You can sue Lyft after an accident for your injuries. However, the process isn’t always straightforward. Lyft has many protective measures in place to distance itself from its drivers. If you get caught in one of the company’s loopholes, you may lose the right to hold them accountable for your losses.
Our Lyft accident lawyers in Indiana can help you investigate the negligence that led to your recent Lyft accident. Our involvement in your case may make it easier for you to gather the evidence you need to hold this rideshare giant accountable for your losses.
When Can You Sue Lyft for a Rideshare Accident?
Indiana car accident lawyers can help you sue Lyft when you can prove the company and those people under its umbrella owed you a duty of care. You need concrete evidence to make your case, as Indiana requires you to meet or exceed its duty of care to move your case forward.
Some specific incidents that may fast-track your lawsuit may include the following:
When an On-Duty Driver Puts You In Danger
Lyft can protect its employees from the consequences of their actions on the road. If you get into a crash with someone who is on the clock with Lyft and under corporate protection, you may have the right to sue the company for your desired damages.
Personal injury lawyers in Indiana can help you determine whether the driver responsible for your accident works as a Lyft employee or an independent contractor.
When Lyft’s Insurance Doesn’t Fully Address Your Losses
Lyft offers some degree of insurance to its on-duty rideshare drivers. Passengers and other accident victims can benefit from this coverage immediately following an accident. In fact, Lyft may send insurance representatives to the scene of your crash to immediately negotiate for the support you deserve.
You are not obligated to give these representatives a statement about your accident, especially not without a lawyer present. Similarly, you’re not obligated to accept the first settlement offer Lyft’s insurance company makes you. Most of the time, these offers will vastly underestimate the value of your losses and simultaneously rob you of your right to civil action.
You can work with an Indiana Lyft accident attorney to negotiate with an insurance company for the support you deserve. If a provider continues to minimize your losses, you can explore your right to a personal injury lawsuit.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
When Can’t You Sue Lyft for a Rideshare Accident?
Lyft prefers to work with independent contractors. Why? Because the company does not have to take legal responsibility for the behavior of its independent contractors. Instead, independent contractors view Lyft as a client. These contractors assume legal responsibility for their vehicles, insurance, and behavior while on the road.
This doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you get into an accident with one of Lyft’s independent contractors. However, you won’t be able to sue the corporation. You can instead open a civil case against the negligent driver that caused your accident.
How to File a Lawsuit Against Lyft
If circumstances align for you to hold Lyft liable for your losses, you can ask an Indiana Lyft accident lawyer to begin an investigation into your losses. You need evidence to establish the foundation of your case before you submit it for judicial consideration. The evidence you can use to make your case may include the following:
- Video footage of your accident
- Photos from before and after your accident
- Statements from witnesses
- Electronic data from the Lyft app
- Additional electronic data relevant to your case
- Physical debris
- Environmental damage
- Expert witness testimonies
Once you have all of the data relevant to your accident available, you can estimate the value of your desired settlement. We can then submit our findings and move your case forward. You may later have the right to negotiate for a settlement or take Lyft and its representatives to trial.
When to Contact an Indiana Lyft Accident Lawyer
If you want to sue Lyft after an accident for your injuries, make sure you take action before your statute of limitations expires. Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4(a)(1) gives you no more than two years to take legal action against the corporation. There may even be some exceptions applicable in your case that shorten your deadline, depending on your circumstances.
It’s with that deadline in mind that we encourage you to contact a lawyer as soon as you can after a crash. Our team can often join you at the scene of a crash to prevent insurance claims adjusters and corporate representatives from pressuring you into accepting a settlement.
Remember, your first Lyft accident case evaluation comes free of charge. Our attorneys work on contingency for your benefit. This means you don’t have to pay for the representation we offer – we only get paid when we win your case.
Don’t Let Corporations Deny You the Right to Recover From a Rideshare Accident
You do have the right to sue Lyft for your injuries after an accident, but only under certain circumstances. If you get into an accident with an independent contractor, or if Lyft makes counter-accusations of shared fault, your right to compensation may be at risk.
Fortunately, there’s good news for anyone pursuing a lawsuit. You can work with an Indiana Lyft accident attorney to get all of the data you need to build a case against the corporation. Our team can go on to represent your best interests in conversations with insurance companies and corporate representatives. You can book a free rideshare case consultation to learn more.
