When a Lyft driver gets into an accident, what happens after depends on many factors, including the circumstances of the crash and the driver’s insurance status. Your options will depend on what you were doing at the time of the accident, whether Lyft employs you or the other party, and whether the involved drivers have personal coverage.
Insurance Coverage Offered by Lyft
According to Lyft’s information on insurance coverage, there are circumstances in which the company provides “third-party liability insurance for covered accidents if your personal insurance does not apply.” This coverage is designed to protect the Lyft driver from the time they accept the ride request until the ride is completed.
Contingent Collision Coverage
This coverage covers the damage to the Lyft driver’s vehicle as long as they also have their own collision coverage on their personal insurance. This coverage will apply regardless of whether the Lyft driver was at fault for the accident.
Contingent Comprehensive Coverage
If the Lyft driver maintains comprehensive coverage on their own personal insurance, Lyft’s comprehensive coverage covers non-collision damage to their vehicle. Just like Lyft’s contingent collision coverage, this applies regardless of fault.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
This coverage applies to both the Lyft driver and their passengers if they are struck by an uninsured or underinsured motorist who is at fault for the accident.
When Lyft’s Coverage Does not Apply
If the driver is offline on the app, their own personal insurance applies, not their Lyft insurance coverage. This is considered personal driving and is not covered, even if the driver was recently active on the app. Additionally, some of these coverages may only apply at certain points during the ride (such as when passengers are in the vehicle).
What to do when Lyft’s Insurance Coverage is not Enough
Lyft’s liability insurance is capped at $1,000,000 when there is a passenger in the vehicle, and at $100,000 when the driver is on the app but does not yet have a passenger. This may not be enough to cover your losses if you suffer serious injuries after being involved in a Lyft accident as a passenger, driver, pedestrian, or cyclist.
Your Options as a Lyft Driver
Since your insurance coverage protects you regardless of who is at fault for the accident, you can file a claim to recover compensation to get your vehicle repaired, pay off your medical bills, and offset your lost wages. Unfortunately, if you were seriously injured, this may not be enough.
If the other driver who struck you was at fault for the accident—either because of a negligent act or omission—then you can recover damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and “pain and suffering” and inconvenience through a lawsuit. A personal injury attorney with experience handling Lyft accident cases can investigate your accident to determine what caused the crash and to prove that the other driver’s negligence resulted in your injuries.
Your Options as a Lyft Passenger
Although you can file a claim with Lyft’s insurance and/or the other involved parties’ insurance, that still may not be enough if you have suffered serious injuries. A lawyer can help you hold the negligent party who caused your accident and injuries accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
Your Options if You were Struck by a Lyft Driver
If a Lyft driver struck you, the amount of money you can recover by filing a claim with Lyft’s insurance might vary. The amount you can secure is based on the crash circumstances and if there were Lyft passengers in the vehicle at the time.
When a negligent Lyft driver seriously injures you, you may be able to sue the company’s (or the driver’s) policy for damages such as your resulting medical bills, lost wages, and “pain and suffering” and inconvenience.
Benefits of Pursuing Your Legal Rights
You could hold a liable driver accountable for their reckless or negligent actions. This might force them to reconsider their actions and drive safer in the future. It could also provide you some closure after the trauma you suffered. Call today so we can get started on your case.
Most importantly, a settlement or judgment could take the pressure off you if you are struggling to pay your regular bills and your accident-connected losses. Your lawyer will strive for a goal figure that fairly compensates you for damages.
Contact the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC Today
According to Va. Code §8.01-243 and Va. Code §8.01-244, the statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit after a Lyft accident is generally two years.
Since your time is limited, call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC to get started today. Contact us at (571) 229-1800 to learn more about what happens when a Lyft driver gets into an accident and to receive your free case evaluation.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form