Ride sharing is a popular way to get around. It’s easy to let another person drive you to the airport or take you home after you’ve been drinking. If the ride doesn’t go as planned and you’re injured by a Lyft driver, you should know what to do to file an injury claim.
Get Information From All Parties
If you’re in an accident while you’re ride sharing with a Lyft driver, you need to get contact information for all the drivers and parties involved. Use your phone’s camera to take pictures of driver’s licenses and insurance information. Get pictures of the scene and license plate information. Ultimately, the driver at-fault will be responsible for the damages but determining fault can be complex.
Seek Medical Treatment
After an accident, it’s common to have adrenaline pumping, which can make it difficult to feel pain. You could be in shock, which can mask pain, too. Don’t refuse medical treatment on site. If you’re asked if you are injured, reply that you are unsure. Have a healthcare professional diagnose and document any injuries.
What Is the Situation?
If you are a passenger in a Lyft car, you’ll probably have to start by filing a claim with the Lyft driver’s personal or business insurance. If your claim is denied, Lyft has liability insurance and you can file a claim with Lyft. If a Lyft driver hits your car, this insurance may also be available to you.
If the Lyft driver doesn’t have a passenger but was in drive mode for Lyft, you will most likely need to file a claim against the driver’s insurance first. If that coverage is denied, then you can file a claim with Lyft against its liability coverage.
If the Lyft driver doesn’t have a passenger and is off-duty, then you’ll have to follow-up with the driver’s personal insurance. In that case, it’s unlikely Lyft’s liability insurance will have any responsibility, since the driver was not working at the time.
Don’t Wait to File a Claim
You should file a claim as soon as possible after the accident. Report it to Lyft through the app. You may also want to talk to a car accident lawyer about your rights and how to find the best possible solution. The insurance companies may not want to take responsibility for the accident and fight over who is at fault and should pay. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a Lyft driver, whether you were a passenger, innocent bystander or other driver, you may want to contact an MVA accident lawyer Tampa, such as from Jeff Murphy Law.