Lyft is a great option if you want to leave the hassle of driving and parking to someone else. If, however, you’re injured in the process, the path forward toward recovery can be exceptionally challenging. If this is the difficult situation you find yourself in, it’s time to consult with an experienced Summerville Lyft accident attorney.
Lyft Drivers Are Not Commercial Drivers
While it’s true that we pay Lyft drivers to ferry us from place to place, they’re not identified as commercial drivers in the eyes of the law. As a result, they’re not held to the same exacting standards that commercial drivers – like truckers, bus drivers, and taxi drivers – are. In other words, they don’t need a special driver’s license or any additional experience to drive for Lyft.
It’s important to take all the following into consideration:
- Driving for Lyft comes with built-in distractions that include interacting with the app, locating passengers waiting to be picked up, navigating areas the driver may be unfamiliar with, and more.
- Lyft drivers must enter and exit traffic frequently, which is one of the most dangerous elements of driving.
- Lyft drivers make frequent stops, which is another primary risk factor when it comes to traffic accidents.
Insurance Coverage and Your Lyft Accident Claim
Where the Lyft driver is in the rideshare process determines which insurance company you’ll file your claim with, and it’s important to keep in mind that there might be two insurance companies involved. Consider the following:
- You’ll file your claim with Lyft’s insurance provider if you were a passenger in the Lyft vehicle at the time of the accident if the Lyft driver had a passenger at the time, or if the Lyft driver was on the way to pick up a passenger at the time.
- If the Lyft driver was on the app and was waiting to be assigned a passenger, the driver’s own policy kicks in. Lyft drivers are required to carry a specific amount of coverage for this very purpose, and if the amount doesn’t cover your complete physical, financial, and emotional losses, Lyft’s coverage will be triggered.
- If the Lyft driver has turned off the app – even momentarily – it’s no longer considered a Lyft accident, and you’ll file your claim with the driver’s personal policy, which will proceed in the same way that other car accident claims do.
It’s important to note that just because you know which insurance provider – or providers – to file your claim with doesn’t mean they’re going to make it easy for you. Insurance companies are motivated by high profits, which makes having a skilled Lyft accident attorney on your side always well-advised.
An Experienced Summerville Lyft Accident Attorney Is Standing By to Help
The trusted Lyft accident attorneys at John Price Law Firm in Summerville, South Carolina, appreciate the challenges you face as the victim of a Lyft driver’s negligence and are well prepared to unleash the full force of their impressive experience in pursuit of your claim’s best possible resolution. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 843-552-6011 today.