Were you hurt in an Ann Arbor Lyft accident? Legal options may be available to help you recover compensation for your medical bills and more. Call Christopher Trainor & Associates to discuss your rights by scheduling a free consultation.
Although the number of drunk driving accidents on our roadways has decreased nationally since Uber and Lyft rideshare companies started offering services, the total number of accidents involving rideshare vehicles has increased. If you find yourself involved in a Lyft accident in the Ann Arbor area, it is vital to understand your rights and responsibilities. Our Ann Arbor rideshare accident lawyer can help.
What to Do After a Lyft Accident
If you were injured in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, you need to act quickly to ensure your rights are protected. Some of the steps you should take after your crash include:
- Seek medical attention
- Gather evidence from the crash scene, if possible
- Obtain contact and insurance coverage information from everyone involved
- Call the police and request medical assistance
- Undergo a medical evaluation
Finally, it is imperative to seek guidance from a team of skilled Lyft accident lawyers. An attorney can help you identify the cause of the crash and protect your rights.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Lyft accidents often occur as a result of some type of negligence. We continue to see various actions contribute to these incidents, including:
- Speeding: It is common for Lyft drivers to exceed speed limits in an effort to meet tight schedules or deadlines, increasing the risk of an accident.
- Inexperience: A Lyft driver's lack of experience could make it difficult for them to make informed decisions and avoid dangerous conditions.
- Reckless Driver Actions: Drivers may engage in reckless behavior when driving Lyft vehicles, such as tailgating or other aggressive driver actions, which put themselves and others in danger.
- Mechanical Failures: When vehicle maintenance problems go unattended, mechanical failures can cause accidents.
- Inclement Weather: Various inclement weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, and fog, can increase the chances of an Uber or Lyft driver being involved in an accident.
- Fatigue: During long hours on the road, Lyft drivers may become fatigued. Being fatigued increases their risk of falling asleep and causing accidents.
- Distractions: Lyft drivers are often distracted while driving by looking at their phones or GPS devices or interacting with passengers. A moment of inattention can lead to a severe rideshare accident.
If you were hurt in a Lyft accident, you may have legal options available. However, a thorough investigation is needed to determine liability. Call Christopher Trainor & Associates today to schedule a free consultation to see how we can help.
Determining Liability in a Lyft Accident
A Lyft car accident lawyer in Michigan plays a crucial role in investigating and determining liability after a rideshare accident. During the investigation process, you can expect that your Lyft accident lawyers will:
- Gather Evidence: Your rideshare accident attorney will collect all available evidence related to the accident. This can include police reports, evidence from the crash site, and other relevant documents and evidence.
- Review Insurance Policies: They will review the insurance policies of all parties involved, including Lyft's commercial insurance policy, the Lyft driver's personal auto insurance, and any other relevant insurance and liability coverage information.
- Interview Witnesses: Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, your Lyft accident attorneys may interview witnesses to the auto accident to gather additional information and perspectives on what happened.
- Analyze Lyft Driver Behavior: An experienced attorney will assess the actions of the Lyft driver leading up to the accident. Your accident lawyer will determine whether they were following traffic laws or engaging in some type of reckless action that ultimately led to the accident.
- Evaluate Road Conditions: Your rideshare accident attorney will consider the condition of the road and any factors, such as weather or road construction, that may have contributed to the rideshare accident.
- Consult Experts: Your Lyft accident attorney may consult with accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances surrounding the accident and the extent of injuries.
- Assess Comparative Negligence: Your injury lawyer will evaluate whether any other parties, such as other drivers or pedestrians, share fault for the accident and how comparative negligence laws in Michigan may impact liability.
- Negotiate with the Auto Insurance Company: Finally, your lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to seek fair compensation for the damages and losses you face.
After determining all the parties and factors that contributed to the accident, your Ann Arbor Lyft accident attorney will take the appropriate actions to protect your rights.
The Role of Insurance Coverage after an Uber or Lyft Accident
When it comes to crashes involving rideshare vehicles, accident victims have the right to recover compensation for their resulting damages, such as lost wages, medical bills, and more. Given the fact that Michigan law specifies that auto accidents are typically covered under no-fault insurance benefits, an injured party must prove liability to recover compensation. Accident victims who are severely harmed or lose loved ones in accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers often suffer damages that far exceed their no-fault benefits. As a result, they often have to pursue compensation by filing personal injury lawsuits against the insurance company.
In Michigan, the role of the rideshare company, such as Uber or Lyft, in covering damages after a car crash can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the accident:
- Insurance Coverage: Rideshare companies typically provide insurance coverage of up to $1 million for their drivers while they are actively engaged in providing ridesharing services. This coverage may include liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.
- Primary Liability Coverage: When Uber and Lyft drivers are actively transporting a passenger or on the way to pick up a passenger, the rideshare company's insurance policy typically serves as the primary coverage for any damages resulting from the accident.
- Contingent Coverage: If the Uber or Lyft driver is actively logged into the mobile rideshare application but has not yet accepted a ride, the rideshare company may provide contingent liability coverage, which supplements the driver's personal auto insurance coverage.
- Driver's Personal Insurance: When the rideshare driver is not actively engaged in providing rideshare services, such as when the mobile rideshare application is off, their personal auto insurance policy is primarily responsible for covering damages resulting from an accident.
- Claims Process: In the event of a car accident involving a rideshare service, the injured parties may file a claim with the rideshare company's insurance provider to seek compensation for their damages. The rideshare company typically facilitates the claims process and works with insurance adjusters to assess liability and determine the appropriate compensation.
It is important to know that the insurance companies that can be liable can vary between rideshare accident cases. For this reason, it is vital to seek representation from a dedicated Michigan personal injury law firm immediately.
Statute of Limitations for Lyft Accident Lawsuits
In Michigan, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including those arising from Lyft accidents, is typically three years from the date of the accident. Failing to file a lawsuit within the specified time may result in the inability to protect your rights and seek compensation for injuries and damages. Therefore, victims must take timely legal action and consult with an attorney as soon as possible after a Lyft accident. To ensure you have the best chance of getting justice after being harmed, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney immediately. This will give your rideshare accident lawyer a chance to get started on gathering strong evidence.
Available Types of Compensation in a Lyft Injury Accident
After a rideshare accident in Michigan, you have the right to obtain compensation for some of the losses and damages you face. Some common damages victims recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your loved one has died as a result of a rideshare accident, you may be able to recover wrongful death damages, such as compensation for funeral costs, burial expenses, and more from the insurance company.
Call Our Michigan Car Accident Lawyers Today
We often see motor vehicle accidents that result from negligent Uber and Lyft drivers. If you are harmed as a result of an accident, you need to act quickly to protect your legal rights. Our team at Christopher Trainor & Associates is here to help. With decades of experience protecting victims and bereaved family members, you can depend on our Michigan law firm to provide you with trusted and skilled legal representation at every step. We will do everything possible to ensure those who are responsible for your pain and suffering are held accountable.
Do not hesitate to reach out to our Michigan personal injury law firm if you have been harmed in an Uber or Lyft accident. You deserve justice, and our team is here to help. Call our accident lawyers at (248) 886-8650 now to schedule a free case evaluation.
