Personal Injury Lawyer
The Lyft rideshare service can be a convenient way for you to get around town for those who find themselves without a vehicle. The availability is usually widespread and you can catch a ride for a per-mile fee within minutes. However, if you should become involved in an accident with a Lyft vehicle, the question of liability and who pays for your injuries and property damage can be a puzzling one. Understanding Lyft’s liability insurance policies may help you navigate any lawsuit you choose to file.
1. Lyft Coverage Changes Often
Lyft tends to change its liability coverage often, which can cause confusion for you as the injured party. For example, the certificate of insurance on the company’s website changed in March of 2020, dropping its uninsured motorist coverage for Lyft drivers in Florida. This means that if you are a driver of a Lyft and get involved in an accident with a driver that has little to no coverage, you may be on the hook for your medical costs and property damage, especially if there were no passengers in your car at the time.
2. Passengers Remain Covered
If you were a passenger in a Lyft vehicle during the time of the accident and the driver was signed into the rideshare app, then you are likely covered under Lyft’s insurance if the operator of the vehicle caused the wreck. The liability coverage caps at $1,000,000, but you may have to prove that the driver was negligent.
3. Insurance Companies May Differ
Because Lyft is available in a variety of locations across the country, the rideshare service uses a variety of different insurance companies to cover its liability. Depending on your locale, you may correspond with State Farm, Progressive or Greenwich Insurance as you attempt to collect compensation for your injuries. You may want to keep in mind that each of these companies has its own policies and limitations, so you may want to review those before you file a claim.
4. Deductibles May Apply
If your vehicle was badly damaged in an accident with a Lyft driver who was on duty at the time of the incident, you still may have to pay several thousand dollars out of pocket for the company’s deductible. The cap is currently $2,500, which may only add to your financial woes after the accident.
Navigating the rules and regulations of Lyft’s liability coverage can be a daunting task, but you do not have to endure it alone. Contact a car accident attorney, like David & Philpot, P.L., to learn more.
