People in Richardson, TX, have come to rely on ridesharing services like Lyft to take them to their destinations in relative comfort and safety. However, like other motorists, Lift drivers can cause an accident. You could become involved in the accident as a Lyft passenger, a pedestrian, or another motorist.
Fortunately, Lyft accident victims have the right to file for compensation against the at-fault Lyft driver or Lyft, Inc. A Richardson Lyft accident lawyer from Underwood Law Office can assist you with the tasks involved in taking legal action. We can help you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit to get you the compensation you need.
Compensation Options After Your Richardson Lyft Accident
You typically have two ways to get compensated after the Lyft collision: through a liability insurance claim or a lawsuit. It is also possible that the at-fault side might propose settling matters privately through arbitration to avoid dealing with the various processes involved with contesting a claim or suit.
Our Richardson Lyft accident lawyer can review your case before advising you on which option would be most likely to help you reach a fair settlement. They can also help estimate your total settlement value and gather evidence of the Lyft driver’s liability and the damages they caused.
Filing a Liability Insurance Claim With Lyft or Their Driver
According to Texas Insurance Code Section 1954.051, rideshare companies, including Lyft, must carry liability insurance for their drivers. If the Lyft driver causes an accident, the liability coverage will pay for the victim’s expenses. The limits that apply depend on whether the driver is logged on to Lyft’s app.
If the driver is online and is waiting for ride requests, Lyft’s third-party liability insurance can cover:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
If the Lyft driver has passengers in their car and the app is on, or they are on the way to pick up passengers, Lyft’s insurance covers a minimum of $1,000,000 for third-party liability.
When Lyft drivers are not logged into the app, they are considered off the clock and Lyft’s auto insurance will not apply. You will have to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance provider.
Our Richardson Lyft accident lawyer can help you get a claim filed with the appropriate insurance provider and handle communications with the insurers.
Taking the Case to Civil Court
Our Richardson Lyft accident lawyer may suggest filing a lawsuit if they find liability claims unfeasible based on the situation. For instance, the Lyft driver’s insurance policy limits might not be enough to pay your full case value. They may have also caused the collision on purpose. Insurance companies usually do not handle claims arising from their policyholder’s intentional or grossly negligent behavior.
Civil courts will decide the verdict in accident lawsuits. A Lyft crash attorney from our firm can be your legal representative until the case settles.
For a free legal consultation with a lyft accidents lawyer serving Richardson, call (972) 535-6377
You Must Comply With the Statute of Limitations in Richardson
Richardson Lyft accident cases have the same statute of limitations, or filing deadlines, as other injury actions throughout Texas. As such, you typically have two years to file your lawsuit according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003.
Failure to comply will get your action dismissed, barring you from recovering any damages. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to start working on the case sooner rather than later to avoid missing out on your chance for compensation.
Some exceptions to the statute of limitations may apply. Our Lyft accident lawyer can assist you with this filing requirement by determining your exact time limit. If your case goes to court, we will defend you in any legal proceedings.
Richardson Lyft Accident Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
Damages You Can Recover in Lyft Accident Cases
You can recover economic and non-economic damages after a Lyft accident. Economic damages will compensate you for your financial losses caused by the accident. Your non-economic damages can cover your intangible losses. Some examples of economic damages include:
- Hospital bills
- Medications
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Vehicle repairs
- Lost wages or business income
Meanwhile, non-economic damages compensate for damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A Lyft collision lawyer from our firm can assign a monetary value to your non-economic damages. Compiling your expenses as soon as you start receiving bills and receipts will help in estimating your damages accurately.
How Comparative Fault Affects Your Case
Due to Texas’ comparative negligence laws, winning your Richardson Lyft accident case does not mean you will always recover the full settlement amount. If the court or the claims adjuster finds you partly liable for the car crash, they can reduce the damages you can receive from the at-fault side. For instance, if you are 30 percent at fault for the collision, you can only recover 70 percent of the total settlement amount.
However, you cannot recover anything if you share over 50 percent liability according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies § 33.001. Such a rule makes it vital to have your Richardson Lyft accident lawyer review the accident first to gather evidence that will support your claims.
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Call Underwood Law Office for a Case Assessment Today
Underwood Law Office is always open for consultations if you recently got involved in a Lyft accident here in Richardson. We have 25 years of experience handling various Texas injury cases, including Lyft collisions. Our team is equipped with the legal knowledge to guide you through the filing process and represent you in negotiations and court proceedings.
You can call us at any time for a free consultation. The support team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and listen to the details of your case.
Call or text (972) 535-6377 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
