A Lyft accident claim can involve several sources of insurance coverage depending on who caused the crash and what the rideshare driver was doing at the time. Rolo Law Personal Injury Lawyers helps people injured in Lyft accidents in Middletown, New York, investigate liability and determine what compensation may be available.
Our attorneys have 40 years of combined experience handling injury matters. Call 845-383-7790 for a free consultation with a Middletown Lyft accident lawyer.
How Can Rolo Law Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Lyft Accident in Middletown, NY?
Lyft accidents can involve the rideshare driver, other motorists, Lyft’s insurance coverage, and additional insurers. For an accident in Middletown, NY, Rolo Law Personal Injury Lawyers can investigate the collision and determine which parties and policies may apply.
A Middletown personal injury lawyer can help by:
- Obtaining police reports, photographs, and witness statements
- Preserving Lyft trip and rideshare information
- Investigating what the Lyft driver was doing when the crash occurred
- Identifying drivers and other parties who may be responsible
- Reviewing available insurance policies
- Documenting medical expenses, lost income, and other losses
- Handling communications with insurers
- Negotiating for a settlement
- Preparing the case for court when necessary
Rideshare claims can raise insurance questions that do not arise in every car accident case. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Middletown car accident attorney to discuss your potential claim.
What Is My Lyft Accident Case Worth?
There is no standard value for a Lyft accident claim. Case value depends on the severity and duration of the injuries, their effect on the injured person’s life and work, the evidence establishing responsibility, and the insurance coverage available.
Factors that may affect a claim include:
- The type and severity of the injuries
- Whether the injuries result in permanent limitations
- The length of medical treatment and recovery
- Whether future treatment will be required
- The effect on employment and earning capacity
- The strength of the evidence showing who caused the crash
- Whether the injured person shares responsibility
- Whether more than one party contributed to the accident
- The Lyft driver’s status when the collision occurred
- The amount and sources of available insurance coverage
The Lyft driver’s activity at the time of the crash can be especially important because different insurance coverage may apply depending on the circumstances.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Lyft Accident?
An injured person may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages when another party is legally responsible for a Lyft crash.
Economic damages may include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, future treatment, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
Non-economic damages may compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, physical limitations, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The damages available depend on how the accident and resulting injuries affected the individual.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Fault for a Lyft Accident in New York?
New York follows a pure comparative fault rule. An injured person’s damages can be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility for the accident.
For example, if someone sustains $100,000 in damages but is found 20% responsible, the recovery could be reduced to $80,000.
Unlike states with modified comparative fault systems, New York does not use a 50% or 51% cutoff that automatically prevents recovery based solely on the injured person’s percentage of fault.
What Causes Lyft Accidents in New York?
Lyft crashes can occur for many of the same reasons as other motor vehicle accidents. The rideshare environment can also require drivers to interact with an app, navigate unfamiliar locations, and frequently pick up or drop off passengers.
Potential causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Driver fatigue
- Unsafe lane changes
- Following too closely
- Running traffic signals or stop signs
- Failing to yield
Determining the cause can help establish which driver or other party may be responsible.
What Should I Do After a Lyft Accident?
If you are involved in a Lyft crash, seek medical care when necessary and preserve information about the accident and rideshare trip.
Helpful steps may include:
- Call 911 and report the collision
- Photograph the vehicles and accident scene
- Obtain contact information from witnesses
- Save screenshots and receipts from the Lyft trip
- Keep medical and expense records
- Preserve insurance and police documents
Rideshare information can be particularly important when determining the driver’s status and applicable insurance coverage.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lyft Accident Lawsuit in New York?
New York generally provides three years to bring an action for personal injuries resulting from negligence. Different deadlines can apply to certain defendants or types of claims, including claims involving government entities.
Because evidence can become harder to obtain over time, investigating the collision promptly may also help preserve rideshare records, photographs, video, and witness information.
Contact Our Middletown Lyft Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A Lyft accident can leave an injured person dealing with medical treatment, missed work, and questions about which insurance company is responsible. Determining the driver’s rideshare status and identifying all available coverage can be important parts of the claim.
Contact us today for a free consultation with Rolo Law Personal Injury Lawyers. A Middletown Lyft accident attorney can review the crash and explain your options for pursuing compensation.