Yes, you can sue Lyft for an accident caused by a Lyft driver. However, this process is not always straightforward. This is because of Florida’s insurance requirements for all rideshare companies—officially known as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)—including Lyft.
Most personal injury cases settle out of court. You will have access to insurance coverage, although the policy and liable party could depend on if the Lyft driver was on duty, actively looking for a fare, or transporting a passenger at the time of the accident. Working with our Florida Uber & Lyft accident lawyers can allow you to understand your rights and how to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Recovering Compensation for Your Lyft Accident Injuries in Florida
Most crash victims in Florida first turn to their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for compensation. This is a no-fault policy that covers minor and moderate injuries, providing wage loss and medical care coverage. This policy pays out regardless of who was at fault.
However, there are situations where the process of seeking compensation might not go as planned. For example, if your injuries are severe, your own insurance may not cover all of your losses. If Lyft or their driver was obviously at fault, you may want to pursue justice by holding them accountable for your suffering.
In a situation like this, you want to know if you can sue Lyft for an accident so you can recover financial damages for your crash-related losses. The answer is, in some cases, yes.
How Does Lyft Insurance Coverage Work?
Like other ridesharing companies, Lyft provides different liability policies based on the driver’s status in the app. The required coverage levels can be found under Florida Statutes § 627.748. This includes:
- Logged Out: If the driver is logged out of the app, only their personal insurance applies.
- Available/Waiting for Ride Request: When the driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride, Lyft provides third-party liability coverage that includes up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury. This is a contingency policy and will only pay if the driver’s personal insurance does not.
- On a Trip: When a driver has accepted a ride or has a rider in the car, Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability coverage.
Florida’s Rideshare Laws and Vicarious Liability
Lyft drivers are independent contractors. This means the company is generally not liable under Florida’s respondeat superior doctrine, which holds employers responsible for their employee’s negligence.
However, Florida law says they do have some responsibilities, including carrying insurance coverage and conducting background checks for drivers. How well the company follows these requirements could affect its liability after a crash. Under some circumstances, victims can sue Lyft for negligence.
A negligence case against the rideshare company might be possible if Lyft failed to follow the necessary rules to keep victims safe. For example, imagine Lyft did not perform a background check and hired a driver with a history of reckless driving convictions. If that driver later caused a collision, our car accident attorneys could hold Lyft liable.
When Can You Hold Lyft Liable for an Accident?
Because Lyft’s drivers are independent contractors, it is necessary to show that Lyft itself was negligent before you can hold the company legally responsible. Such a legal action would go beyond filing an insurance claim based on the insurance coverage provided.
For example, negligent hiring or negligent oversight could be a viable reason to sue the company if it failed to adequately research and monitor driver behavior, and if the driver’s behavior caused an accident.
Other Possible Liable Parties in Your Lyft Crash Case
You have the right to sue any and all parties who contributed to your crash. In addition to Lyft and the Lyft driver, this could include local governments, mechanics, or other drivers.
The more liable parties there are, the more complicated your case may be. Our Lyft accident attorneys can make it easier for you to seek justice by handling your entire case on your behalf.
Florida Law Could Affect When You Can Sue Lyft
Compensation should be available for you through Lyft when:
- The driver was on the app when they hit your vehicle, so you have access to Lyft’s required insurance coverage
- You were a rider in the Lyft when the collision occurred
- Lyft was negligent in its hiring or oversight practices, such as allowing an unsafe driver to continue working
In general, you likely have up to two years to determine your rights and file a lawsuit against Lyft, a Lyft driver, or another liable party. This deadline is set by Florida Statutes § 95.11.
However, you will want to act quickly after your injuries. These cases can be complex, and you want our attorneys to have as much time as possible to preserve evidence, figure out what happened, and navigate the claims process.
What Compensation Can You Get by Suing Lyft?
While PIP insurance coverage is limited in scope, filing a claim or lawsuit allows you to pursue money for:
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Estimated future losses
- Financial losses not covered by your own insurance policy
Our Florida car accident lawyers can help determine if a lawsuit against Lyft is viable or if pursuing an insurance claim is the best option.
Discuss Your Lyft Accident Case With Our Team Today for Free
Rosenberg & Rosenberg has recovered millions for injured clients and fought for the compensation they deserve for more than 50 years. We are here to help you understand your rights and manage your Lyft accident case, too. We are a contingency-fee firm, so you will never pay any upfront costs or fees.
Contact us for a free, confidential consultation and find out how we can help you sue Lyft for an accident.
