Lyft Accidents

Lyft is one of the two major rideshare companies in the United States, along with Uber. Lyft requires drivers have very few qualifications, which means that Lyft accidents are common. Recovering financial compensation after a car accident can always be challenging; however, that is especially the case after a Lyft accident. While Lyft is required to maintain insurance policies on behalf of drivers, whether a policy covers your accident—and the amount of coverage available—is subject to the specific facts of the case. This gives insurance companies the ability to try to wiggle out of paying a victim’s claim. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, our experienced car accident lawyers have been helping injured rideshare drivers and passengers recover fair compensation after an accident. We skillfully negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and never hesitate to take a case to trial when the insurance company does not make a fair settlement offer.

Most Lyft drivers are experienced motorists who take their job seriously. However, driving for Lyft appeals to a lot of people because they can do it to make a few extra dollars in their free time. Additionally, Lyft is not particularly selective in who they allow to drive for the company. In fact, anyone who meets the following criteria can become a North Carolina Lyft driver:

• A valid driver’s license;
• At least 25 years old;
• Own a smartphone; and
• Pass a driver screening and criminal background check.

The driver screening sounds like it might weed out poor drivers. However, Lyft only disqualifies someone if:

• They have had four or more moving violations in the past three years;
• They have had one “major” moving violation within the past three years;
• They have a DUI conviction within the past seven years; or
• They have a serious vehicle crime conviction within the past seven years.

Thus, many questionable drivers will make it past the Lyft driver screening and be given the company’s permission to transport passengers. Given this fact, it’s no surprise that Lyft accidents are as common as they are.

Anyone injured in a Lyft accident can pursue a claim for financial compensation, including rideshare drivers, other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bikers, and motorcyclists. However, because Lyft drivers are independent contractors and not employees, injury victims typically cannot sue Lyft; they need to sue the at-fault driver.

If a Lyft driver is responsible for causing the collision, the driver’s rideshare insurance policy will provide coverage to any rideshare passengers in the driver’s vehicle for up to $1 million. However, when it comes to covering anyone else’s injuries, the insurance policy provides different limits depending on whether the driver was on an official trip. If so, the company provides the same $1,000,000 in coverage. However, if the driver is waiting for a ride request at the time of the accident, Lyft only provides $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident in coverage. While this sounds like a lot of money, after factoring in medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, these limits rarely fully compensate an accident victim. Moreover, if the accident occurred while the driver wasn’t accepting ride requests, the Lyft policy doesn’t provide any coverage, meaning anyone injured must file a claim with the driver’s individual insurance policy—if they have one.

If you or someone you love was recently hurt in a rideshare accident, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC. At our Charlotte law firm, we have extensive experience helping the victims of Lyft accidents recover meaningful compensation enabling them to move on with their lives after a traumatic accident. We recognize the challenges you face in the wake of a motor vehicle collision, and are immediately ready to assist you in any way we can. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte rideshare injury lawyer, give us a call at 704-405-2580. You can also reach one of our Concord injury lawyers at 704-918-4747. We take all personal injury and workers’ compensation cases on a contingency basis, meaning we will not bill you for our services unless we can connect you with compensation for what you’ve been through.