Many people expect rideshare travel to be as safe as riding in a taxi, professional car service, or public transportation system. However, with the requirements for rideshare drivers being so loose, accidents involving Uber and Lyft are on the rise. If you have suffered critical injuries in a rideshare accident, an experienced Grand Rapids Lyft accident lawyer at White Law PLLC may be able to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to receive.
Whether you were hit by a Lyft driver, traveling in a Lyft, or were hit by a car while working for Lyft, you may have the right to total reimbursement of your damages. However, the claims process can be drawn out and complex. Contact a Grand Rapids car accident lawyer at our firm today for a free consultation and learn more about which parties could be held accountable for your damages and what you could be awarded.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in Grand Rapids
Your Lyft accident lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI, at White Law PLLC will carefully consider how your collision happened. This will help us identify the liable party and find out who is responsible for your injuries and damages. Some of the top causes of rideshare and Lyft accidents include:
- Drunk driving
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Defective vehicle parts
- Dangerous weather
- Impaired driving
- Drowsy driving
- Road rage
- Failure to check blind spots
- Failure to yield
- Failure to stop
- Hazardous road conditions
Figuring out the cause of the accident helps your personal injury attorney zero in on individuals and entities who could share responsibility. Negligent Lyft drivers, the Lyft corporation, auto parts manufacturers, dealerships, dram shops, social hosts, and even maintenance workers could be at fault. Our investigation will reveal anyone and everyone who should be compelled to compensate you for your losses.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How Lyft Accident Claims Work
Lyft accident claims are more complex than standard car accident cases. This is partly because there are often multiple parties that share responsibility for your injuries. It is important to understand how Lyft auto insurance works and when it is in effect to figure out how you will go about recovering fair compensation.
Lyft Auto Insurance Coverage
Lyft, like most rideshare service providers, protects its drivers with auto insurance coverage. However, Lyft insurance is only in place when the driver is in driver mode, logged into the app, waiting for a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger. While the driver is waiting for a ride, the following types of coverage are in place:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury or medical expenses
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury coverage or medical costs
- $25,000 per accident for property damage coverage
Coverage is increased to up to $1 million in liability insurance when the driver is transporting a passenger to and from their location. Lyft drivers will be expected to pay a $2500 deductible when a claim is filed against their policy. However, since many accidents occur outside of this timeframe, it is also important to consider the state’s mandatory minimum auto insurance requirements.
Mandatory Auto Insurance Requirements in MI
Michigan law requires all motorists to carry certain types of coverage. They must also have minimum amounts of coverage. These include:
- $50,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
- $100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $10,000 in property damage expenses
- Personal injury protection (PIP)
- Property protection insurance
Drivers are not required to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist liability coverage. When the Lyft accident happens outside of Lyft insurance coverage time periods, the Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance coverage should be in place. However, since Michigan is a no-fault state, you will typically file a claim against your auto insurance policy before any others.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
You Have the Right to Maximum Financial Compensation
You have the right to be fully repaid for your damages after a Lyft accident. Every single loss should be accounted for when your car accident lawyer calculates the value of your claim. Some examples of damages you could be awarded include:
- Medical bills
- Vehicle repairs
- Auto insurance premium increases
- Health insurance premium increases
- Lost wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of benefits provided by your employer
- Pain and chronic suffering
- Skin scarring and embarrassing disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Future medical treatment
Some of these damages can be recovered through your insurance claim. However, insurance companies often do not offer compensation for many of the economic and non-economic damages you are entitled to receive. For that reason, you should always prepare to bring your Lyft accident case to trial if you hope to maximize your payout.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
File Your Lyft Accident Lawsuit Before the Deadline
All Lyft accident claims have deadlines. Insurance claims have shorter deadlines because they are set by the insurance company. Some insurers give claimants as few as two days to file a claim.
A Lyft accident lawsuit is different. You must follow the statute of limitations for personal injury and car accident claims, which is three years from the accident date. This deadline could be extended if minor children are injured or your injuries are not diagnosed until a later date.
These deadlines are not always clear. Your Grand Rapids Lyft accident attorney can offer clarity and ensure your lawsuit or insurance claim is filed before time runs out. Otherwise, you could be barred from recovering the damages you have a right to seek.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Connect with a Lyft Accident Attorney in Grand Rapids, MI, Today
While Lyft and financially responsible insurance companies may look for opportunities to avoid their obligations, when you have an aggressive and skilled Grand Rapids Lyft accident lawyer at White Law PLLC on your side, you can make them pay. You should never be stuck absorbing the costs of someone else’s reckless or negligent actions. Our team is here to help you get justice for your suffering.
Are you ready to regain control of your life? Are you anxious to put this traumatic experience behind you? Contact our personal injury law firm for a 100% free consultation today by completing our online contact form or calling our office to get started.
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