The popular Lyft rideshare service is second only to Uber across the United States. According to recent data, there is a notable share of car accidents involving Lyft rides. If you've experienced a Lyft accident in Flint, MI, we understand the challenges you're facing. At Christopher Trainor & Associates, we're here to offer support and guidance. As your Flint Lyft accident lawyer, our goal is to help you navigate this difficult time and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Though Lyft takes measures to keep their passengers safe, no rideshare service is completely free from auto accidents. Severe injuries requiring immediate medical attention, coupled with lost wages and hefty medical bills, can quickly turn your life upside after being injured in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle. To make matters worse, the insurance company might try to delay paying you what you are owed, or the Lyft driver's insurance coverage may fall short in compensating for your injuries. There are numerous complications that may arise in a Flint Lyft accident case, making them a bit tougher to navigate than a typical car accident. This is because there may be more than one insurance company involved, depending on the exact circumstances of how Lyft was involved at the time of the accident.
At Christopher Trainor & Associates, we understand the complexities of these cases and have plenty of experience dealing with them. That's why we offer a free consultation with a Flint accident lawyer. You can discuss the details of your case and find out what your best options are for moving forward.
Rideshare services such as Lyft are sometimes viewed as being a safer alternative to everyone driving their own vehicle, since it should lead to fewer vehicles overall on the road, but the opposite has happened. Rideshare services such as Lyft and Uber have actually contributed to an increase in vehicles on the road, as well as an increase in car accidents. They increase road congestion a significant amount. It has been reported that approximately 70% of rideshare rides and 90% of rideshare accidents are in metropolitan areas such as Flint, which is especially popular for Lyft drivers.
Many Uber and Lyft drivers hold full time jobs in addition to being drivers for rideshare apps, so they are likely to be tired and stressed when driving. Since the rollout of rideshare services between 2001 and 2016, they could have contributed to a 3% increase in annual car accident deaths. There are an estimated 1,000 deaths from rideshare accidents each day. From Uber and Lyft alone, they contribute a total of 100 deaths a day.
Unfortunately, like in other motor vehicle accidents, many different causes play a role in the total number of crashes per year. In 2021, approximately 71, 246 people sustained injuries in Michigan motor vehicle crashes. Lyft’s safety report from 2017 to 2019 showed 105 fatalities. Compared to Uber, Uber reported a lower fatality rate per 100 million miles traveled, but Lyft had fewer yearly fatality rates.
The top causes of rideshare accidents, including Lyft accidents, are as follows:
Lyft accident victims may be drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Auto accidents involving Lyft commonly occur at intersections, in parking lots, or even in neighborhoods near the car accident victim’s home.
At intersections, the most common type of motor vehicle collision is the sideswipe, also known as a T-bone collision. The rollover, the backing up, and the deadliest collision, the head-on may also occur. Michigan law states that the rear vehicle is the at fault party in a rear-end car wreck, but in any other type of automobile accident, victims may need assistance determining the at fault party.
Lyft accident injuries have much in common with car accidents in general. There are certain types of injuries we see over and over in car accident cases. Here are some of the most common:
Any injured party should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Make sure to keep track of all medical records, because if you need to file a claim for your medical bills, you will need to show that your injuries were sustained in connection with the rideshare accident.
If you need help seeking sufficient finances to cover your medical care, payment for lost wages and other damages, or gathering relevant documentation for your Lyft accident claim in Flint MI, a personal injury lawyer from our law firm can help.
Be prepared with the knowledge of the steps you should take after a Flint Lyft accident and build a strong car accident case by making sure to do the following:
In a Flint Lyft accident, the main element that determines the insurance company you must seek compensation from is whether the Lyft driver was active on the Lyft app at the time the car accident occurred. Because Michigan is a no-fault state, an injured person in a motor vehicle accident automatically receives no fault benefits, also known as PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance from their own insurance company, if available. They do not need to prove negligence of the Lyft driver or any other party. If the Lyft driver was active, victims may need to file their car accident claim with the driver’s own commercial insurance or personal insurance (if any) along with their own, because the Lyft insurance comes second to other insurance policies, such as:
The minimum insurance coverage for any Uber or Lyft driver includes PIP medical coverage for lost wages, medical expenses, medical bills, and certain funeral expenses. It also includes $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident causing bodily injury and $25,000 per accident causing property damage.
The Lyft driver’s status at the time of the accident will determine which insurance carrier must apply coverage. After the Lyft driver has accepted a ride request, the insurance coverage increases to include up to $1,000,000 per third-party liability accident and uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury. It applies whether the driver is en route to pick up passengers or is in the process of transporting passengers.
Whether or not you can sue for compensation depends on several factors, such as who was at fault for the accident and the extent of your injuries. In Michigan, Lyft drivers are required to carry certain insurance coverage, but sometimes this coverage may not be enough to fully compensate you for your injuries and other losses. In such cases, you may need to pursue legal action to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to the accident.
It's important to understand that navigating the legal process can be complex, especially when dealing with rideshare accidents. That's why it's advisable to seek guidance from an experienced attorney who specializes in handling Lyft accident cases in Flint, Michigan. A knowledgeable lawyer can review the details of your case, explain your legal rights and options, and help you determine the best course of action to pursue compensation.
The process can take anywhere from a few months to more than a year, depending on the unique factors in your case. An attorney can give you a better idea of how long it might take, but there is no way to know for sure. Most of the time these cakes tend to settle without going to court, which won’t take as long as if you went through the time it takes to hold a trial.
Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Michigan is three years, though sometimes there are exceptions, so its best not to wait. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to find out how much time you have to get your case filed.
You only get one chance to successfully file your Flint Lyft accident claim and personal injury or wrongful death claim. Even if you file your claim on time, insurance adjusters will do everything to deny you maximum compensation. Speak with one of the experienced Michigan car accident lawyers from Christopher Trainor & Associates today for a free consultation by calling (248) 886-8650.
