Lyft drivers seem to be everywhere these days, and they’re a real convenience. If, however, you’re injured in a Lyft accident, navigating the path forward toward just compensation can be exceptionally challenging. Once you determine which insurance company – or companies – you should file with, there is the matter of negotiating fair terms. One of the most important steps anyone in your situation can take is consulting with an experienced Philadelphia Lyft accident lawyer early in the process.
Filing Your Claim with the Right Insurance Provider
If you’re injured by a Lyft driver’s negligence, the first order of business – after seeking the immediate medical attention you need and securing seasoned legal representation – is determining which insurance company you should file your claim with. The determining factor is where the Lyft driver is in the Lyft process, including:
- If you are a passenger in the Lyft vehicle, you’ll file your claim with Lyft’s own coverage, which is robust.
- If you’re in the other vehicle involved but the Lyft driver has a passenger or is on their way to pick one up, you’ll still file with the Lyft provider.
- If the Lyft driver is on the app waiting to be assigned a passenger, you’ll need to file your claim with the driver’s personal coverage, which they are required by Lyft to carry. If your claim taps out their policy, however, you’ll need to file a claim with the driver’s provider and with Lyft’s provider.
- If the Lyft driver is off the app, your claim will proceed in the same way it would in any other car accident, which is through the negligent driver’s policy. It’s important to note here that a person can drive for Lyft for hours on end, but if they hop off the app immediately before an accident, they’re no longer a Lyft driver for the purposes of the accident claim.
Lyft Driver Negligence
Lyft drivers bear a considerable amount of responsibility, and any form of negligence on their part can prove devastating. Common examples include the following:
- Distraction – Even the Lyft app can prove distracting.
- Exhaustion – Lyft drivers make their living behind the wheel, and some push the boundaries of exhaustion.
- Excess Speed – The faster a motorist travels, the more likely they are to cause an accident and the more likely the accident is to be fatal.
- Impairment – When the Lyft driver is under the influence, they put everyone on the road at increased risk.
- Aggression – The more passengers Lyft drivers deliver to different locations, the more they earn, and for some, this can lead to dangerous aggression behind the wheel.
- Failure to Follow the Rules of the Road – Lyft drivers have a lot to contend with, including traveling in areas they may not be familiar with. This mixed with everything else they have going on can lead to cutting safety corners.
Seek the Help You Need from an Experienced Philadelphia Lyft Accident Lawyer
The trusted Philadelphia Lyft accident attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers have the impressive experience, keen legal skill, and resources to help you resolve your claim favorably and obtain the compensation to which you’re entitled. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 267-551-8782 and scheduling a free consultation today.