A Lyft accident can leave you facing painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about who is responsible for paying your damages. Rideshare crashes often involve multiple insurance policies and complex liability questions, which can make it difficult for victims to recover the compensation they deserve.
At Chaz Roberts Law, our personal injury lawyers understand the unique challenges involved in Lyft accident claims. Lafayette residents can trust our firm to guide you through the legal process, deal directly with insurance companies, and fight to protect your rights. If you were hurt in a rideshare crash, we are ready to help you pursue full and fair compensation.
Why Choose Our Lafayette Lyft Accident Attorneys?
Choosing the right attorney after an auto accident involving a Lyft can make a significant difference in your recovery. Our firm focuses on personal injury law and understands how to handle complex insurance disputes involving rideshare companies.
When you work with Chaz Roberts Law, you can expect:
- Personalized attention to your case
- Thorough investigation of the accident
- Clear communication at every stage
- Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies
- No upfront fees and no payment unless we recover compensation
Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident in Lafayette
What you do after a rideshare accident can directly affect your ability to file a successful personal injury claim. If you are physically able, consider taking the following steps:
- Call 911 and request medical assistance: Your first priority should always be safety. Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical help if anyone is injured. Prompt medical attention not only protects your health but also creates official documentation of your injuries.
- Report the accident to law enforcement: Ask that a police officer come to the scene and prepare an accident report. This report can serve as critical evidence in your case by documenting the parties involved, statements from drivers and witnesses, and the officer’s initial assessment of fault.
- Seek medical care as soon as possible: Even if you do not believe you are seriously hurt, schedule a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage, may not show symptoms right away. Delaying treatment can harm both your recovery and your claim.
- Document the scene with photos and videos: If it is safe to do so, use your phone to take pictures and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and visible injuries. Visual evidence can be extremely valuable when reconstructing how the accident occurred.
- Collect contact and insurance information from all drivers involved: Obtain the names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details of everyone involved in the crash. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well.
- Report the crash through the Lyft app: Lyft requires accidents to be reported through its platform. Use the app to submit a report as soon as possible. This step helps initiate the insurance process tied to the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the collision.
- Contact a Lyft Accident Attorney: Before giving recorded statements to insurance companies or accepting any settlement offer, speak with an experienced attorney. A lawyer can evaluate your case, identify all available insurance coverage, and protect you from tactics designed to minimize your compensation.
Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to see a doctor. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time. Taking these steps can strengthen your claim and improve your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.
The Three Insurance Periods in a Lyft Accident and Who Pays
Lyft accidents are complicated because coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. There are three main insurance periods:
- Period 1: The driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride request. Lyft provides limited liability coverage during this time.
- Period 2: The driver has accepted a ride and is on the way to pick up a passenger. Lyft typically provides up to $1 million in liability coverage.
- Period 3: The passenger is in the vehicle until drop off. Lyft’s $1 million liability policy generally applies.
Determining which period applies is critical to identifying available coverage. An experienced Lyft accident lawyer will understand how to investigate these details and hold the proper party accountable.
How Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” $100,000 Rule Could Affect Your Lyft Claim
Louisiana follows a “No Pay, No Play” rule that can limit recovery for certain uninsured drivers. Under this law, if you were driving without valid auto insurance at the time of the crash, you may be barred from recovering the first $25,000 in property damages and the first $15,000 in bodily injury damages.
In some cases, the restriction can reach up to $100,000 depending on the circumstances. However, there are exceptions. For example, if you were a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, this rule generally does not apply to you. Working with a car accident lawyer can help you determine what applies to your specific accident and leverage that to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Compensation May Be Available to Lyft Accident Victims in Lafayette?
If you were injured in a rideshare crash, you may be entitled to various types of compensation. Every case is unique, but damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
In severe cases, compensation may also be available for long term disability or permanent impairment. The attorneys at Chaz Roberts Law can evaluate every aspect of your case to pursue full recovery for your losses.
How Louisiana’s Modified Comparative Fault Law Affects Lyft Accident Claims
Louisiana follows a modified comparative fault system. This means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident.
For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible for the crash, your total compensation would be reduced by 20%. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured victims to reduce payouts. A Lyft accident lawyer from Chaz Roberts Law can push back against unfair fault allegations and protect your right to compensation.
What Must Be Proven to Recover Compensation in a Louisiana Lyft Accident Case
To succeed in a Lyft accident claim, certain legal elements must be established:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- The breach caused the accident
- You suffered damages as a result
In a rideshare accident, the responsible party may be the Lyft driver, another motorist, or potentially a third party. Proving negligence requires evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and expert testimony. Our firm conducts detailed investigations to build strong cases for our clients.
Statute of Limitations for Lyft Accident Claims in Lafayette
In Louisiana, personal injury claims are generally subject to a one-year statute of limitations. This means you typically have one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation. Because rideshare cases can involve multiple insurers and layers of legal obstacles, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the crash. Reach out to Chaz Roberts Law at (337) 504-3202 to speak with one of our rideshare accident attorneys.
Request a Consultation with a Lafayette Lyft Accident Lawyer
The team at Chaz Roberts Law is prepared to help you understand your rights and explore your options. We take the time to listen to your story, explain how Louisiana law applies to your situation, and develop a strategy tailored to your needs. With our experience in rideshare accident cases, we know how to handle insurance companies and pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
When you work with our firm, we can assist you by:
- Investigating the accident and gathering critical evidence
- Determining which insurance policies apply to your case
- Communicating directly with Lyft and insurance representatives
- Calculating the full value of your damages, including future losses
- Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary to protect your rights
Our goal is to remove the legal burden from your shoulders so you can focus on healing. We handle Lyft accident claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact us today at (337) 504-3202 to schedule your free, confidential consultation. Let a dedicated Lyft accident lawyer stand by your side and fight for the financial recovery you need to move forward with your life.
