Lyft is a great way to leave the driving to someone else. When you hop in the back of a Lyft, however, you have no guarantees regarding how responsible or safe the driver is, and Lyft accidents are not uncommon. If a Lyft driver’s negligence leaves you injured, the claims process can be confusing, but obtaining just compensation that covers your complete physical, financial, and emotional losses is critical to your recovery, and an experienced Myrtle Beach Lyft accident attorney can help.
Filing Your Lyft Accident Claim
You’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, and the matter of which insurance company to file your claim with may have you confused. To begin, you should know that Lyft carries its own robust coverage on its drivers and the drivers themselves are required to carry a specific amount of liability insurance that’s intended to cover rideshare accidents.
How you file your Lyft accident claim comes down to where the Lyft driver is in the cycle, and you should keep in mind that you may have to file a claim with two insurance providers. Consider the following:
- If you are a passenger of the negligent Lyft driver at the time of the accident, you’ll file your claim with Lyft.
- You’ll also file your claim with Lyft if you’re an occupant of another vehicle, but the negligent Lyft driver has a passenger or is on the way to pick one up at the time of the accident.
- If, however, the negligent Lyft driver who caused the accident has no passenger at the time and is not on the way to pick one up, you’ll file your claim with the driver’s personal policy. If your damages exceed this policy’s limits, however, you’ll need to also file a claim with Lyft.
- If the negligent driver is off the app at the time of the accident – even if they’ve only toggled off momentarily – you’ll proceed just as you would after any other car accident and will file your claim with the driver’s personal provider.
Lyft Drivers and Negligence
Lyft drivers accept a good deal of responsibility when they choose to transport people for pay, but they aren’t required to have a commercial driver’s license, and there are no requirements regarding experience. At the same time, they face additional driving challenges such as interacting with the app, entering and exiting traffic frequently, and beyond. Another issue that joins the mix is that it’s not unheard of for Lyft drivers to engage in the same forms of negligence that other drivers do, including:
- Aggressive driving
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Failing to follow the traffic laws
Turn to an Experienced Myrtle Beach Lyft Accident Attorney for the Help You Need
The seasoned Lyft accident attorneys at John Price Law Firm – proudly serving Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – appreciate the serious nature of your situation and have a wealth of experience helping clients like you recover compensation for their losses. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 843-552-6011 today.