Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law is there for you if you’ve been hurt in a Lyft accident in Tulsa. Whether you’re hurt as a passenger, as a pedestrian, or as a driver in your own vehicle, we want to help you earn more. When a Lyft driver causes an accident, we assist you in holding the driver and the driver’s employer responsible. Contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more.
Should I Call a Lawyer After an Accident Involving Lyft?
If your injuries end up being very minor, or there’s only car damage to sort out, you may not need a lawyer’s help for your case. But if you are seriously hurt in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, you may need strong legal assistance to hold the large rideshare company liable. Lyft does cover their drivers for accidents in certain situations, but they also have corporate lawyers who look for opportunities to reject your claim.
When your medical bills are high, Lyft’s attorneys and insurance reps will attempt to pin the blame for an accident on you. They’ll also devalue your injury as much as possible, so they can offer you less in an accident settlement check. Your Tulsa Lyft Accident Lawyer is your shield against this treatment.
Your lawyer would investigate your case and the driver involved. The evidence uncovered would be used to hold a rideshare and its insurance providers fully responsible. Your lawyer then aggressively negotiates to maximize the support you receive for your physical and financial recovery.
Lyft Accident Dangers in Tulsa
Travelers on busy routes like 71st Street or I-244 may not realize how many rideshare vehicles are passing them by. Lyft drivers might be on the way to pick up a rider or be in a rush to get a passenger to a destination on time.
The business model that Lyft uses, using local drivers and our local roads can lead to additional traffic dangers for everyone else. Drivers can be under pressure to keep customers happy, keep their Lyft bosses happy, and earn as much as possible. This pressure can lead to mistakes and reckless decisions.
A study published by the CDC found that rideshare vehicle trips may lead to around a 4.6% increase in the chances of traffic collisions. The study mentions how pedestrian accidents also increase in cities with rideshare services.
These are just a few of the ways a Lyft driver can lose focus on the road and end up in an accident:
- Distracted Lyft Drivers – Rideshare drivers rely on the Lyft app to communicate with customers, to map a trip, and to get paid. Drivers on the clock must check cell phones continuously just to do their jobs. In some cases, motorists are even working for both Uber and Lyft at the same time, with double the distraction. This distraction takes their eyes off what’s going on around the rideshare vehicle.
- Reckless Lyft Drivers – Rideshare drivers can be tempted to speed or aggressively pass slower drivers and make unpredictable lane changes. The work stress Lyft puts its employees under can lead to errors in judgment and traffic collisions.
- Tired Lyft Drivers – We can all have a bad day at work, but rideshare drivers are behind the wheel of a fast-moving, heavy piece of machinery when they have a down day. They may be drowsy from not getting enough sleep the night before. Drivers might have had a fight with a loved one or a passenger and be upset and preoccupied. The physical and emotional condition of a rideshare driver can affect how safely they drive.
Victims hurt while on a Lyft ride or hurt in a collision with a Lyft car should receive full injury support until they’ve healed. But big transportation companies won’t accept blame and offer financial help willingly. Your Ylla|Gosney representative would handle the frustrating negotiations with insurance companies while allowing you the time you need to recover.
Does Lyft Have Insurance for Car Accidents?
Yes. Lyft backs its drivers with car insurance, but only if the accident meets certain criteria. Drivers must have the app on and be seeking customers for company insurance coverage to apply.
This is a rundown of how much insurance coverage is available depending on the Lyft driver’s phase of work at the time of the collision:
- Lyft Driver Is Not Working: Lyft drivers are required to have their own auto insurance. If a rideshare driver doesn’t have the app open, you’ll need to file a claim with the driver’s auto insurance provider.
- Lyft Driver Is Logged Into the Lyft App But No Customer: In this situation, Lyft provides $100,000 total injury liability per accident and $25,000 property damage liability for accident victims.
- Lyft Driver Has a Passenger or Is on the Way to Pick Up a Passenger: In this situation, Lyft would cover victims of any accidents with up to one million dollars in injury coverage.
Even in one of these defined situations, Lyft’s team of lawyers will do everything possible to wiggle out of taking accountability for an accident. But your Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer would be ready to get aggressive. On top of the physical evidence, your attorney would also be investigating the rideshare driver’s history, and Lyft’s safety record. Your lawyer would also question Lyft’s hiring and training policies. All of these factors would help hold the rideshare company fully liable for your pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Things Can I Get Compensation for from Lyft?
Your attorney will be demanding funds so you can pay every current medical bill and any bill that might arise in the future. You’ll need the reimbursement of every paycheck and benefit lost while you’ve had to miss work. You must also receive support for the physical and emotional pain victims often cope with. This is just a short list of the things that will factor into an accident settlement check.
Should I Talk to Lyft After an Accident?
Only offer basic information. If Lyft lawyers or a Lyft insurance rep asks you to make a recorded statement over the phone, decline. They are hoping you say something they can twist to devalue your injury claim later. Refer them to your attorney.
How long can I wait to file a Tulsa car accident claim?
Two years. Oklahoma personal injury victims have up to two years from the date of the injury to file injury claims. Acting quickly is still the best strategy because waiting can make evidence harder to find and witnesses more difficult to locate.
What if I can’t afford to pay a Tulsa car accident lawyer?
You won’t need any upfront money to hire Ylla|Gosney Attorneys At Law. We don’t accept payment unless we win your case. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you receive. We also adjust our fees to make sure you keep what you need to rebuild your life.
Contact an Tulsa Accident Lawyer
We have an extensive background in safeguarding Tulsa accident victims. At Ylla|Gosney Attorneys At Law, we offer a free, no-obligation case consultation with a real Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer. Contact us as soon as possible.
There’s no pressure to file suit or even use our services if you decide to file a claim. We simply want you informed of everything you need to know before you speak to Lyft or their insurance representatives.
