Services like Lyft provide an alternative to public and personal transportation. Whether you need a ride home after a night out or you’re looking to make a trip to the store or commute to work, ordering a Lyft is often convenient and generally cost-effective. Unfortunately, not every ride ends like it’s supposed to.
In the event you’re involved in a crash, a Kansas City Lyft accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices can examine your situation and determine if your driver was negligent and contributed to what happened. If that’s the case, you may be able to pursue a legal claim against them or Lyft to seek compensation for your injuries and any additional losses.
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Lyft Accidents: Understanding the Unique Legal Issues
While car accident claims tend to focus on proving fault and determining liability, there are unique legal issues pertaining to rideshare accidents. It’s important to understand what those issues are, so you understand how to successfully fight for compensation.
How Lyft classifies its drivers can impact how your personal injury claim goes. Because rideshare drivers are typically classified as independent contractors, Lyft can claim they are not responsible for the conduct of their drivers under certain circumstances. Your lawyer will need to build a claim that proves Lyft’s liability in the event you’re seeking compensation through Lyft’s liability insurance policy.
Determining which insurance coverage applies to your claim can be a challenge as well. While the rideshare driver is required to have insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will be enough to cover your losses. If that’s the case, you’ll need to pursue additional compensation from the rideshare company.
There’s also the matter of driver qualifications. While hired drivers like commercial truckers are subject to strict regulations designed to reduce risks of accidents, Lyft does not have the same mandatory oversight. This means that your lawyer could have to look into the driver’s records to determine if they posed an unreasonable safety risk prior to your accident.
How Do Lyft Crashes Happen?
As with any traffic accident, there are certain situations that are more likely to result in a crash. Examples include distracted driving, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In the event your driver is distracted, they could be texting, using the Lyft app to plan out their route, or talking on the phone. Reckless driving includes acts like breaking traffic laws, speeding, swerving, or merging improperly. If your driver is under the influence, they may be slurring their words, be unable to stay in their lane, or have problems operating their vehicle.
If at any time during a Lyft ride you feel unsafe, you have the right to terminate the ride and exit the vehicle. You can also report reckless driver behavior to Lyft so they can look into the matter to figure out what the driver did wrong and why. If, however, you end up in a crash, it’s important to know how to best recover from that situation.
Recovering From a Lyft Accident in Kansas City
If you’ve been involved in a Lyft accident, it’s important to understand what your legal options are, as well as any obligations you might have. Firstly, you’ll want to pursue medical treatment as soon as possible after the crash. This ensures any injuries are diagnosed and managed. In addition to that, you’ll have an official record of your injuries that can be used when calculating damages.
At the scene, make sure to document what you think happened and take photographs if possible. You may need to speak with a police officer at the scene or be asked for an official statement at a later time. You’ll also want to report the accident to Lyft. You can do this by connecting with the Claims Customer Care team. Lyft considers the following situations to be accidents:
- Vehicle Collision
- Vehicle struck an object (curb, wall, tree, etc.)
- Vehicle damaged third-party property
Once you’ve gotten in touch with a Kansas City lawyer, they’ll explain what the steps are for filing an injury claim and what you’ll need to do to receive the compensation you need to recover. If you choose to file a claim, your lawyer will help you collect evidence to support your side of the story. Medical records, the police report, photographs, and additional information will be collected.
In the event you’re only dealing with the driver’s insurance company, your lawyer could negotiate a settlement with them. If, however, you’re also taking legal action against Lyft, there’s a possibility you could have to file a lawsuit to receive the monetary award you deserve. Regardless of how your claim goes, your attorney will be by your side every step of the way.
Maximize Your Compensation With Thomas Law Offices
When you work with a Kansas City Lyft accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices, you’ll be giving yourself the best chance of receiving full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses. When you first get in touch will us, we’ll schedule a free case evaluation. During that meeting, we’ll go over what you’ve been through and explain your legal rights and options.
If you choose to pursue a personal injury claim against the negligent driver or Lyft, we’ll guide you through the process and help you build a claim that proves you were wronged. We understand the challenges of pursuing this type of case, and we have access to the resources and knowledge needed to help you succeed.
Because of how complex these cases are, it’s important to get in touch with our law firm as soon as possible after your accident. This way, we’ll have ample time to build your case. While we work on your legal affairs, you’ll have the time and space you need to recover and begin getting your life back to normal.
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