Erie Lyft Accident Lawyer

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Logging into the Lyft app to get a ride home has become a convenient and safer way for residents and visitors of Erie to get to and from their destinations. However, the increased use of rideshare programs like Lyft and Uber have also caused an increase in Lyft accidents. If you or a loved one were injured in a rideshare vehicle or involved in a collision with a rideshare driver, call the Erie Lyft accident lawyers of Munley Law.

Our rideshare accident attorneys can help you navigate the claims process when you are involved in a wreck with a Lyft driver.

Why Do You Need a Lyft Accident Attorney?

Like any personal injury claim, you never have to hire an attorney. However, going through the legal process alone can prevent you from getting the compensation you need for your injuries.

With a Lyft car accident lawyer, you will have the expertise of an Erie personal injury attorney to ensure you meet all filing requirements and deadlines for your case. Further, our dedicated legal team will walk you through the legal process by:

• Gathering evidence from the accident
• Establishing liability
• Calculating the value of your claim
• Handling negotiations with the insurance companies
• Representing you in court if needed

Any car accident is stressful, but when you add in the legal force of a large company like Lyft, it can feel like it's you against the world.

The Erie personal injury lawyers at Munley Law know the stress, and we'll take it off your shoulders so you can focus on physical recovery.

What Are the Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in Erie?

Despite rideshare services being touted as a safer alternative for transportation, independent contractors are at a much higher risk of collision than other road users. This is due to many factors, like being distracted by the passengers they are picking up and dropping off, utilizing an application for GPS and charting, and driving in areas they may otherwise be unfamiliar with.

Other common causes of Lyft accidents in Erie include:

• Speeding
• Driver fatigue
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Aggressive driving
• Poor road conditions

If you are involved in an accident with a Lyft driver or are a passenger in a Lyft during a collision, you have options for financial recovery.

What Compensation is Available Following a Lyft Accident in Erie, PA?

Following a Lyft car accident, you may have accumulated expenses for your losses and injuries in the wreck. With the help of an Erie Lyft accident lawyer, you may be able to recover compensation for the following losses:

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

How much compensation you are entitled to will ultimately depend on the severity of your injuries. If you have a question about the damages you are entitled to, call Munley Law. Our Erie personal injury lawyers are here to help you during this confusing time.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Lyft Accident in Erie?

Several parties may be held liable for your Lyft car accident. This includes the following entities:

Lyft Drivers

If a Lyft driver's negligence caused the accident, they could be liable for the wreck. If the driver were not actively completing rides for Lyft and were driving independently, it would change what insurance company is footing the bill.

Another Driver

Sometimes, an accident involving a Lyft driver was the fault of another road user. In that case, you, as a passenger, may have to hold that driver accountable.

A Third Party

If poor road conditions, a faulty part on a car, or another party is responsible for the situation that caused the accident to occur, you could also file a claim against them instead of your Lyft driver.

Can I Sue Lyft For My Accident With a Lyft Driver?

You can use Lyft for your accident with a Lyft driver. However, you must prove that Lyft was negligent in some way, which led to the accident. This may be because the driver has a history of being in accidents, and the company did not pull him as a driver. Or, you may file a claim with the company's insurance company for an accident their drivers caused–but at the end of the day, it won't go against the company; it will be the insurance they hold for independent contractors.

How is Compensation Recovered in a Lyft Accident Claim?

The status of the Lyft driver on the rideshare app will ultimately determine how compensation is recovered.

The Driver is Not on the App/Is Off Duty

If the driver is not logged into the Lyft app and is off duty when involved in an accident, the driver's insurance covers the cost of the accident.

The Driver is In The App and Awaiting a Ride

Suppose the driver is logged into the app and is awaiting a ride request. In that case, Lyft holds the following forms of third-party limited liability insurance coverage when the driver's auto coverage does not apply:

• $50,000/person for bodily injury
• $100,000/accident for bodily injury
• $25,000/accident for property damage

The Driver is on the App and En Route to Get a Rider or Give a Ride

If the driver is logged into the app and on the way to pick up a rider, the following insurance coverage options apply:

• At least $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability coverage
• First-party coverage such as uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments coverage (MedPay), or Occupational Accident coverage
• For drivers with comprehensive and collision coverage on their auto policy, Lyft holds contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the car's actual cash value.

Your Erie Lyft accident attorney will be able to review the application to determine what stage of a ride the driver was in to assess who is liable for your losses.

What Should I Do After a Lyft Car Accident?

The days and weeks following a Lyft accident can be complicated as you begin to navigate insurance company communications. However, what you do in those days after a Lyft accident will be critical to the success of your claim.

Get Medical Attention

After the accident, you must get medical attention, even if you think you didn't get hurt. Injuries sometimes take days to emerge, so follow up with your doctor if something doesn't feel right. Also, keep track of any medical treatment given, as this will be used to calculate the value of your claim.

Call 911

Be sure to call 911 and get the police at the scene. Once a reporting officer arrives, ensure a police report is taken, and you secure a copy, as it will be needed to prove negligence for a car accident claim.

Report the Accident to Lyft

Rideshare companies like Lyft want to ensure that their drivers are safe on the road, so you must report the accident to the company if you are in an accident with a Lyft driver. This is important if you seek compensation and legal action against Lyft for your losses.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You must also contact your insurance company to claim your losses and damages. Your insurance company may try to get you to admit you were partially at fault for the accident–but do not admit fault or guilt.

This will directly impact the compensation you recover, so do not state the insurance company until you've discussed your case with a lawyer.

Connect With Munley Law

The benefits of hiring an Erie car accident lawyer for your rideshare accident claim supersede any legal cost you may incur from their representation. Many rideshare accident victims think they can't afford legal representation, but we believe you can't afford to be without it.

Going against the insurance company or a large company like Lyft alone can be daunting. Still, with the help of a dedicated law firm, your claim will yield the results needed to cover your losses and set you up for financial and physical recovery.

Our Erie Lyft Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help

If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident with a Lyft driver, know that you have options for financial recovery. At Munley Law, we help victims of Erie rideshare accidents get the compensation they need for their injuries and losses.

For a no-obligation, free consultation, call the Erie Lyft accident lawyers of Munley Law. We work on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront costs to you, and you only pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict, so you are never out more than what you recover. And if we don't win, you don't pay.

Call today or connect with us online to learn how we can help you.