Back in the day, if you were in downtown Columbia and wanted to catch a cab, you might get lucky if you went out to the street and flagged one down with a whistle or a wave. You could also call for a cab, but there was no guarantee when it would show up.
Now, you can open the Lyft rideshare app on your smartphone and have a ride pull up within minutes.
Rideshare apps like Lyft are making it easy for folks to go out on a night on the town without worrying about parking. They’re also great for airport runs or if your car is in the shop getting worked on. When you ride in a lift, you’ll be in the backseat, which might be a new experience for you. You’re also putting your trust in a driver who’s a complete stranger to you.
Like any other driver, they are susceptible to distractions or the occasional misjudgment in their driving practices. That can lead to an accident. There is also the scenario where another car can get into a collision with your Lyft ride. In either scenario, you will be entitled to seek compensation for any financial losses. That is where you need support from a Columbia Lyft accident attorney.
At The Solomon Law Group, LLC, we’re dedicated to helping you recover what you’re owed from a negligent Lyft driver. With one of our lawyers on your side, you can feel confident in your claim and have peace of mind knowing that we are thorough and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Can You Sue Lyft for an Accident?
Establishing liability in a rideshare accident can be complex. You may be able to sue Lyft for the damages from an accident, but only if the driver was logged into the company’s digital network at the time of the accident.
That’s true if they are carrying a passenger or on route to pick up a fare. In other words, if a Lyft driver collides with your car when they are “off the clock,” Lyft would not be responsible for any damages.
You do not have to undergo any type of special training to become a Lyft driver. However, the following are the requirements that a Lyft driver needs to meet in order to drive on behalf of the company:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Pass the Department of Motor Vehicles and criminal background checks
- Have an iPhone or Android smartphone
- Their car must have four doors
- The driver must have a valid driver’s license
Your rideshare accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the driver’s history.
If they are driving without meeting Lyft’s requirements, and that’s a factor in the accident, that can make Lyft liable for damages.
If Lyft denies responsibility or tries to shift the complete blame to their driver, there might be no other recourse but to file a civil complaint and take them to court. In that case, we’ll pivot to litigator, where we advocate for you in front of a jury.
We’ve learned over the years that when you present a firm resolve and take a company like Lyft to court, they are more inclined to settle before the jury has a chance to weigh in. Our goal is always to ensure our clients receive the maximum compensation they are owed. Reach out to our Columbia Lyft accident lawyer today.
What You Can Recover in Compensation
If you’re a passenger in a Lyft car that gets into an accident, you can sustain any number of serious injuries, including the following:
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Muscle strains
- Neck injuries
- Internal organ injuries
After a thorough investigation, you and your Lyft accident attorneys will be able to calculate what full and fair compensation would be for your losses.
The two categories that your recovered damages will fall into are economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are the real costs that you incurred from the accident. These tangible losses can easily be calculated through documentation like bills and receipts. Some economic damages that you can recover after a Lyft accident are:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medication costs
- Ongoing and future care costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished or lost earning capacity
- Property damage
Car accidents can cause more than physical injuries—they can also cause you to suffer from emotional injuries that are difficult to put a price tag on. These are known as non-economic damages and can be harder to calculate, but still can be recovered when you file a claim against the negligent Lyft driver or whoever was responsible for your accident.
Here are some examples of non-economic damages that you might be able to recover:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
This all might seem overwhelming and complex, especially when you’re trying to focus on your physical and emotional recovery after being hurt. That’s why hiring Columbia, SC Lyft accident lawyers from The Solomon Law Group can help. We’ll take on the insurance companies and Lyft on your behalf so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
Lyft Driver Insurance Coverage Requirements
Every insurance policy has limits. As someone making a claim against the insurance company, you are bound by those limits. In other words, you can’t ask or receive more than the insurance policy allows.
One of the first things that Columbia, SC, rideshare accident attorneys will look into is the limits of the policy.
Under Lyft’s company policy, they provide this coverage when there is an accident during rides when passengers are in the car:
- $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability
- Underinsured and uninsured motorist bodily injury
- Contingent comprehensive and collision up to the actual cash value of the car, with a $2,500 deductible
However, Lyft drivers can also get into accidents when they don’t have a ride in progress. When a Lyft driver gets into an accident while the app is on, but they don’t have a passenger in the car, and they aren’t on the way to pick up a passenger, then Lyft still has a policy to protect the driver.
Here’s the third-party liability coverage for when a driver is waiting for a ride request:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
When a Lyft driver is not using the app and gets into an accident, their own personal insurance policy is responsible for the injuries and damages sustained. In South Carolina, drivers must have a minimum car insurance policy that covers:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
It is important to note that certain insurance carriers will not cover a driver who is working for a rideshare company like Lyft. They would have to secure a policy that covers them, even when they aren’t driving for the company.
When you’ve been in an accident with a Lyft driver, you could file a claim with the help of one of our Columbia Lyft accident attorneys. We’ll investigate what happened in your accident, determine who was responsible, and calculate what you’re owed in damages. With The Solomon Law Group on your side, you’ll be able to rest assured that you’ll be properly represented.
Hire a Columbia Lyft Accident Lawyer to Represent You
Choosing to take a Lyft can be a conscious decision for safety or ease. Rideshare apps like Lyft can be convenient and cost-effective ways to get around the city or get out of town. When your Lyft driver is negligent and causes an accident, or you’re in an accident caused by another driver while getting a ride, you should not have to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, or any other damages.
If the Solomon Law Group, LLC agrees to take on your case, we’ll provide access to our network of investigators to determine who contributed fault in the accident and what liability Lyft can be held accountable for.
You shouldn’t have to go through this alone. That’s why our Columbia Lyft accident lawyer will guide you through every step of the claim-filing process.
Contact us today so we can get started on your potential case.
