When a Lyft accident happens, understanding your legal rights can be very complicated.
That’s because Lyft provides third-party auto insurance, but it is active under only limited circumstances.
Victims of collisions involving Lyft drivers need to understand the special rules for holding rideshare apps accountable, and should get legal help from an attorney experienced with these claims.
Monge & Associates can provide the help and support that crash victims need.
Our Richmond Lyft accident lawyers know the ins and outs of rideshare accidents, have experience standing up to big insurers representing the major apps, and can put our extensive legal knowledge to work on your claim.
Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation and learn more.
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Why Choose Monge & Associates
Crash victims have many law firms to turn to when they are involved in rideshare crashes, but not all of those firms are created equal.
When you need a compassionate and knowledgeable legal advocate after being harmed by a Lyft driver, Monge & Associates is the right choice to represent you because:
- We have been representing injured victims for more than 20 years, and we have recovered millions in car accident claims.
- We have a deep understanding of the laws related to rideshare drivers and accidents, and can make solid legal arguments.
- We have experience gathering evidence in Lyft accident cases, including driver cell phone records, to help prove the cause of the crash
- We are prepared to resolve your case through settlement or court proceedings, so we can go the distance in the pursuit of justice
Our firm has been named as one of the most influential law firms in America by Trial Magazine, and we have received thousands of five-star reviews.
When you’re going up against big companies like Lyft and insurers whose allegiance is to those companies, you need a legal team like ours fighting for you.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
Virginia law has a number of legal rules related to rideshare drivers, including laws making clear these vehicles are not considered commercial vehicles or buses, and making clear that rideshare drivers are not entitled to specific labor law protections such as overtime pay.
Rideshare drivers are considered to be independent contractors in Virginia, so they are not Lyft employees.
Lyft still has certain requirements for rideshare drivers, though, including that drivers carry their own auto insurance coverage.
Based on these laws, victims can pursue a claim against a Lyft driver directly in circumstances where the driver violated safety rules or was more negligent than a hypothetical average reasonable driver would be.
However, because Lyft does have third-party insurance coverage, the app’s insurer will sometimes pay for damages even though Lyft is not liable under Virginia’s vicarious liability laws for the on-the-job negligence of Lyft drivers.
Complex Insurance Coverage in Lyft Accidents
Lyft’s insurance rules are complicated because the app’s third-party coverage only kicks in when the driver is engaged in certain types of activities and the amount of coverage varies depending on what the driver is doing at the time of the incident.
Specifically, Lyft provides:
- No coverage when the app is off. Drivers must rely on their own auto insurance coverage
- Up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage if the app is active for drivers to receive ride requests
- Up to $1 million in liability coverage if the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or is actively transporting a passenger
It is important to understand what the driver was doing at the time of the accident to determine if you’ll be making your claim to Lyft’s insurer or to the driver’s.
Monge & Associates will help you untangle which coverage applies and will negotiate aggressively with whatever insurer is responsible for covering your losses to help you get the maximum compensation possible based on your case.
Types of Compensation Available
Car crash victims may be entitled to many different kinds of compensation, including payment for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Future medical care
- Loss of earning capacity
You may need expert witnesses, a pain diary, medical records, and other evidence to help you prove the extent of these losses so you can maximize the amount of damages you collect.
Steps To Take After a Lyft Accident
In the aftermath of a Lyft accident, it is important that you take specific steps to try to protect your damage claim and to minimize the long-term consequences of the injuries the accident caused.
Some of the key steps that you’ll need to take following a Lyft accident include the following:
- Get immediate medical attention: Getting prompt treatment can help you prevent minor problems from becoming major ones, and can ensure that your medical issues are documented as being caused by the crash.
- Document everything possible: This includes witness contact details and photos from the crash scene.
- Report the accident to Lyft: Alert the rideshare company right away online or via app
- Contact your insurance. You may need help from your insurer covering losses if Lyft denies responsibility and/or if the rideshare driver doesn’t have enough coverage.
- Preserve evidence: Be sure to keep all medical records, police reports, copies of correspondence, and anything else that could help to prove the cause of the crash or the extent of your damages.
- Contact a Lyft accident lawyer: An experienced Richmond Lyft accident lawyer will help you navigate the process and protect your claim.
Why Choose a Specialized Lyft Accident Attorney
Finding the right Lyft accident lawyer is critical as you navigate the legal process and fight for justice – especially since Lyft has its own team of lawyers protecting its interests.
The key things to look for when finding a legal advocate include the following:
- Experience with rideshare cases: Monge & Associates has represented many victims of Lyft and Uber accidents, so we understand the special rules and processes involved in these claims.
- Understanding of local laws: It’s important to know how Virginia treats rideshare drivers under the law and what insurance coverage is required. Our legal team keeps up to date with legal developments and knows how current laws are applied and how they impact your claim.
- Track record of success: We have recovered millions of dollars for clients, both from settlements and court cases. We have trial experience, solid negotiating skills, a history of successes, and many positive reviews from satisfied clients who we have helped navigate the aftermath of rideshare crashes.
- No fees unless we win: Our firm won’t charge you for legal fees unless we recover compensation for you, so you don’t need to worry about getting hit with big bills
- 24/7 availability: If you have a question or need help, Monge & Associates is here and ready to help at any time, day or night.
Contact a Richmond Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t try to handle your Lyft accident case alone, as you could leave money on the table or even jeopardize your claim. Find a caring, compassionate, and experienced lawyer who will fight for you.
Call Monge & Associates today to learn about how our Richmond Lyft accident lawyers can help.