If you are like most people, you have probably come to rely on Lyft drivers when you are unable to drive. Lyft is one of two pioneering companies in the rideshare industry. Nearly anyone can become a Lyft driver. This has led to a supply of drivers that more than meets demand. However, it has also created potential dangers.
Many Floridians moonlight as Lyft drivers to make ends meet. They may work one or two jobs and then go on the clock for Lyft in the evening. A tired Lyft driver is not in the ideal condition to offer safe transport. Their fatigue can only increase the risk of a car accident.
If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, you do have legal options.
The Next Step
Your first move after the accident should be to contact a personal injury lawyer. Before you file any official claim, you should have a legal strategy in place, or at least the beginnings of one. And you should not speak to any insurance official before consulting a lawyer.
During the initial consultation the lawyer will want you to recall the circumstances that led to the accident. They will want to get the facts down while they are still fresh in your memory. Your lawyer will also want to know the impact of the accident on your health and what the doctors have to say about your prognosis.
Why You May Need to Sue
Your lawyer will take the lead in negotiating with Lyft. If the company refuses to offer a settlement or offers one so low that it would not even begin to cover your medical expenses, then you may need to sue.
The consequences of an especially bad Lyft accident can be devastating to you and your family. If the accident forced you to spend weeks and months in the hospital, you are likely to be in serious debt when you are finally released. Indeed, you may not be able to go straight back to work; and if you were in job that requires you to be physically strong and healthy, you may have to abandon your livelihood altogether.
The Role of Your Lawyer
Your lawyer will not settle for the official accident report. They will engage the services of their own professional investigators. The latter will re-examine the accident scene and re-interview all eyewitnesses. This often turns up new evidence missed by the original police investigation.
Your lawyer will also make inquiries into the state of the Lyft driver at the time of the accident. If your driver was over-tired, under the influence of alcohol, or simply reckless, your lawyer will find out about it and use it as leverage. Your lawyer will also get statements from your doctor and other medical experts explaining the nature of your injuries and the long-term consequences they will have on your health.
The case need not go to trial. If your lawyer is able to present enough evidence to the respondent, they may decide it is better to settle.
You can Click Here to get more information on what to do after a Lyft accident.
