Can A Passenger Sue After a Lyft Accident?

• While ridesharing services offer convenience, they come with inherent risks. Entrusting your safety to a stranger is a common practice. In Florida, Lyft drivers are independent contractors who switch to commercial status when passengers are onboard. Unfortunately, post-Lyft accidents often lead to passenger injury claims disputes. Nonetheless, educating yourself on Lyft’s insurance policies and post-accident procedures can help build a robust personal injury claim. Lyft mandates driver insurance, supplemented by a $1 million policy.

  Understanding Lyft’s insurance coverages and their timing during your ride is vital. Four insurance types may apply during your journey: Contingent liability, Primary Automotive Liability, Collision, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage. For instance, Contingent liability covers driver mode without a ride request. It’s crucial to comprehend these nuances when dealing with Lyft-related accidents.

Lyft accident settlement amounts

Below is an infographic that breaks all of that information down:

You may be wondering, but when do these coverages apply?

1. During the time the Lyft Driver app is on and available to accept a request (also known as “driver mode”), the contingent liability policy is in effect.
2. The other three coverages are in effect when a driver accepts a ride request and end when the ride is complete.
3. If your driver is renting a car through Lyft’s express drive program, one of Lyft’s renter’s insurance partners’ coverage will apply.
4. Express Drive insurance coverage depends on whether the driver is on driver mode, waiting for a ride request, or has a ride in progress when the accident occurs.
5. It is best practice to make a bodily injury liability claim against both Lyft’s insurance provider
6. (Click here to see Lyft’s Certificate of Insurance) and the Lyft driver’s personal policy at the same time.
7. Tip: This can help speed up settlement of your claim and can avoid common tactics like Lyft’s insurer
8. claiming that your claim needs to be worth the limits of the Lyft driver’s claim before they payout on your claim.

Insurance payouts may not fully cover your medical expenses and damages, leaving you with financial challenges.

Lyft accident victims often incur substantial medical costs and may experience work-related setbacks.
While auto insurance typically covers medical expenses and lost wages, they may impose limits and exclude pain and suffering compensation. Consequently, pursuing a court case can provide comprehensive coverage.
However, Florida’s car insurance law mandates severe injuries costing over $10,000 or “permanent” damage for personal injury claims in court. In other words, minor injuries may not qualify for court proceedings.
Understanding these criteria is crucial when determining whether your case can go to court or not. In conclusion, it’s vital to consider these factors.

Lyft accident B

Insurance Coverage Details

The policy has a $50,000 maximum limit per person, a $100,000 maximum limit per accident, and a $25,000 maximum limit for property damage.
There is no deductible under this policy.
“It is important to point out that the company may modify this coverage to comply with specific city or state insurance requirements.”

Lyft’s Primary Liability Insurance: I was a passenger in a lyft accident

“Lyft’s primary liability insurance covers drivers from ride acceptance to completion, with a $1 million limit.”
For drivers who already carry commercial insurance (or personal coverage providing specific coverage for ridesharing), Lyft’s policy will be excess coverage.

In the event of an accident (once you have accepted a ride) with an uninsured driver (UM) or underinsured (UIM)

Excess Coverage for Insured Drivers

“If Lyft is ultimately at fault for causing bodily injury to you or your loved one, Lyft’s UM/UIM coverage will apply (coverage limits vary by state).”There is no deductible on this coverage.

On September 21, 2018, Lyft lowered its uninsured to $250,000 per accident in Florida.

Another important consideration is that although Lyft keeps a cut of the money drivers earns on rides, the drivers are not “employees” of Lyft.
That means that Florida’s vicarious liability rules would not allow you to extend a lawsuit to include Lyft as a responsible party in your lawsuit.
However, this does not mean you can’t get compensation for an accident involving an Uber or Lyft.

Filing a Lawsuit for Personal Injury

Personal injury law in Florida allows you to formally seek compensation for your injuries by filing a lawsuit against whoever caused the accident that led to your injuries. Lyft drivers causing car accidents are no exception. To prevail on your claim, you will need to prove that the Lyft driver owed you a duty of care to keep you safe or out of harm’s way,
the Lyft driver failed to uphold this duty, that failure was the cause of your injuries and the extent of your injuries. These elements are similar in all other car accident lawsuits, as well as in all other personal injury cases.

Compensation Through PIP

If your lawyer can establish that a Lyft driver’s negligence was responsible for causing your injury,
you may receive compensation through Florida’s personal injury protection (PIP).
However, there is a limit as to how much you can recover through this type of insurance coverage.
In Florida, PIP benefits pay for 80% of your initial medical treatment,
but the maximum amount of these payments is limited to $10,000. Unfortunately,
if you are not diagnosed with an emergency medical condition, PIP benefits are limited to only $2,500.
In Florida, your health insurance coverage should pay medical expenses that PIP and Medpay do not pay.
In Florida, health insurance is secondary to PIP and Medpay.
This means that PIP needs to be billed first.

After PIP is billed, your health insurance may pay for any remaining balances, and/or you will get contractual discounts.

Seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney in Florida who handles claims with
rideshare companies as they can help guide you through the claims process.
Each coverage can greatly differ depending on how the claim is filed and when the claim is filed.
Contact the Miami Lyft accident lawyers at Suarez & Montero to find out how we can help.
We’re prepared to help you fight for the money you need and deserve.
Call to schedule a free consultation today.We are available 24/7 to take your call.