Boston Lyft Car Accident Lawyer
An accident that involves a rideshare driver can make it difficult to know who to seek compensation from. Get the answers you need by working with a Boston Lyft car accident lawyer.
Getting hurt in a car crash that was caused by a Lyft driver isn’t like other car accidents. Lyft drivers are independent contractors rather than direct employees of Lyft, so the rideshare company isn’t automatically responsible for the damages and injuries they cause in all situations.
If you were injured, you’re going to need compensation to pay for all of the medical care involved in your recovery. However, first you’ll need to know who to file your personal injury claim against. A Boston Lyft car accident lawyer from Joel H. Schwartz, PC can help you discover the answer to this question.
When Lyft Is Responsible for Damages
Like most rideshare companies, Lyft has a couple of different insurance policies that could apply depending on the status of the app at the time of the crash and whether a paying customer’s ride was in progress.
If the Lyft driver had a paying passenger in the vehicle when your wreck took place, then Lyft’s full insurance policy should cover your damages and injuries. This policy is also in effect if the driver has accepted a ride and was en route to pick the fare up. There is a $1,000,000 limit per accident for this policy.
If the Lyft app’s “driver mode” is engaged but the driver has not yet accepted a ride request, then the driver is considered on the clock, but a more limited contingent liability policy will apply. You might need to seek compensation from the driver’s personal insurance policy before Lyft’s in this situation.
When the Lyft Driver Is Responsible for Damages
Accidents can just as easily happen when a rideshare driver isn’t on the clock. If the Lyft app was not active or driver mode was not engaged at the time of the wreck, your claim will need to be filed directly against the driver and his or her personal insurance policy.
Some insurance policies view commercial driving such as ridesharing as a reason to terminate the policy. If this happens, you might have to file an uninsured driver claim with your own insurance company.
What Can Be Compensated in a Rideshare Auto Wreck?
Whether your settlement comes from Lyft’s policy or the driver’s, you should expect to have all of your financial losses and non-economic damages factored into the settlement. The insurance company won’t do this for you, so we’ll need to arrive at a full assessment of your claim’s value before negotiations actually begin.
Listed below are a few of the damages that might apply to your case:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost income and reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle repair and property damage
- Alternative transportation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and emotional distress
Speak with a Boston Rideshare Auto Wreck Attorney
Getting hit by a Lyft driver can create an incredibly confusing situation, but it’s possible to come out of the ordeal with a comprehensive settlement to cover your injuries and losses. Joel H. Schwartz, PC can help you overcome the obstacles in the way to your financial award. It all starts with a free case evaluation, so give us a call at 1-800-660-2270 or complete the contact form below.