Rideshare crashes can and do happen in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Although scheduling a ride with Lyft may be a safe option for getting from point A to point B, it’s important to be prepared in the event of a crash. You may be eligible for compensation via the rideshare company or another such party if you’re hurt in a Lancaster Lyft accident resulting from negligence.
Learn more by discussing your case with attorney with experience handling Lyft accident cases. At Munley Law, an accident attorney can review your case, discuss legal options, and provide representation to fight for the compensation that’s recoverable. Learn more about how we can help after a Lyft accident in Lancaster by contacting us today for a free consultation.
Understanding Lyft Accidents in Lancaster, PA
Statistics on Lyft and rideshare accidents in Pennsylvania are currently unavailable. Although these services have existed for over a decade now, state government agencies haven’t yet begun tracking the degree to which they contribute to accidents in the Commonwealth.
However, national data on rideshare car accidents can provide insights. For example, a study recently published in the Journal of Safety Research revealed that one in three rideshare drivers report being involved in a car accident at some point while driving for these services. Other research from the University of Chicago and Rice University indicates that rideshare services may contribute to a two to three percent increase in traffic fatalities on America’s roads since 2011.
Uber and Lyft accidents have many potential causes. The following are among the more common:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while impaired
- General reckless or aggressive driving
- Hazardous road conditions
- Vehicle defects
Again, those are just a few common examples. They don’t represent all the potential causes of car accidents involving rideshare services.
Regardless, if you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, you could seek compensation for medical bills and related losses by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit. It’s important to understand that seeking compensation after a rideshare accident can be more difficult than recovering compensation after a typical auto accident.
For example, it may be unclear whose insurance coverage applies in your particular situation. A rideshare accident attorney can help by reviewing your case and answering questions about liability.
Involved in a Lyft accident? Contact Munley Law for a free case evaluation.
Liability in Lancaster Lyft Accident Cases
Who is liable in a car accident case involving a Lyft vehicle? That depends on several factors. In Pennsylvania, a driver’s insurance may usually cover passengers. In other words, if you’re hurt in an accident in Lancaster as the passenger of a vehicle, assuming the driver is liable, their insurance is usually responsible for providing compensation.
That’s not necessarily the case when the driver is a Lyft driver. Their insurance might not apply to commercial activities. As such, if you were to attempt to recover compensation by filing a claim with the driver’s liability insurance, the insurance company might respond by denying the claim and stating coverage doesn’t apply in this situation.
Fortunately, Lyft has its own liability coverage. A $1 million liability policy is in effect when a Lyft rideshare driver has the app on and is actively transporting passengers during a Lyft trip. Limited coverage applies when a rideshare driver for Lyft has the app on but hasn’t accepted a ride yet.
That doesn’t mean Lyft’s insurance is always responsible for providing compensation, even when a driver had the app on. The driver’s status is just one factor affecting compensation in these types of cases. If someone else’s negligent driving caused you to sustain a serious injury, another driver’s insurance may be the main source of compensation. It’s even possible vehicle manufacturers or designers can be held liable if an accident results from a defect.
It’s often necessary to prove negligence in a personal injury case. A legal team can assist with this task by investigating the accident, identifying the liable parties, and gathering the evidence you need to strengthen your injury claim.
Let Munley Law hold those responsible for your injuries; schedule a consultation today.
Compensation for Lyft Accident Victims
Lawyers can also help by fighting for fair compensation. That means accounting for all your damages during negotiations. Common examples of losses for which compensation may be available after a rideshare accident include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future expenses, like the cost of future medical care and lost earning capacity
- Related expenses, like the cost of therapy if an accident leaves you with mental or emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
Many factors can affect how much compensation may be available in your case. They include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether you will need future care
- Whether you will be able to return to work
- Whether there are any intangible struggles, like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life
- Insurance coverage
Don’t expect the insurance company or liable party to guide you through this legal process, explaining all the compensation that you may recover. To obtain compensation, you need to have representation from an accident attorney who can prioritize your rights, not those of rideshare companies. Maximize your compensation with Munley Law’s experienced Lyft accident attorneys.
Pennsylvania Laws Affecting Lyft Accident Claims
Don’t wait to take legal action now. The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania requires you to file a car accident lawsuit within two years of being injured. Accident victims can quickly lose the right to compensation when they miss critical deadlines.
Pennsylvania also has a comparative negligence law that may affect your case. According to the law, accident victims whose own negligence contributed to their injuries can still recover compensation. They may do so if they are less than 51% to blame for the accident. The amount of compensation they may recover will be reduced by the proportion of blame that can be assigned to them.
Pennsylvania legislators aim to enhance rideshare safety with proposed regulations for Uber and Lyft. The new bills would require drivers to display more visible identification markers in their vehicles, making it easier for passengers to verify their legitimate driver. While these legal requirements aim to protect passengers, rideshare accidents can still be complex. Munley Law has experience helping clients understand their rights under Pennsylvania’s rideshare regulations.
Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident
When car accidents happen (whether they involve Lyft or not), taking the right steps at the accident scene can help someone stay safe while also preserving valuable evidence. Immediately after a car crash, you should:
- Check for injuries requiring urgent treatment.
- If you’re not safe already, move to a safe spot away from traffic.
- Call 911 to report the accident.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with all other drivers involved in the accident.
- Don’t admit fault.
- Take pictures of the accident scene to gather evidence (and be sure to photograph signs of bodily injuries and property damage when doing so).
- Seek medical attention, even if you’re under the impression that your injuries are relatively minor, as car accident injuries aren’t always immediately noticeable (and be sure to save medical records from all your appointments).
- Report the accident to Lyft, which you can do via the app’s safety feature.
A skilled lawyer can assist you from this point. In the meantime, continue pursuing medical attention according to a doctor’s orders.
Protect your rights after a Lyft accident. Contact Munley Law.
How Munley Law Handles Lyft Accident Cases
At Munley Law, we investigate an Uber or Lyft accident by:
- Reviewing any evidence that you may have gathered already, such as photos and videos from the accident scene
- Reviewing the applicable insurance policies
- Reviewing the accident report
- Interviewing witnesses
- If necessary, work with accident reconstruction experts who can demonstrate how Lyft accidents happen
- Accounting for your losses and filing a claim or lawsuit to demand maximum compensation
- Negotiating with Lyft’s insurance providers while you focus on your recovery
Choose experienced representation. Let Munley Law fight for your rights in your Lyft accident case.
Lyft Passenger Rights and Protections
Lyft has specific policies designed to ensure the safety of passengers, including:
- A passenger must be at least 18 to create a Lyft account.
- Lyft has a strict no-weapons policy.
- Lyft has developed a Community Safety Education program in partnership with RAINN.
- Lyft drivers can register a dashcam.
- Lyft has a no-smoking policy.
If you believe Lyft or its driver violated any of the company’s safety policies when your accident occurred, it could have implications for your case. Ensure your rights as a Lyft passenger are protected. Consult with Munley Law today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lyft Accidents in Lancaster
If you still have questions, the following information may address them:
What if the Lyft driver was at fault?
If the Lyft driver was at fault, Lyft’s own insurance coverage may still apply. The driver’s liability coverage for bodily injury may apply if they weren’t actively driving for Lyft when the accident occurred.
How long do Lyft accident cases typically take?
How long a Lyft accident case takes depends on several factors. For a simple accident involving only two vehicles, it’s sometimes possible to resolve a case within two to three months.It could take over a year for more complex cases to reach a fair settlement.
Can I sue Lyft directly for my injuries?
You can sue Lyft for your injuries if going to court proves to be the only viable option for recovering compensation. However, the goal of our legal team is usually to first attempt to negotiate a settlement out of court.
What’s most important to understand is that you don’t have to pursue full and fair compensation on your own now. After a Lyft accident, you should focus on getting the care you need. Our attorneys can handle your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Call the Lancaster Lyft Accident Lawyers at Munley Law
After a Lyft accident in Lancaster, skilled legal guidance can make all the difference in protecting your rights and securing fair compensation. At Munley Law, our attorneys understand Pennsylvania’s rideshare regulations and have a proven track record of helping accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. With 65 years of experience handling personal injury cases, we know what it takes to get results. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take action. Contact the Lancaster personal injury lawyers at Munley Law today for a free consultation.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
606 Court St.
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 831-4234
