If you suffered an injury in a Lyft accident while riding as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation. However, the claims process can be confusing and stressful, especially when it’s unclear whose insurance applies or how to pursue the compensation you deserve. Below, we break down common causes of Lyft accidents, what to do after a crash, and how insurance coverage works in Virginia.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents?
Uber and Lyft drivers are not required to undergo any specialized driver training beyond having a valid driver’s license, a relatively clean driving record, and a vehicle that meets the companies’ standards. This means they face the same risks—and can make the same mistakes—as any other driver on the road. Common causes of Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: This is one of the leading causes of all motor vehicle crashes. Rideshare drivers may frequently glance at their phones to check the rideshare app or GPS, diverting attention from the road. Even a brief distraction on a busy road can lead to serious consequences involving other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists.
- Drowsy Driving: Many rideshare drivers work long hours, often driving for Lyft part-time after another job. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving contributed to at least 684 fatalities in 2021 alone.
- Aggressive Driving: Speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield are all examples of aggressive behavior that can cause Lyft crashes.
- Impaired Driving: If a rideshare driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their reaction times and judgment may be significantly impaired, making it harder to avoid a collision.
What Steps Should I Take After a Lyft Accident?
Knowing how to respond after a rideshare crash can help protect your health and your legal rights. If you’re involved in a Lyft or Uber accident as a passenger, consider the following steps:
- Check for Injuries: Once you’ve recovered from the initial shock, check yourself and others for injuries. Do not attempt to move anyone who may have suffered a neck or back injury unless necessary for safety.
- Call 911: Report the accident to local authorities. If there are injuries, request medical assistance. A police report will be created, which may become valuable evidence in your claim.
- Seek Prompt Medical Attention: Even if you don’t believe your injuries are severe, it’s wise to seek medical care. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal trauma, may not show symptoms immediately due to adrenaline. Delays in treatment can also be used against you in an insurance claim.
- Document the Scene: If you can do so safely, take photos of your injuries, the vehicles involved, skid marks, road conditions, and any relevant damage.
- Collect Witness Information: Ask any witnesses for their contact information and whether they are willing to provide a statement about what they saw.
- Report the Accident to Lyft: Use Lyft’s in-app tools or website to report the incident. This helps create a record and initiate the company’s internal claims process.
- Notify Your Own Insurance Company: You should notify your insurer of the crash, even if you weren’t driving. Stick to the basic facts and avoid admitting fault or speculating. Insurers may use anything you say to limit or deny your claim.
- Consult a Virginia Beach Lyft Accident Lawyer: A knowledgeable lawyer can help you understand your rights, determine liability, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Whose Insurance Pays for a Lyft Accident?
Liability for a Lyft accident depends largely on the driver’s status in the Lyft app at the time of the crash. Here’s how insurance coverage typically works:
- Driver Offline (Not Using the App): If the Lyft driver is not logged into the app, their personal auto insurance is the only applicable coverage.
- Driver Online, Waiting for a Ride Request: Lyft provides contingent liability coverage, which may offer up to $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage—but only if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply or is insufficient.
- Driver En Route or Transporting a Passenger: Once the driver accepts a ride request, Lyft’s primary commercial insurance applies. This includes up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage, which covers passengers injured in the crash.
This tiered insurance model makes it especially important to determine what the driver was doing at the time of the accident, as that directly affects which policy applies.
Virginia Beach Lyft Accident Lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC Represent Clients Injured in Rideshare Accidents
If you were hurt in a Lyft crash—whether as a passenger, pedestrian, or another motorist—Anchor Legal Group, PLLC is ready to help. Call 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Our Virginia Beach office proudly serves clients in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore, Virginia. Contact a Virginia Beach Lyft accident lawyer today!