Lyft has become a popular ride sharing service because it’s affordable and convenient. However, accidents happen and sometimes drivers get injured. While most car rides will not end up in a collision, even the smallest fender benders can cause serious injuries. That’s why it’s important to understand what goes into a Lyft car accident settlement if you are injured.
In the Event of a Lyft Accident, Who Is Liable for Compensation?
The answer depends on identifying the person who caused the accident, and whether you’re a passenger or driver. As long as you are not at fault, then someone else will pay for your injuries. So you could be a passenger in another car, and a Lyft vehicle hits the car you are riding in. Or you were driving and a Lyft vehicle collides with you.
Or you could be a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, and another driver, or even your Lyft driver causes the accident. Finally, you could be a Lyft driver and someone else ran into you. In all of these scenarios, you are not at fault, and there is likely upwards of $1 million in insurance coverage, even if your Lyft driver was at fault.
How Much Is an Average Lyft Accident Settlement in San Diego?
It’s very difficult to give an average settlement amount because each case is unique, and it is impossible to know each and every Lyft settlement. We can provide some insight on typical settlement amounts. Lyft accidents are very similar to normal car accident cases, with the main difference being the high policy limits of Lyft cases.
Typical limits for personal policies range from $15,000 to $100,000, with $25,000 or $50,000 being most common. If the Lyft vehicle involved in the accident has accepted a ride or is in the middle of the ride, there is a minimum of $1,000,000 in policy limits which is a lot more compared to personal policies.
Lyft settlements involving catastrophic injuries can range range between $150,000 to $ 1 million dollars. This is based on the severity of your injury and how long it takes you to heal. You can receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future care costs.
We obtained many settlements against Lyft for our clients, with some over $900,000.00.
According to a study conducted by the University of Chicago, the arrival of Uber and Lyft is correlated with a 2-3% increase in motor vehicle related fatalities. This is why they are forced to carry high limit policies.
How Do I Find Out The Value Of My Case?
There are many factors involved in deciding how much compensation you deserve for your injuries. These include:
- Your age and health
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether there are any long term effects
- The amount of money you have already spent on treatment
- The cost of future care
- Any financial losses incurred due to missed work or loss of income
- How the injuries affected your life
How Serious Are Your Injuries?
If you suffered a severe injury while riding in a Lyft car, you might be able to collect up to one million dollars in compensation. But such a large settlement does require significant injuries and pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life. Catastrophic injuries would include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cervical fusion
- Disk herniations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
- Permanent disability
How To Calculate Lyft Settlement Values
A car accident settlement is calculated differently depending on what type of case it is. In most cases, the amount of money paid out depends on how much the plaintiff suffered during the crash. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even future care costs.
The value of each category varies greatly, and there are several variables that affect the final payout. For example, the severity of injuries determines how much compensation you receive. If you suffer serious injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, brain trauma, or paralysis, you could potentially recover millions of dollars. On the other hand, minor injuries such as whiplash or bruises might only net $5,000-$20,000.
Other factors include fault, insurance coverage, and whether or not the defendant admitted liability. Fault refers to the degree of responsibility that both parties bear for causing the collision. If one party is found to be 50% responsible for the accident, he or she will pay half of the damages. Insurance companies usually offer less than full coverage, so you may end up paying for some of your losses yourself.
If the defendant admits fault, you will likely receive a larger settlement because there won’t be any reductions for the percentage of fault you were responsible for. However, if the driver denies wrongdoing, you must prove negligence in order to win. Negligence occurs when someone fails to act reasonably under the circumstances. You must show that the defendant acted unreasonably and caused your injury.
All of these factors go into calculating the value of a Lyft case.
Types of Special Damages You Can Expect in a Lyft’s Accident Settlement
Special damages are bills and losses you incur directly. They do not include pain, suffering, emotional distress. Instead it includes things like medical bills, lost wages, property damage, future care, loss of earning capacity, and even funeral expenses.
- Medical Bills. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’ll likely incur medical bills. Insurance companies typically cover most of those costs, but it’s still important to understand what exactly you’re responsible for paying out of pocket.
- Property Damage. The cost of repairing damaged vehicles is usually covered by auto insurance policies. However, if you’re involved in a collision where someone else’s vehicle causes significant damage to yours, you may be able to collect damages for the repairs.
- Lost Wages. You may be entitled to recover money for missed work days due to injuries sustained in a car accident. This includes both paid and unpaid time off.
- Loss of Earning Capacity. This is where your injuries were serious enough that you can no longer perform the same work duties you did prior to the accident. if this cases a loss of earning capacity, you are entitled to compensation.
How Can You Get a Lyft Accident Settlement?
If you are involved in a car accident involving a Lyft vehicle, it is important to know how to file a claim. This includes knowing what information you must gather and submit to the insurance carrier. We collect the following for our clients.
We obtain copies of all medical records related to your injuries. These include doctor’s notes, X-rays, MRI scans, physical therapy reports, prescriptions, etc. Next, we make a list of all of the expenses associated with your accident. We include everything from rental cars, transportation costs, and other expenses.
Once we gathered all of the necessary documentation and expense lists, we use this information to prepare a demand letter to the insurance company. A demand letter tells the insurance company that you intend to sue them unless they pay out the full amount of your settlement.
After receiving the demand letter, the insurance company will usually get 30 days to settle. If you do not reach a settlement agreement, we will likely file a lawsuit.
How long does a Lyft accident settlement take?
The average car accident case takes about three to six months to settle. During this period, the parties usually meet several times to discuss the terms of the settlement.
In some cases, it could take longer. If there is a dispute over liability, the driver’s insurance carrier might try to deny coverage. In those instances, the plaintiff’s attorney must prove that the defendant had no reasonable excuse for his negligence.