A Lyft accident lawyer in Phoenix can help determine who compensates victims for injuries and damages. This will be based on several factors, including whether the driver was in “period 1” (not logged into the Lyft app and waiting for ride requests) or “period 2” (accepting a new ride request and en route to pick up the passenger). An attorney can also assist with projecting future medical costs resulting from your injuries.
Damages
When you are injured in a Lyft accident, your damages can be extensive. This includes medical bills, lost income due to inability to work, and pain and suffering. A Phoenix Lyft accident lawyer can review the accident report, speak to your medical team, and thoroughly investigate the crash scene and surrounding area to build your case. They can also use forensic software to develop computer simulations of the collision and demonstrate how it caused your injuries.
Drivers who work for Lyft have two options for insurance coverage: Period 2 (which is when they are logged into the app and waiting for a ride request to come in) or Period 3 (which is when they accept a ride request and stay with the passenger until they drop them off).
Insurance
Whether riding in a private vehicle, a taxi, or a rideshare car in Phoenix, people want to know that they will be compensated for their injuries and losses if they get into an accident. Fortunately, Lyft has insurance to cover this. As you may have heard, a Lyft driver is not considered an employee of the company but an independent contractor.
This difference may seem trivial, but it significantly impacts handling accident liability claims. Lyft drivers have three different periods, or “periods.” If they are in period 1 – their app is on, and they are waiting for a ride request to be matched – then their auto insurance applies. When they are in period 2 – they have a passenger – and are in their vehicle for a ride, they have Lyft’s insurance covering them up to $1 million.
Liability
Coverage may be available if you have been harmed by a Lyft driver who was under or uninsured. This insurance is called excess liability insurance. Drivers for Lyft are independent contractors rather than employees of the ridesharing company. For this reason, a Lyft accident attorney can clarify that you cannot hold the ridesharing company accountable for an accident one of its drivers causes.
But Lyft has insurance policies that cover injured passengers under some circumstances. A car accident attorney can provide further guidance on these matters. Whether you can recover from the driver’s private insurance, the driver’s insurance company or Lyft’s policy will depend on several factors.
Time Limits
Typically, it will take Lyft 30 to 60 days to investigate your accident. Lyft’s insurance carrier will want to speak to you about your accident and injuries. Insurance adjusters may try to convince you to give them a recorded statement about your accident and injuries. Could you not listen to them? They only limit your claim by paying you as little as possible.
They will do everything they can to lower your claim value, including checking medical treatment fees, confirming lost income and expenses, and talking with your employer to learn more about the impact on your life. Your lawyer will be able to counter these tactics and negotiate a fair settlement that genuinely covers your losses.
Consultation
Lyft drivers may be pressured to complete rides on routes they need to become more familiar with or within time limits. This can lead them to consult their GPS excessively, drive below the legal speed limit and impend traffic, or react poorly to various situations. The person who causes a crash is typically legally responsible for paying for accident-related losses. However, determining who is financially responsible can be complicated when multiple factors and parties are involved.
A lawyer can help you make sense of these complex issues and pursue the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. Lawyers stay current on rideshare laws to give you the best chance of a successful claim. They will investigate the accident, collect and evaluate evidence, determine your damages, and negotiate with insurance companies to get you a fair settlement.
