Lyft Accidents
According to the Business of Apps, Lyft had 21.2 million active riders in the first quarter of 2020. They also report having over two million drivers across 644 U.S. cities and 12 Canadian cities. Lyft is a popular alternative to Uber in Tampa and across Florida. Tourists hail Lyft to get to and from the airport, restaurants, and theme parks while commuters sometimes opt for using Lyft instead of purchasing their own car. When there are this many people taking advantage of the ride-sharing opportunities, some Lyft drivers and passengers are inevitably going to be involved in traffic collisions on Florida’s roadways. Our trusted attorneys at the office of Mark H. Wright, PLLC can help you get the best compensation possible.
What to Do If You Have Been In A Lyft Accident
As with any collision, first you should make sure all parties involved in the crash receive medical attention and call the police, so a crash report can be filed. Share names, contact information, and driver’s license numbers with the other parties involved and if there were witnesses, make sure to collect their contact information as well. Next step is to contact a qualified personal injury attorney and to report the incident to Lyft.
Distracted Driving A Common Problem with Lyft Drivers
Lyft drivers are often glancing over at the app to see notifications about what riders they need to pick up and where. Once a driver is at a location, they must spot the stranger who hailed the ride. All of these tasks are additional to safely navigating their vehicle and can cause a distracted driving crash. If a Lyft driver has a long shift, they may be driving drowsy, which further increases their risk of causing a collision.
When Does Lyft’s Insurance Take Effect?
According to Lyft, all of their drivers are required to have a personal auto insurance policy that meets minimum state coverage requirements. This is important because, when the app is off, the only insurance policy that will cover the driver is their personal auto policy. However, once the app is on, Lyft has insurance to help cover the driver in the event of a collision. If the Lyft driver is available but awaiting a ride request, Lyft has the following policy:
- $50,000/person for bodily injury
- $100,000/accident for bodily injury
- $25,000/accident for property damage
This coverage will only apply as third-party liability insurance if the driver’s personal insurance policy fails to cover the crash. For the driver who is enroute to pick up passengers or has passengers in the vehicle with them, Lyft provides the following insurance:
- $1,000,000 for 3rd-party auto liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
- Contingent comprehensive & collision
Contact an Attorney With Experience Handling Lyft Accident Cases
If you have been injured in a collision that involves a Lyft driver, you will want to seek legal help from the trusted attorneys at the office of Mark H. Wright, PLLC. We work with clients to prove liability, collect evidence of the damages, and submit a comprehensive personal injury claim so that you get the best compensation possible. Contact us today at 813-425-2020 to schedule a free consultation.
