What to Do if Your Lyft Driver is in an Accident: 4 Essential Steps to Follow

Michael S. Callahan | | Lyft Accident
what happens if your lyft driver gets into an accident

As a Lyft or Uber rider, your safety is in the hands of someone you don’t know. Let’s take a look at the essential things to know if your Lyft driver is in an accident, including how Uber and Lyft insurance works and where the legal responsibilities for your injury and property damage lie.

Understanding Lyft Accidents

While each accident is the result of a unique set of circumstances, there are four basic Lyft accident scenarios:

  1. You are the Lyft driver and the cause of the accident. An example of this includes a speeding Lyft driver who was unable to stop in time to avoid an accident.
  2. You are a passenger in a Lyft accident. This scenario involves a person (the passenger) being within the vehicle when the accident happened.
  3. Another driver causes the accident. Instead of the Lyft driver being the proximate cause of the accident, the driver in the other vehicle may be at fault.
  4. A third-party, such as an auto parts manufacturer of a defective part. It seems like there’s a new vehicle recall every week. If the Lyft vehicle had a defective product or part installed, the parts manufacturer may hold some of the fault.

Determining liability can be tricky due to the many factors involved in a Lyft accident, which is why many Lyft passengers hire an experienced rideshare accident attorney to help navigate the legal aspect.

Let’s explore the four steps you should take directly after a Lyft accident.

Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident

If you’re involved in a Lyft accident scenario, here are the steps to take if your Lyft driver is in an accident.

  1. Call 911. Above all else, it’s imperative to help ensure that everyone on the scene is safe- including yourself. Calling 911 dispatches both EMTs and police to the scene. Law enforcement will create a report and you’ll need that report number to pull a copy of the report for your records.
  2. Gather necessary insurance and other information. If you have a smartphone, you could take photos and videos of the scene of the accident, injuries, and even damage to the vehicles involved- but be sure to do this only if it is safe to do so. You should also collect the insurance information of your Lyft driver and other involved parties. Finally, you should get the contact information of any witnesses.
  3. Report the accident. Report the accident to both the insurance company and submit a Lyft accident report. Don’t sign anything sent to you by the insurance company or Lyft unless you have the document reviewed first to ensure that it’s in your best interest.
  4. Schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney. You must understand that both the insurance company and Lyft have attorneys looking out for what’s in their best interest. By consulting with and hiring an attorney to help you, you can rest knowing that there’s someone experienced looking out for what’s in your best interest.

Lyft Accident Statistics

To highlight the danger of Lyft accidents and other rideshare accidents in Texas, here are a few brief statistics you should know about. Lyft statistics state:

With the complications that arise in Lyft accident scenarios, legal assistance is essential.

Why Legal Assistance Is Essential

If you’re considering the question of how you can sue Lyft, schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney today. There are multiple complications that may arise in this type of claim. This includes dealing with a third-party insurance agent for the policy held by the rideshare driver and dealing with Uber and Lyft insurance policies. A lawyer can help you by:

  • Providing a thorough investigation into the Lyft accident;
  • Help you complete a Lyft accident report. You can find the report at https://www.lyft.com/arow;
  • Handle all insurance companies and possible defendants on your behalf; and
  • Create and implement a plan to get you all of the compensation you deserve.

Filing a Lawsuit Against Lyft in Texas

Between 2017 and 2019, Lyft couldn’t operate legally in the State of Texas. Texas requires that commercial drivers be fingerprinted. It wasn’t until Governor Greg Abbot signed legislation that overrode this requirement for Lyft drivers. Lyft began its Texas operations after the law was signed into place.

Filing a lawsuit against Lyft in Texas starts by completing the police report and Lyft’s accident report. The accident should also be filed with the Lyft driver’s commercial driver insurance policy. While many claims are settled, you should consider hiring a Texas Lyft accident attorney so that they can take care of any complications that arise.

By starting with an attorney early in the claims process, your lawyer can be better prepared if it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit against Lyft for:

Common Personal Injuries Sustained in Lyft Accidents

Some of the most common personal injuries sustained in a Lyft accident include and may not be limited to:

Determining Fault in a Rideshare Accident

It’s not always easy to understand fault in a rideshare accident. This is one way that hiring an attorney can benefit you. Your lawyer can help you understand who is at fault in the accident. Potential defendants include and may not be limited to:

  • The Lyft driver
  • Another vehicle
  • Parts manufacturer if the accident was caused by a defective part

Get Help With Your Texas Lyft Accident Claim Now

There’s no guarantee that the insurance company or Lyft will treat you fairly and pay out what you truly deserve. Call and schedule a consultation with a Lyft accident attorney as soon as you can after the accident. An experienced lawyer can get you through the Lyft accident scenario from start to finish.

FAQ

Does Lyft Have UM Coverage in Texas?

Yes, under certain circumstances, Lyft does provide uninsured motorist coverage for their drivers.

How Much Are Lyft Cars Insured for in Case of Accident in Texas?

According to Lyft:

  • Physical damage is limited at $50,000
  • They provide a $1,000 deductible for drivers
  • Auto liability coverage in various amounts depending on what the Lyft driver was doing at the time of the crash
  • UM coverage may be provided as well

Can I Sue Lyft?

Whether you can sue Lyft depends on the facts surrounding your claim. Schedule a free consultation to learn whether you have a valid claim.