If you or a loved one has been injured in a Lyft accident in Lackawanna County, our Scranton Lyft accident attorneys are here to help. At Munley Law, we have extensive experience handling Lyft accident cases and securing justice and compensation for injury victims. We are also experts in Pennsylvania law, having practiced in the state for nearly seven decades.
Our attorneys’ work representing injured rideshare accident victims and other personal injury cases has won us recognition from legal leaders such as the Summit Council, the Litigation Counsel of America, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. We have four lawyers certified in Civil Trial Law and Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, as well as several experts certified to handle motor vehicle accident cases. Our award-winning partners are ranked as some of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and we have over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases.
Don’t hesitate to contact our Scranton personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation and to learn how we can protect your interests after a Lyft accident.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Are the Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in Scranton, PA?
Like with all car accidents, Lyft accidents can be caused by many factors. Often, it’s a combination of factors that leads to a collision. But across the board, some common causes usually contribute to an accident involving a Lyft vehicle.
A recent study on rideshare driver accident cases in the US found that a third (33%) of all drivers surveyed reported having been involved in a crash while on the job. The risk of accidents was higher in older drivers, those who took ten or more trips per day, and those who regularly drove fatigued or along unfamiliar roads. These are some of the other leading contributors to these accidents:
- Distracted driving. Distracted driving is essentially anything that removes a driver’s eyes or mental focus from the road, as well as anything that removes their hands from the wheel. This could include texting, eating, or even conversing with a passenger. This is a particular risk for Lyft drivers, as so much of their work involves having constant eyes on the Lyft app. Constantly glancing down at the app to get directions or find a drop-off point, while seeming harmless, can be enough to cause an accident. Distracted driving was the third-most dangerous risk factor in 2024, according to the Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics Report, causing 9,687 accidents and claiming the lives of 43 people involved.
- Aggressive driving. An Uber or Lyft driver relies heavily on the tips they receive from passengers and the star ratings they provide. If a driver gets a passenger to their destination quickly, they stand a better chance of receiving a good tip and a good review. The downside is that it can lead to aggressive driving, as an Uber or Lyft driver will do everything in their power to move through traffic quickly to get that tip and that 5-star review. It can also lead to speeding, which caused 23,427 crashes and, unfortunately, claimed the lives of 263 Pennsylvanians in 2024 alone.
- Driving under the influence. Whether it’s the Lyft driver themselves who is under the influence or another driver on the road that collides with your Lyft, driving drunk exponentially increases the risk of an accident. In fact, in 2018, nearly half of the fatal accidents that occurred in Scranton involved a drunk driver.
- Driving while fatigued. In Scranton, Lyft drivers may drive for 12 consecutive hours. After this, they must take a 6-hour break before returning to work. 12 hours straight of driving is quite a lot, and there’s every chance your driver may be exhausted at the end of this shift. Even after a 6-hour break, a driver may still be fatigued, significantly increasing the risk of an accident. Drowsy drivers were involved in 2,591 local accidents in 2024, which led to 15 preventable fatalities.
- Poor vehicle maintenance or vehicle failure. Lyft requires drivers to maintain their cars to particular safety standards, but the company does not appear to be highly hands-on about ensuring these requirements are met. An unsafe or poorly maintained vehicle can most certainly cause an accident. What’s more, vehicle failure can occur even in well-tended cars, and if a defective part is to blame, a product liability claim in Scranton may be appropriate; engine failure and brake failure can occur out of nowhere and cause a severe accident. To illustrate this point, there were 775 wheel and tire-related accidents in Pennsylvania in 2024, as well as 641 crashes caused by brake failure and malfunctions.
- Other drivers, pedestrians, and more. Of course, not all accidents involving a Lyft are caused directly by the driver. The accident may be caused by a pedestrian, another driver, or a cyclist.
Looking at Lyft accident statistics specifically, the company’s 2024 Safety Transparency Report recorded 111 motor vehicle fatalities between 2020 and 2022, with 2022’s 50 reported deaths taking place in just 0.000009% of all completed Lyft trips in the United States. Still, these rates equated to a 14% increase in deaths over those reported between 2017 and 2019, showing that accidents can and do happen during Lyft rideshares in Scranton and nationwide.
What Should You Do After a Scranton Lyft Accident?
What you do following a Lyft accident in Scranton, PA, is essential to your case. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- It’s always extremely important to call the police to the scene of a car accident as soon as possible. In some cases, another party at the scene may attempt to dissuade you from placing this call; for example, if your Lyft driver caused the accident, they may try to stop you from calling the police for fear of experiencing repercussions. But having the police at the scene ensures there will be a detailed report of the accident, which will be crucial as you try to seek payment through insurance down the line.
- Document the scene: You may see the police documenting the scene of the collision once they arrive, but this should not stop you from documenting the scene yourself as well. This can include taking photographs of the scene, including the damage done to the vehicles, any surrounding property damage, and any visible injuries you may have. If there were any additional witnesses to the accident, such as other drivers or pedestrians, you can also ask them for details about what they saw, as well as their contact information, should you need their account later on. All of this helps to build a solid case showing that you deserve compensation for your experience.
- Seek medical care: It’s important to seek medical care as soon as you can. Of course, if you have an injury that’s life-threatening or needs immediate care, you should call 911 or head to the hospital before anything else — your health and safety are always paramount. Remember to examine yourself for any cuts or other injuries that the adrenaline of the accident may mask. Additionally, keep an eye out for any symptoms that appear in the ensuing hours and days. Sometimes things like whiplash or even concussions are not noticeable until shortly after the initial incident — a delayed symptom often tied to traumatic brain injuries in Scranton car crashes.
- Report the accident to Lyft: You should report your accident to Lyft as soon as possible after it happens. If you wait too long, Lyft could potentially use this as a reason to refuse payment. Get the process started by letting them know what happened immediately.
- Hire a Lyft accident attorney: Working with a Lyft accident attorney in Scranton greatly increases your chances of receiving the compensation you so deserve. Even if you’re simply attempting to navigate the process of getting compensated through Lyft’s insurance policy, this can be an unduly overwhelming and complex system. Without a lawyer advocating for you, it’s very easy to find yourself agreeing to something that’s less than fair. At Munley Law, our Scranton car accident lawyers have decades of experience fighting on behalf of our clients and have successfully tackled many Lyft accident cases in the past decade. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for a free initial consultation.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
How Is Liability Proven in a Scranton Lyft Accident?
Paying your bills after a Lyft accident can be tricky to navigate. Lyft does have a policy in place for its passengers; however, as with most accident cases, the amount you receive is generally dictated by the severity of your injuries and whether your injuries keep you from working. This means that, in order to avoid making a larger payment, Lyft’s legal team may try to argue that your injuries are less severe than they truly are. They may also even twist your words, as insurance adjusters often do, in order to get you to agree to a lower settlement. For example, a Lyft representative may call to discuss your case and ask how you are; simply saying “I’m doing well” could be enough for them to argue that you’re no longer in pain and your injuries are not that severe.
For all of these reasons, you need the communication between yourself and Lyft to be mediated by an attorney. This ensures that your words are not twisted, and you’re not pressured into accepting an unfair settlement. Your Lyft accident lawyer will work hard to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation, fairly repaying you for the physical, emotional, and mental suffering you’ve experienced.
What Are the Main Issues with Lyft’s Policies and Coverage?
Lyft, like other major rideshare companies like Uber, classifies its drivers as “independent contractors” rather than full-time employees. This protects the company from being held liable when an accident occurs. This, of course, can create issues when Lyft is in fact responsible for an issue. For instance, imagine an accident occurring because Lyft hired a driver without giving them a proper background check. Lyft would likely argue that anything the driver does is out of their hands as a company because this driver is not a full-time employee. This can make it extremely difficult to file a suit against Lyft, even when it’s clear they have exhibited negligence.
Additionally, while Lyft does have its million-dollar liability policy during active rides, there are still some gaps. If an accident occurs during the time when the driver has turned on the app but has not yet accepted a ride, coverage is more limited. During this period, Lyft does not offer coverage to drivers if they experience an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Because of the complexity of these issues, amongst others, working with a Scranton Lyft accident attorney is always to your benefit.
Why Choose Our Scranton Lyft Accident Lawyer?
If you or a loved one was involved in a Lyft accident in Scranton, you’re probably overwhelmed and exhausted. But you don’t have to be: with Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, you can focus on rest and recovery while we handle the rest. Particularly with the complex and oft-changing legalities around rideshare accidents, you’ll want the support of our experienced Scranton Lyft accident lawyers.
Our law firm is dedicated to bringing you top-of-the-line legal services and ensuring you receive the justice you are owed. Having a Scranton rideshare accident attorney on your side will help ensure you receive the maximum compensation and are not lowballed by a powerful corporation. Our team of excellent, highly experienced lawyers and dozens of legal support staff will work tirelessly for you, and we do not get paid unless you win.
With extensive experience in personal injury law and motor vehicle trial litigation, the lawyers at Munley Law are well-versed in the specifics of Lyft insurance policies and accident claim processes. Our lawyers’ work in these fields has earned us recognition from trusted legal directories such as the International Society of Barristers, the American Association for Justice, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for our significant settlements won in courts of law.
Marion Munley’s status as Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation and J. Christopher Munley’s position on the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers list give our team specific expertise in road and rideshare accident cases. Additionally, all five partners have secured AV Preeminent Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, and Daniel Munley and Caroline Munley have been awarded the directory’s Platinum and Silver Client Champion Awards for their attentive, compassionate service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lyft Accidents in Scranton, PA
How Many Fatal Lyft Accidents Happen in Scranton Each Year?
While the latest Lyft Safety Transparency Report only focuses on national statistics, the document noted that there were 111 fatal Lyft crashes between 2020 and 2022. This represents a rate of 1.02 accidents per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, which is lower than the 1.33 accident rate published by the NHTSA during the period.
What Are The Leading Causes of Lyft Accidents in Scranton and Pennsylvania?
Some of the common causes of Lyft accidents in Scranton and across Pennsylvania include distracted driving, aggressive driving, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driver fatigue from long shifts. Poor vehicle maintenance and mechanical failures, such as brake and tire issues, can also increase the risk of these crashes. In some cases, accidents also involve other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists rather than the Lyft driver alone.
Why Are Lyft Accident Cases So Complex?
Lyft accident cases are complicated to resolve because Lyft’s drivers are classified as independent contractors instead of employees, which often allows Lyft avoid liability for accidents. Full insurance coverage may apply during active rideshares, but coverage gaps can exist when a driver is waiting for a request. Determining fault, identifying your eligibility for coverage, and seeking fair compensation requires careful legal analysis and skilled representation.
What Steps Should I Take After My Lyft Accident To Maximize My Chances of Compensation?
Call the police and emergency medical personnel immediately after your Lyft crash to get official accident reports. Get medical attention right away, even if you do not have any obvious injuries. Document the scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, injuries, and gathering contact information from any nearby witnesses. Remember to report the accident to Lyft as soon as you can to protect your right to pursue compensation. Your next step should be to contact a skilled Scranton Lyft accident lawyer to learn more about your options.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Munley Law Lyft Accident Lawyer in Scranton?
The Lyft accident attorneys at Munley Law work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we do not charge you any fees for your initial consultation or ongoing legal support. In fact, we will only charge a fee if we win your case on your behalf. Until that time, our services to you are rendered free of charge.
Contact A Lyft Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Our Scranton personal injury lawyers have the experience necessary to handle your claim.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Munley Law to discuss your car accident case and how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on February 23, 2026.
