If you are injured in an accident with a Lyft vehicle, whether you are a driver, passenger, or third party, you can seek compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Lyft carries insurance to cover medical expenses, lost income, and other damages after an accident. However, the coverage you can receive depends on who was responsible for the accident, whether other insurance will cover your damages, and the severity of your losses.
Our Fort Lauderdale Uber & Lyft accident attorneys can tell you more about how Lyft insurance works, when you can file a claim, and what kinds of losses you could recover.
Lyft Insurance Requirements Vary by State
Every state has different insurance requirements for Lyft, Uber, and other rideshare companies. In Florida, Lyft insurance must cover accidents that occur when the driver is logged into the rideshare app or actively engaged in transporting a rider.
Under Florida Statutes § 627.748, while the driver is logged into the network but not engaged in a ride, Lyft and the driver must provide coverage in the following amounts:
- $50,000 coverage for death or bodily injury per person
- $100,000 coverage for death or bodily injury per incident
- $25,000 coverage for property damage
- Personal injury protection
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Lyft must provide the same types of coverage but with a $1 million limit for death, bodily injury, and property damage while the driver is engaged in a ride. Depending on your accident details, you may have grounds to file an insurance claim with your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, the rideshare company’s policy, or the Lyft driver’s auto coverage.
Since every state’s coverage is different, you could benefit from consulting with a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer familiar with rideshare laws in your area.
How Much Does Lyft Pay for Accidents?
When you are in an accident caused by a Lyft driver, you have a right to file a claim with Lyft for damages you sustained. The amount you can get for a Lyft claim depends on the extent of your losses and policy coverage limits. Damages you could recover in a Lyft accident claim include:
- Medical expenses related to your Lyft accident injuries
- Income lost because of the Lyft collision
- Diminished future income if your injuries cause disability or impairment
- Physical pain and suffering
- Psychological distress caused by your physical injuries
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
Insurance companies often fight for the lowest possible settlement, but our car accident attorneys can fight for your right to fair compensation.
Does Lyft Cover You in an Accident?
If you are in a collision involving a Lyft vehicle, you may have grounds to file a claim with Lyft’s insurance. However, your eligibility depends on several factors, including:
- Whether you are a Lyft passenger, Lyft driver, or third party
- Whether the Lyft driver or the app’s operation contributed to the accident
- Whether you suffered injuries because of the accident caused by a Lyft driver or the app
- Whether you have PIP coverage
If the accident was caused by a third-party driver or a Lyft driver who had the app off, you may have to file a claim with the driver’s insurance, not Lyft’s. In Florida and other no-fault states, you may also need to file a claim with your PIP insurance or a PIP policy in your household.
How Does Personal Injury Protection Affect a Lyft Collision Claim?
Florida’s no-fault laws are designed to ensure that auto policy holders can receive medical treatment and income reimbursement regardless of who is responsible for the accident. If you, your spouse, or another household member has PIP coverage, you may file a claim with that policy.
PIP policies are often limited and may not cover the full scope of your damages. For an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can file a claim against the at-fault party, such as Lyft, the Lyft driver, or a third-party driver. Such claims typically require proving fault and establishing liability.
A personal injury lawyer in Florida can help you determine which policy applies to your Lyft accident and guide you through the claims process.
Insurance Carriers Often Fight Lyft Accident Claims
Rideshare accidents are often complicated because there are more parties involved. Insurance companies may fight with claimants and each other to establish who is responsible and how much liability each party has for the crash.
When you are simply trying to recover compensation for injuries caused by someone else, fighting with stubborn insurance carriers can be overwhelming and frustrating. Our Lyft accident attorneys in Florida know how to establish fault, prove liability, and negotiate with insurers to recover a fair settlement.
Will I Need to File a Lawsuit Against Lyft?
In some cases, your lawyer may recommend filing a lawsuit against Lyft’s insurers. A lawsuit can benefit your claim in several ways.
First, filing a lawsuit shows Lyft’s insurers that you are serious about recovering a fair settlement. Companies often choose to settle rather than face potentially costly and time-consuming litigation.
Second, when there are multiple insurance companies fighting over liability, it can help to have the court intervene. A trial before a judge and jury allows for an impartial review of the evidence and a reasonable assessment of fault for all involved parties.
Finally, there is usually a statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party in a rideshare accident. If you miss this deadline, you could lose the chance to recover compensation. Many injury cases settle out of court, but filing a lawsuit still gives you the chance to take the case to trial, if necessary.
Find Out How Lyft Insurance Works Today
If you or a loved one were injured in a Lyft accident in Florida, Rosenberg & Rosenberg can help you understand how Lyft insurance works and what legal options are available to you. We have been serving the wrongfully injured for more than 50 years, recovering millions on behalf of our clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
