Louisiana Lyft Accident Lawyers

Lyft is known throughout the United States and Canada for its bright pink moustache logo and easy-going, friendly approach to rideshares. Since the company was founded in 2012, it’s grown to become the second-largest ridesharing platform in the U.S., with only Uber making more rides year-over-year.

Since ridesharing, also known as mobility-as-a-service, was introduced in the early 2010s, over 11 billion trips have been made on the various services. As of 2019, Lyft had 2 million drivers giving rides to around 30 million riders, allowing those people to travel and commute more easily than ever before.

Most Lyft drivers take their jobs seriously, and ensure the safety of their passengers by driving safely and following local driving laws. However, this isn’t always the case—Lyft has no specific training program or licensing required to become a driver, even though their drivers are working with the public.

If a Lyft driver erred while driving and caused a traffic accident where you were injured, you can rightly seek compensation. A Louisiana Lyft accident lawyer from Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys can determine what compensation you’re entitled to by reviewing your case. Call us at 888.501.7888 for a free consultation about your Lyft accident injury.

Are Lyft Accidents More Likely than Car Accidents?

Of course, the fact that so many rides are taken on ridesharing services like Lyft means that there are bound to be Lyft accidents, crashes, and other dangers associated with the service. Since 2011, rideshare services as a whole have accounted for a 3% increase in car accident fatalities, according to research. Many rideshare companies dispute this figure, and it’s true that the cause of this increase isn’t completely clear.

However, the following are true of Lyft and other ridesharing services:

• Many Lyft drivers work in one or more additional jobs, which makes them at greater risk for driver fatigue. Study after study has shown that driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk.
• Lyft drivers rely on the Lyft app for driving directions, tracking their time, and accepting and picking up fares. Using their smartphone while driving can lead Lyft drivers to drive distracted, which in turns increases the risk for car accidents.
• Like any other driver, Lyft drivers can cause accidents through negligence. Negligent driving behaviors include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, bad vehicle maintenance, speeding, driving aggressively, and others.

How Lyft Accidents Are Covered by Insurance

Louisiana is what’s known as a fault state for insurance and accident purposes. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you must file a claim with the liable party’s insurance. When you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, your claim process can be complicated due to the fact that Lyft drivers are hired as independent contractors instead of employees.

Lyft doesn’t provide insurance to cover its drivers 24/7. Instead, Lyft drivers are only covered by Lyft’s insurance in specific instances:

• When the driver is en route to pick up a passenger
• When the driver is waiting for a ride request with their app on
• When the driver is actively driving a Lyft passenger to their destination

If the driver isn’t working for Lyft, Lyft’s insurance no longer applies. Of course, the driver’s personal insurance will still cover their liability in case of an accident, just like any other car accident.

Requirements of Becoming a Lyft Driver

In order to drive a Lyft in Louisiana, drivers must meet a number of criteria:

• Drivers must hold a valid driver’s license
• Drivers must be 25 years old or older
• Drivers must pass a driver screening, which includes a review of driving history and a background check
• Drivers must own a smartphone for the Lyft Driver app
• Drivers must have their own vehicle insurance

In addition, drivers’ cars need to meet the following restrictions:

• Vehicles must be 2011 or newer
• Vehicles must have 4 doors and 5–8 seats
• Vehicles must not be taxis or stretch limousines
• Vehicles must not be titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt, or an equivalent classification

Time Limitations of Driving for Lyft

Drivers are also required by Lyft to take full, uninterrupted 6-hour breaks for every 12 hours they’re in driver mode, whether or not those hours are consecutive. Some localities have further limitations, but Louisiana drivers don’t.

What to Do After a Lyft Accident

Lyft has specific protocols in place if you’re inside the Lyft vehicle during an accident. Regardless of whether you’re in the Lyft or in another vehicle during the Lyft accident, however, you should always do the following:

1. Call 911. First responders will be able to treat whatever injuries you or your passengers have sustained, and police will take your statement and document the scene. Make sure to get examined by a medical professional, since some injuries won’t present symptoms until hours or even days after your accident. And make sure to get a copy of the police report—this will be a crucial piece of evidence in your personal injury claim.
2. Report the accident to Lyft so they can cooperate with law enforcement and your lawyer.
3. Call an experienced Lyft accident injury lawyer for a consultation as soon as you can. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys provide free case evaluations for Lyft crashes, and we’ll start on your case right away.

Why You Need a Capable Lyft Accident Injury Lawyer

After you’ve been in a ridesharing accident, you might be called by the other driver’s own insurance, as well as by Lyft’s insurance provider. These companies might offer you an amount to settle your case. However, insurance companies are not acting in your interest, but are instead trying to settle your case as quickly and as cheaply as possible.

The experienced rideshare accident lawyers with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys know that you need more than the minimum to recover from your injuries. After an accident involving a Lyft or other rideshare vehicle, you could be in pain, dealing with medical bills and missed work, or worse. Get in touch with a Louisiana Lyft accident lawyer to maximize your claim so you can heal from your injuries and move on with your life.

Our passionate team of personal injury lawyers are experienced negotiators and litigators, so we can take your case from the initial phase of discovery all the way to court. We’ve helped our fellow Louisianians recover $3 Billion over our years of law practice, and we can help you.

If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, you deserve more than the minimum for your injuries. Call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys at 888.501.7888 today for a free consultation. An experienced lawyer will listen to the facts of your case and help you figure out your next steps. Call us today to start the process of healing.