Winter Park Lyft Accident Lawyer

The last decade has seen the rise of many ridesharing companies, including Lyft. This ridesharing company operates in 644 cities in the U.S., and it is not uncommon to spot a Lyft-affiliated car on Winter Park roads. Despite the benefits that come with taking a Lyft ride, there is always a chance that you may be involved in an accident and get hurt. Whether you are a Lyft driver or a passenger, you may need the help of an experienced Winter Park Lyft accident lawyer to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. At The Datny Law Firm, we have worked with many Lyft accident victims and can help prove the at-fault party’s liability. For a free consultation, call us any time at 407-753-7474.

Insurance Issues in Lyft Accidents

Various parties can be held liable for your injuries in a Winter Park Lyft accident, including the Lyft ridesharing company, the Lyft driver, or another motorist. However, Lyft considers its drivers to be independent contractors and is therefore quick to deny responsibility for an accident involving a Lyft-affiliated car. A personal car insurance policy or a commercial insurance policy with a special provision to provide insurance coverage while working as a Lyft driver may be sufficient to cover passengers in case of an accident. However, most ridesharing drivers won’t have any of these insurance policies to cover a passenger’s injuries.

Personal car insurance policies for such drivers may have a “business use exception” that will not cover injuries and damages when the driver uses the car for profit. Like other ridesharing companies, Lyft-affiliated cars carry third party liability insurance coverage. The coverage pays up to $1 million for property damage and personal injuries per accident. However, this policy only applies after the driver’s insurance has been exhausted (Lyft requires its drivers to have their own coverage). If you suffer injuries while riding in a Lyft, you may be covered under this policy if the Lyft driver is at fault for the accident.

In some cases, the Lyft driver may not be at fault for the accident that caused your injuries. In such situations, you would pursue compensation from the at-fault driver via a third party car insurance claim against their insurance carrier or a personal injury lawsuit. However, things might get complicated if the at-fault driver doesn’t have car insurance, or the one they have isn’t sufficient to fully compensate you for your injuries.

In such cases, Lyft provides another insurance policy known as the uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance coverage. It provides $1 million in coverage per accident but only applies if the at-fault driver is unknown, lacks car insurance, or doesn’t have enough car insurance to compensate you for your losses. Further, this policy only applies if an accident happens when the Lyft driver is on the job (en-route to the passenger’s drop-off point). If the insurance companies refuse to pay out, or the policies are not enough to fully compensate you, you have an option to pursue the ridesharing company itself. If you choose this option, it’s imperative to hire a Winter Park Lyft accident attorney.

Steps To Take After a Winter Park Lyft Accident

Lyft accidents are no different from other car accidents. Whenever these accidents occur, there are certain steps you need to take, as an injured passenger, to protect your rights and help you build a strong case against the at-fault driver. Here are some of those steps.

• Call the authorities and inform them of the accident.
• Remain at the accident scene.
• Exchange contact and insurance information of all the parties involved in the accident.
• Collect contact information from eyewitnesses.
• Take photos of the crash site, the vehicles involved, and your injuries.
• Seek medical attention, even if you feel okay.
• Contact a Winter Park Lyft accident lawyer.

Damages Awarded in a Winter Park Lyft Accident Claim

If you have been injured in a Winter Park Lyft accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for various damages. The most common types of damages you may be awarded include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic Damages

These are damages awarded as compensation for the monetary losses you suffer following an accident. Some of the commonest economic damages for which you may receive compensation after a Lyft accident in Winter Park include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost income/wages
• Loss of earning capacity due to long-term disability or permanent disfigurement
• Property damage
• Vocational rehabilitation such as physiotherapy
• Costs of home or car modification (including fitting ramps if you are using a wheelchair)
• Household services such as nursing services
• Out-of-pocket costs

Non-Economic Damages

Unlike economic damages, these damages are awarded to the plaintiff and their family as redress for their loss of joy and quality of life. In most cases, injured parties may encounter a hard trying to do an activity that they would previously do with ease. Plaintiffs may therefore receive non-economic damages for:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium for a spouse
• Aggravation of pre-existing conditions or injuries

Punitive Damages

These damages may be awarded in some Lyft accident claims if the actions of the at-fault driver are deemed as gross negligence. These damages serve as punishment to deter the defendant and the general public from acting carelessly.

Proving Liability in a Lyft Accident

Proving liability in a Winter Park Lyft accident requires the plaintiff to show that another party acted negligently and caused the accident. Further, you are required to show that the at-fault party breached their duty of care. You may also show that the at-fault party acted in a way that another reasonable party wouldn’t. Most importantly, you should prove that the negligence of the at-fault party led to your injuries, which in turn resulted in a loss.

Contact an Experienced Winter Park Lyft Accident Injury Attorney

Cases involving ridesharing companies such as Lyft can be difficult to deal with, given the various insurance carriers involved. Hiring a Lyft Accident lawyer who is experienced at dealing with insurance companies may help you get enough compensation to cover your injuries and losses. If you have been injured in an accident involving a Lyft-affiliated car, contact The Datny Law Firm to help you recover compensation for your injuries.