Were you injured in a Lyft accident and suffering serious injuries? If so, you may need help from a Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney. They can help you determine who is responsible and hold them accountable for damages.
Whether you’re going out for the night, running errands in a hurry, or going to the airport, Lyft is a convenient and accessible rideshare service. They even claim they make the streets safer by eliminating potential drunk drivers. While that may have some truth, the reality is that Lyft drivers cause accidents left and right.
In fact, research suggests that rideshare drivers may be more prone to accidents because they need to use their phones for work. Phone use while driving is a major distraction and can cause disastrous collisions.
You might be unsure what to do next if you were injured in a Tampa Lyft accident due to a negligent driver. We recommend contacting an experienced Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney who can help you determine liability and recover damages. Florida rideshare laws are complex, so don’t try to guess your way through the legal process. Instead, get reliable, professional help to increase your chance of winning a fair payout.
Why Should I Hire a Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney?
Big rideshare companies like Lyft often try to avoid responsibility for accidents. Despite Lyft’s $1 million liability coverage policy, they do everything to avoid liability for your damages. While their commercial insurance does include liability, that doesn’t mean you’ll get paid easily for damages.
As an injured victim of a Lyft accident, you may experience challenges contacting the company to report the accident. However, hiring a Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney can help you avoid stress.
Consulting with an experienced Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney will ensure you can hold all negligent parties accountable. Rideshare laws are also continually evolving, which can complicate matters more. An attorney can assure you of solid legal protection and guidance.
Common Causes of Lyft Car Accidents in Tampa
Lyft drivers are often distracted by their phones because they need to use them for work. Whether accepting a passenger or following navigation, cell phones are a huge distraction while driving. Unfortunately, even the slightest moment of distraction can lead to a wreck.
Some of the top causes of Tampa Lyft car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk driving
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Careless driving
- Talking to a passenger while driving
Lyft drivers have an added layer of stress while driving compared to other drivers. They often must navigate new areas to take the client to the destination. Furthermore, their paycheck depends on tips and customer ratings. Unfortunately, some drivers go to great lengths to get a five-star rating. They might speed or engage in other reckless driving behaviors to shorten their ride. Just having passengers in the car can add extra pressure to an already stressful job like driving.
If you believe a negligent Lyft driver caused an accident that led to your injuries, contact a Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney. We will find out what happened and ensure you get proper reimbursement.
Common Injuries in Lyft Car Accidents in Tampa, FL
Some victims of Lyft car accidents walk away with minor injuries. But others get injured so badly that they can’t even walk away. Moreover, some injuries seem small at first but escalate later. Therefore, getting medical care ASAP after a car accident is advisable to avoid worsening injuries.
Here are some of the most common injuries that occur in Tampa Lyft car accidents:
- Broken bones
- Bone fractures
- Bruises or lacerationsSpinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Neck injuries like whiplash
- Back injuries and back pain
- Mental and psychological consequences (e.g., anxiety and depression)
If you suffered any of these or other injuries in a Lyft car accident, contact a Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney. They are your best shot at winning full and fair compensation for your inconveniences.
Establishing Fault in a Florida Lyft Car Accident
Lyft car accidents can get confusing. Since ridesharing companies are a fairly new industry, there may not always be a legal precedent for new challenges that arise. In addition, Lyft and other big corporations have hefty legal teams to protect them from liability. Therefore, you need a skilled Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney who knows how to handle all potential issues in a Lyft car accident case.
One reason Lyft car accidents are complex is that not all Lyft drivers are company employees. Instead, they operate as independent contractors, which means Lyft isn’t liable for accidents caused by their drivers. In addition, while Lyft does provide an option for commercial insurance for drivers, it’s limited. Once a driver accepts a ride, Lyft provides comprehensive and collision insurance, but only if the driver already has those types of coverage through their personal policy.
It’s possible then that the driver doesn’t have sufficient coverage to cover the full extent of your damages. Moreover, most personal policies don’t cover Lyft drivers for accidents on the job. So if a driver doesn’t purchase additional rideshare or commercial coverage, they may be on the hook for your damages.
Even if this sounds confusing, don’t get discouraged. That’s what we are here for. You need an experienced Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney who understands the law and how to establish liability.
A Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover Damages
A car accident is never easy, even if you don’t face permanent injuries. And you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. If you want to file a Lyft car accident claim, you must understand what damages you can recover.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Lyft Car Accident in Tampa?
Medical Expenses
Medical care is not cheap. Even paying for a minor injury can strain your finances, whether you have health insurance or not. Health care may not cover emergency room visits, hospitalization, medications, or ongoing medical services. You could get reimbursement if you paid out of pocket for these expenses.
Lost Income
If you suffered injuries in a Florida Lyft car accident, you might be unable to work. Growing medical costs can add up and quickly overwhelm an injury victim.
Reduced Earning Capacity
Your injuries may be so severe that you can never work again or return to the same job you had before. If you sustained permanent damages that affected your ability to make the same income you used to, you could claim recovery for that.
Pain and suffering
Accident injuries are much more than just physical pain and discomfort. In addition to medical care for physical injuries, you might need mental health services. Many accident victims experience anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Furthermore, if your injuries affect your quality of life or cause scarring and disfigurement, you can get compensation for those losses.
What To Do After Being Injured in a Lyft Car Accident
Following a Tampa Lyft car accident, here are some steps to ensure you protect your rights and the quality of your accident claim.
- Get medical care immediately after the accident. This will ensure you don’t have any life-threatening injuries (such as a traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding). Additionally, you need to have medical documentation as evidence for your claim. The insurance company might try to argue you are exaggerating your injuries or that they are unrelated to the accident if you delay treatment too long.
- Document everything and keep track of all expenses related to the accident. Take pictures of the accident scene and get witness contact information if possible. A Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney can advise you on other crucial evidence to obtain. For example, you may want to get a copy of the police report, medical records, and any other receipts due to accident-related damages.
- Contact a Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney. This might be the most important step you take. Strong legal counsel ensures you get the best outcome from your Lyft car accident claim.
Speak With A Reputable Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney Today
Don’t talk to insurance companies, adjusters, or attorneys before speaking with a Tampa Lyft Car Accident Attorney. Without the help of an attorney, you could make mistakes that will jeopardize your claim and ultimately reduce your settlement.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
