a safe, competent driver who has been vetted by the company. Unfortunately, in some cases, you may still be injured while riding in a Lyft vehicle. It's important, therefore, that you take the correct steps to move forward with your claim, including gathering supporting information that is relevant to your accident.

• Make sure you collect appropriate documentation.You should document your injuries clearly, including both acquiring documentation from your doctor and taking pictures of your injuries. Note that you should continue to take pictures of your injury throughout the healing process. Get copies of the police report and any witness statements about the accident, especially if your Lyft driver was at fault. Collecting documentation will provide your lawyer, the judge, and anyone else involved in the case with the necessary information to make important decisions about the compensation you're due.
• Work with a lawyer with experience in Florida personal injury law.The legal system can be daunting, especially if you have no prior experience. In some cases, you may struggle to understand the process or what demands will be made of you following your accident. By working with a lawyer, you can significantly improve your ability to navigate the system and get the compensation you're due. You will also receive advice about your situation as a whole, including what you should and shouldn't post on social media, how to handle contacts from the company, and how you should conduct yourself in court.
• Don't sign any paperwork until you consult with your lawyer. Many insurance companies, including the companies that work for both Uber and Lyft, are eager to offer the lowest possible amount of compensation to any individual who has been involved in an accident. As a result, it's important that you avoid signing settlement agreements or statements until you've spoken with your lawyer. They will help you determine whether or not signing will be in your best interest as well as evaluating how much you stand to gain from the accident.

Call Dolman Law Today for Help With Lyft Accidents

If you've been injured in a Lyft accident, don't delay seeking legal help! Contact us today at (727) 451-6900. We can schedule a free consultation and may help you successfully navigate your case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 727-451-6900 https://www.dolmanlaw.com/car-accident-lawyer/lyft/