Marietta Lyft Accident Lawyer

Since its founding in 2012, Lyft has been a strong competitor in the taxi industry, with over 30% market share. While the company employs strict measures and safety standards for all vehicles and drivers, accidents are not uncommon. 

If you’ve been in a Lyft accident, you may have the legal right to sue for damages and claim compensation. Our skilled Marietta rideshare accident lawyer in Marietta can help you file a claim to get you compensated for your injuries and damages.  

Types of Damages and Injuries in a Lyft Accident

Victims of Lyft car accidents can be passengers, other motorists or pedestrians and they may suffer the following damages:

• Property damage: Car damage or any property that was damaged due to the accident
• Medical bills from injuries sustained in the crash
• Surgery 
• Physical therapy
• Medication 
• Lost wages from time off work while undergoing treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Disability benefits

You’re eligible to claim compensation for any costs you incurred as a result of the accident, whether economical or non-economical. While it may be challenging to quantify pain and suffering, a qualified Marietta Lyft accident lawyer can help you come up with a reasonable figure to help ease your pain.

If you lost a loved one in a Lyft accident, you can sue for damages under wrongful death. Damages that can be recovered under wrongful death include:

• Funeral costs
• Companionship loss
• Economic losses if the deceased was the family breadwinner

How Much Is My Marietta Lyft Accident Worth?

The amount you stand to be rewarded for your Lyft accident varies depending on the following factors:

• How severe your injuries are
• Current and future medical expenses associated with the accident
• Permanent disability
• Long-term care
• Psychological effects of the accident

According to Georgia laws, the rule of comparable liability applies, which means that victims who are responsible for causing the accident cannot claim full compensation for their injuries.

How Is Liability Determined in a Lyft Accident?

Georgia is a fault state, meaning that the party responsible for causing the accident is held liable for the victim’s injuries and damages. 

The company (Lyft) is held liable if the Lyft driver caused the accident while actively using the Lyft application and if other parties were injured in the accident.

The driver would be held liable if they caused the accident due to negligence and if the accident occurred before a Lyft passenger was picked up. Third parties such as other motorists would be held liable if they caused the accident. 

Compensation in Accident Caused By Lyft Driver

All drivers are required by law to have independent motor vehicle insurance in the event of an accident. The driver’s insurance company will pay for damages incurred if the driver was at fault and not using the Lyft app at the time of the accident. 

Lyft insurance coverage kicks in when the driver is logged in to the app. If the driver was on standby mode at the time of the accident, Lyft insurance covers $50,000 to $100,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.

However, if the passenger was already picked up at the time of the accident, Lyft insurance covers up to $1 million for the accident plus an additional $1 million for the driver.

Statute of Limitations for Lyft Accidents in Marietta

Georgia legal statutes state that victims of any motorist accident who wish to claim compensation for injuries and damages must file their suit within two years of the accident. 

Filing a suit two years after the accident will bar the victims from getting any form of compensation. 

What Should I Do After a Lyft Accident?

Accidents can be devastating, whether major or minor. Taking the right steps immediately after an accident can go a long way in helping you gather evidence and build a viable case. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Check for Other Injured Parties

The safety and sanctity of human life take precedence over everything. The first thing you ought to do after a crash is look out for your injuries. If you’re well enough to move around, find other victims and try to help them get to safety, whether that’s getting them out of the car or out of the road.

2. Call the Authorities

Call 911 and report the incident. Whenever an accident is reported, dispatch always sends out the police and emergency responders to the scene. It’s vital to give your account of the events to the police while the details are still fresh in your mind.

Internal bleeding is a common occurrence after an accident and it’s hard to detect on the scene. Emergency responders will administer primary care to injured victims and then take them to a hospital for further examination.

3. Take Pictures of the Accident Scene

While the authorities are on their way to the scene, you can document the scene by taking photos. These will serve as evidence to corroborate your police statement.

4. Gather Contact Information from Involved Parties

Collect contact information from all parties; the driver, other passengers, the other motorist, or pedestrian. Knowing how to contact all involved parties is essential in building a strong case. In addition, their testimonies serve as evidence of the accident.

The information you collect should include:

• Names and addresses
• Insurance details
• Driver’s license number
• License plate numbers

5. Look for Eyewitnesses

Ask around the scene for anyone who may have witnessed the accident. Their account of the events will help determine fault in the accident and help you claim damages from the at-fault party.

6. Hire a Lyft Accident Attorney in Marietta

With all the information and evidence at hand, you may choose to pursue the case on your own. However, an experienced Marietta Lyft accident attorney can help you gather more evidence and follow up on further leads to aid your case. 

It is not uncommon for witnesses to back down or for evidence to go missing after an accident. You may end up being blamed for the accident or getting a payout that may not cover your damages.

Consult an Experienced Lyft Accident Lawyer Today

Rideshare companies and their insurance counterparts are masters at avoiding liability in the event of an accident. It’s in the best interest of the said companies to downplay the victims’ damages or get out of paying altogether.

At John Foy & Associates, we understand how frustrating lawsuits can be for victims. Our experienced accident lawyers can help you gather evidence and claim the compensation you need to cover all your injuries. If you’ve been in a Lyft accident in Marietta, contact us today for a free case evaluation.