In South Florida, rideshare services are more popular than ever. Rideshare companies have found their niche with locals and tourists alike who would rather enjoy the ride than struggle with navigating the crowded roads or finding parking.
However, rideshare accidents can and do occur, though these are different from any other type of car accident. If you were in a Lyft accident, you may not know your legal rights. The Miami Lyft accident lawyers at Nunez Law have the experience you need to help you navigate the legal process for a rideshare accident.
After a Lyft accident in Miami, contact our Lyft accident lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how to move forward.
Understanding Legal Challenges Involved with a Lyft Accident Claim
Insurance claims are stressful enough after any car accident. When you are trying to make an insurance claim after a Lyft accident, there are unique legal challenges to overcome.
As a rideshare company, Lyft provides insurance coverage for both drivers and passengers.
This coverage is tiered, making it confusing for most people to determine how much coverage is available. It is different from first-party injury insurance policies in that the outcome varies based on the Lyft driver’s status at the time of the incident.
When the Lyft app is off, the Lyft driver’s insurance through their insurance company and their personal injury protection should be the primary source of coverage. However, if the Lyft app is turned on and the Lyft driver is waiting for a ride request, the Lyft insurance policies will be in effect.
After a Lyft driver accepts a ride, the insurance coverage extends and remains effective until the passenger reaches their destination. These distinctions are essential in a rideshare accident with Lyft because they directly impact who you can recover compensation from in rideshare accident cases.
Due to these factors, determining who is liable in a Lyft accident can become incredibly complicated. Unlike a typical car accident, there will be many more potentially liable parties, from Lyft itself to the rideshare driver and even other drivers involved in the rideshare accident.
After a Lyft accident, it is vital that you speak with a Lyft accident lawyer about your situation. Choose our car accident attorneys who have experience representing Lyft accident victims and fighting to recover compensation.
The Importance of Hiring Miami Lyft Accident Lawyers
In a Lyft accident, determining fault is essential to hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries, medical treatment, and damages. While every car accident will require an investigation to determine the cause and fault, there are unique factors involved in Lyft accidents that add another layer of complexity to legal claims.
With the assistance of a Miami Lyft accident attorney, they can investigate the driver’s status at the time the accident occurred. This information will determine if the driver was logged in, waiting for a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger. The driver’s actions will be examined, and other external factors, such as the weather, the roads, and the condition of the vehicle, will be analyzed.
Additionally, accident victims may find that comparative negligence laws in the state could assign them a portion of the fault. Even if rideshare drivers are only partly to blame, other parties, including Lyft passengers, could be deemed partially responsible.
If this sounds complicated to you, it gets even more confusing when factoring in third-party liability coverage. This is why it is crucial to hire a Lyft accident attorney to assist you in navigating the legal landscape. If you have suffered severe injuries from this event, schedule a free consultation with our Lyft accident attorneys to discuss your next steps.
Common Injuries in Lyft Accidents in Miami
Rideshare accidents can lead to painful injuries that may have permanent impacts. Bodily injury can occur in any accident in South Florida, and a Lyft accident is no different in that regard.
Traumatic brain injuries can happen when your brain is jostled around in your skull. These impacts can present in the form of a mild concussion, or they can be severe enough to hinder your cognitive abilities for the rest of your life.
Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, are also frequent. Often, whiplash will heal, though for many victims, chronic pain may be a daily occurrence. Other injuries in Miami Lyft accidents usually include broken bones, internal bleeding, and spinal cord injuries. Seek medical treatment immediately after this incident. After that, contact a Miami Lyft accident lawyer with Nunez Law to find out how we can assist in your financial recovery.
What to Do If You’re in a Miami Lyft Accident
If you are in a Lyft accident, it may take you completely by surprise as a passenger. Many people who call rideshare drivers often use the time they are being transported to look through their notes for work or their travel itineraries. When you’re not the driver, it is perfectly reasonable to leave the driving to the person behind the wheel of the Lyft vehicle.
Following the accident, your actions will help you and your personal injury attorney gather the documentation needed to seek compensation:
- Call the Police
Florida law requires an accident to be reported when there is extensive property damage, injuries, or a fatality. It can also help you establish a record of the accident taking place through the police report completed by officers on the accident scene.
- See a Doctor
Severe injuries will need to be treated promptly, and the hospital may be the best place to go. Even if your injuries aren’t life-threatening, you should get medical care and keep track of your medical records. This can help you prove your economic damages as well as your non-economic damages.
- Exchange Information and Get Evidence
As a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, you should collect the information of all parties involved. This includes drivers of other cars as well as the independent contractors known as Lyft drivers. You will need this information for their bodily injury and collision coverage to learn the actual cash value of the damages. Take photos and videos as well to serve as evidence that can help you file your claim.
- Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm
Due to the complexities involved when you are in an accident with Lyft drivers in South Florida, you should only proceed with legal guidance from personal injury accident lawyers. The personal injury attorneys at Nunez Law in Miami are prepared to assist you in exploring your legal options.
How to Seek Compensation for a Lyft Rideshare Accident
The first step in recovering compensation for the injuries and damages you’ve suffered in a Lyft accident is to establish liability. Our Lyft accident lawyers in Miami are adept at investigating and gathering evidence to help determine who is liable.
Lyft drivers may be one of the responsible parties, especially if they were driving negligently. If they were actively using the app, Lyft itself may be liable as well. Even local government entities may share some blame if they fail to keep the roads free of hazards, or a defect on the driver’s vehicle may mean the manufacturer is also liable.
Once you have received treatment for your injuries, a Lyft accident attorney can assist you in keeping organized as you pursue compensation for the financial losses you’ve incurred. Besides economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, you may also seek non-economic damages, which can include mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Lyft accidents are more complex in nature, especially considering the laws in South Florida. You should protect your best interests by discussing your legal situation with a Lyft accident attorney.
How to Choose the Right Miami Lyft Accident Lawyer
When you need a Lyft accident lawyer in Miami, you will find many attorneys in the area. However, only some car accident lawyers will have the experience required to represent you in legal matters involving Lyft. Here is what to look for when choosing Lyft accident lawyers.
- Experience with Lyft Legal Cases
The attorney you choose should not only have successfully represented many car accident claims in their career but also have experience in similar cases to yours. If you were in a Lyft accident, you would want to find a Miami personal injury attorney who has specifically handled cases involving this rideshare brand.
- Excellent Reputation
Always choose Miami Lyft accident lawyers with a solid reputation in the area. Even the best lawyers won’t win every time, but they should have a formidable stance that can help intimidate large entities like Lyft and its insurer.
- Access to Resources
Cases like these will require expert testimony. An attorney who is capable of retaining these resources will be better prepared to fight for your legal rights.
- Aggressive Representation
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing Lyft accident lawyers is strong and unwavering representation. Lyft and its insurers will do everything they can to protect their bottom line, but the right attorney will do everything they can to protect you. Contact Nunez Law today to schedule a free consultation about your Lyft accident.
