Our Dedicated Lyft Accident Lawyer Fights for You
To Obtain a Fair Settlement, You Need a Lyft® Accident Lawyer by Your Side
Being a passenger in a car accident can be a traumatic and frightening experience. Not only are you dealing with shock, but you may also have experienced a serious injury and had to miss work.
Along with injuries and missed time at work come financial expenses – especially if you don’t have health insurance or your plan requires a high deductible. Lost time at work can mean days or even months without a regular salary.
If you have been in a Lyft car accident, you may be wondering how you can recover financially and physically. You need financial assistance to get you through until you are fully recovered and able to return to work. You’re seeking a reasonable settlement to cover the cost of your injuries and lost salary. You need a Lyft accident lawyer in Houston to help you.
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we have a team of dedicated and experienced lawyers who will work to understand the facts of your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and even take your case to trial if necessary.
We offer free consultations to people who have been involved in a Lyft car accident and can quickly determine whether you have a Lyft accident lawsuit. Call us today at 713-973-8888 or toll-free 1-800-444-5000..
What Should You Do After a Lyft Car Accident?
Stay Calm, Take Care of Your Injuries, and Contact Our Lyft Accident Lawyer in Houston
The time after a car accident can be nerve-racking and stressful. Not only is your adrenaline sky-high, but you may have experienced an injury requiring a visit to the hospital. It’s important to stay as calm as possible and follow these steps if you are involved in a Lyft car accident.
Check to See if Anyone Is Injured (Including Yourself)
First, check your surroundings and determine whether you or anyone else involved in the crash has been seriously injured. If injuries have been sustained, try to mitigate the damage by performing first aid.
Contact the Police and Notify Lyft of the Accident
Call 911 for the police and an ambulance. The police will come to the scene of the accident and investigate to determine the cause of the crash. They may ask questions of all individuals involved in the crash.
It’s important to follow the instructions of the police and get a copy of the police report. The police report will be necessary if you need to file a Lyft accident lawsuit.
It’s also important to notify Lyft that an accident has occurred. You may do so through their app. If Lyft is not notified, they may deny any claim for damages later on.
Collect and Document Information Related to the Lyft Accident
Get the names and personal information of all people involved in the accident. Take pictures and record videos showing the damage to the vehicles. Get the vehicle information number (VIN) and license plate number of each car involved in the accident. Ask for the insurance details of all drivers.
If there are any witnesses or bystanders who saw the accident occur, ask for their names and contact information. They may be helpful if you decide to file a lawsuit and need witness testimony of the circumstances of your accident.
Avoid Discussions About the Cause of the Accident in a Lyft
Don’t get into detailed discussions with drivers involved in the accident. Emotions can run high, and people can be very upset after a car accident. They may seek to blame one another, and what starts as a discussion can quickly escalate into a passionate argument requiring intervention.
See Your Doctor as Soon as Possible
Even if you haven’t sustained visible injuries, you may have internal injuries and not yet realize it. Increased adrenaline after a car accident can limit pain normally caused by these injuries, and you may not truly feel the effects until several hours after the incident occurs.
See your doctor as soon as possible. They will perform X-rays and check for signs of internal injury, including whiplash. The effects of whiplash can be very serious, especially if you already have a pre-existing back or neck injury. Recovery can take weeks or months.
Contact Our Lawyer for Lyft Accidents
Our lawyer can examine the details of your case and determine whether you have a lawsuit or are entitled to financial relief. Our experienced car accident lawyer can tell you if you should file a Lyft accident lawsuit.
Having a skilled Houston Lyft accident lawyer from our team on your side can be the difference between a minimal or no settlement and receiving full compensation.
Call 713-973-8888 for a free consultation with a Lyft accident lawyer in Houston at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law.
Can You Sue Lyft After an Accident?
Suing Lyft after a car accident generally depends on state jurisdictional laws. Accident insurance and liability laws vary widely from one place to another.
Some states have contributory negligence laws, while others follow a comparative negligence system. In addition, many states are still trying to figure out how to handle legal claims against rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft.
The state of Texas has a comparative negligence system. Under this structure, parties define the percentage of fault attributed to each individual.
For example, if you are in a car accident as a driver, you may be found to be 30% at fault, while the other driver is 70% at fault. The total amount of damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, is thus reduced by 30%.
Another potential hindrance of suing Lyft is that drivers are hired as independent contractors, not employees. If they were hired as employees, the doctrine of respondeat superior would apply. Under this doctrine, courts hold liable employers whose employees are found to have engaged in a tort through negligence while engaged in an act of employment.
Since Lyft drivers are not employees, the doctrine of respondeat superior does not apply. However, you may still be able to sue Lyft directly in certain circumstances.
For example, Lyft is required to perform background checks prior to hiring drivers as independent contractors. They must also regularly inspect the vehicles that their drivers use. If it can be proven that either one of these did not occur, a lawsuit may be filed directly against Lyft.
Other circumstances may also apply. It is important for a Lyft accident lawyer in Houston to review the facts of your case to determine whether you have a case directly against Lyft.
Can You Sue a Lyft Driver for an Accident?
In many cases, it is easier to sue a Lyft driver directly after an accident. Rideshare drivers are responsible for negligence and intentional torts. They may be held liable if it can be proven that they acted in a manner that was not reasonably prudent or that showed wanton disregard for human life.
Can you sue a Lyft driver for an accident? It’s best to check with a trained accident lawyer to determine the best route to pursue damages from a Lyft car accident.
When Can You Sue Lyft After an Accident as a Passenger?
You May Need to Sue the Lyft Driver, Not Lyft.
It may be possible to sue Lyft if you were a passenger in the vehicle and a Lyft driver was transporting you. However, you are more likely to succeed if you sue the Lyft driver.
To meet the requirements to sue after you are in an accident as a passenger, you will need to prove two specific facts:
The Driver Breached Their Duty of Care
If the driver acts recklessly or with negligence, it may be possible to prove that they breached their duty of care.
All drivers owe passengers, other motorists, and everyone else on the road a duty of care. If they do something to breach this duty of care, such as speed, drive recklessly, or drive while distracted or intoxicated, they have breached their duty of care to the passenger and other motorists on the road.
Negligent Acts by the Driver Caused Injuries or Damages
If the negligent acts performed by the Lyft driver directly caused injuries to their passenger, it might be possible to sue Lyft or the Lyft driver. To determine whether this is the case, speak with a lawyer for Lyft accidents in Houston.
FAQs
Common Client Questions About Lyft Accidents
If the crash was caused by the negligence or recklessness of another driver, you might need to sue them to recover any damages. It might not be possible to sue Lyft or your Lyft driver if they were not at fault for the accident.
Examples of accidents that occur due to the acts of another driver include running a red light, driving while intoxicated, or driving recklessly.
If it can be proven that your Lyft driver was not responsible for the accident, any damages may need to be pursued through the insurance company of the driver at fault. A car accident lawyer in Houston can help to determine the facts of your case.
Whether you can sue Lyft after an accident depends on the facts and circumstances of your case. It is best to speak with a lawyer for Lyft accidents to determine the steps you need to take to recover any monetary damages.
If your Lyft driver acted negligently while you were a passenger in their vehicle, it might be possible to sue them directly. It is also possible to sue a Lyft driver if they caused a vehicle crash involving your personal vehicle or if their car caused property damage when involved in an accident.
The state of Texas generally provides a two-year statute of limitations beginning from the date of the injury. *However, always speak directly to an attorney for the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claim(s). It is best to file a lawsuit as soon as possible after an accident occurs. Important facts in the case are less likely to be forgotten if a lawsuit is brought soon after an accident.
Why Choose Us?
Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is dedicated to helping people who have sustained injuries as the result of a car accident. Our team is highly experienced in handling car accident claims and we have a strong record of winning. We can work with you to determine the facts of your case.
Call 713-973-8888 or toll-free 1-800-444-5000 to schedule a free consultation with Terry Bryant today.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
