Can You Sue Lyft for an Accident?

Can you sue Lyft for an accident? You can sue Lyft for an accident if you can demonstrate that the rideshare company is responsible for your injuries. 

There are several reasons why Lyft may be responsible for your injuries and losses. Talk to a Lyft accident lawyer in Rhode Island today.

You Were a Passenger Receiving a Ride

Those hurt in a car accident while a passenger of a Lyft vehicle may have the right to sue the company for the losses they suffered if the driver was logged into the app and accepted your ride request. It is critical for the driver to be engaged in providing service for Lyft itself to become responsible for your injuries.

For those who requested a Lyft ride and were hurt while the driver transported you, the rideshare company takes ownership of the experience you had, to some degree. It becomes essential for you, as the victim, to demonstrate that the driver was responsible for the accident. For example, the driver may have been speeding, checking their text messages, or driving aggressively at the time of the accident. If these actions caused the accident, you can file a claim for your losses through Lyft’s insurance company.

Most often, with evidence of your injuries well documented and clarity that you were hurt during the Lyft ride, the rideshare company’s insurance company will settle your claim with you. That means they pay you for the fair damages they believe you lost. If they do not provide fair compensation through a settlement, you may need to sue Lyft for the accident that caused your losses.

The Lyft Driver Struck You While You Were Driving Your Car

You may need to sue a Lyft driver if the driver caused an accident that resulted in a collision with your car. In many areas, the at-fault driver in such an accident is responsible for the injuries and losses caused to the victim. In situations where the driver was engaged in providing a service for Lyft when they struck your vehicle, Lyft maintains some level of responsibility for your injuries and losses.

Keep in mind that for this to be accurate, the Lyft driver must have been logged into the Lyft app and accepted a ride. They may be on the way to pick up that ride, or they may be providing that ride to a passenger in their vehicle on their own time. If they are not engaging in these actions right now, that may limit your ability to hold Lyft accountable.

As noted, Lyft’s insurance company will work with victims to find a fair level of compensation or try to get them to settle for less than they owe. In all of these situations, it is wise to hire a lawyer who will represent you so that you are not facing financial losses or denials. If the insurance company for the at-fault driver fails to cover your losses, you may have to sue Lyft after the accident.

The Lyft Driver Strikes You as a Pedestrian

Lyft drivers are often very distracted behind the wheel, whether they are paying attention to passengers or trying to navigate unfamiliar streets. In these situations, it is not uncommon for a driver to strike a pedestrian, and that could result in serious injuries and financial losses that impact you for years to come.

As a pedestrian accident victim, you may have to sue Lyft for your injuries if you can demonstrate that the driver was providing a Lyft service at the time of the accident and that they were negligent in the incident. Most often, the insurance company will agree to settle the claim out of court, but if they are unwilling to provide fair compensation, you may be able to file a lawsuit against Lyft to hold them accountable.

Filing a lawsuit against Lyft as a pedestrian may require careful examination of your financial losses, the short- and long-term impact on your health and wellbeing, and your emotional health. Without a doubt, having a legal team to guide you through maximizing these levels of compensation could be critical. Most often, you can avoid a lawsuit’s costs and frustrations by using a Rhode Island car accident lawyer who will negotiate fair compensation for you instead.

It Is Within Three Years of the Date of the Accident

To file a lawsuit against Lyft for the injuries their driver caused to you while providing service, you must act within the state’s statute of limitations (RI Gen. Laws § 9-1-14). In Rhode Island, that is three years from the date of the accident until you must file a claim in a court of law. If you miss this time period, the court will not hear your case, and you may not be able to file a claim.

This statute of limitations could seem like a long time, but that is not always a good thing. The longer you wait to seek action, the higher the risk is of evidence no longer being available or witnesses nowhere to be found. As a result, you should not wait to seek legal action. The three–year window gives your lawyer ample time to build a strong claim against those who caused your injuries.

Do not wait that long to take action. Instead, seek to file a claim within the shortest amount of time possible without rushing your recovery process. Talk to a Rhode Island rideshare accident lawyer about your case today.

Seek Legal Guidance From an Attorney to File a Claim

If you are unsure if you have time to file, contact a lawyer to discuss your case at length. Your lawyer will give you more clarity on when and if you can file a lawsuit against Lyft for your injuries, medical costs, and pain and suffering. 

A Lyft accident lawyer in Rhode Island from Gemma Law Firm may help you avoid having to sue the company by negotiating a fair level of compensation.