How to File an Accident Report with Lyft for Your Injuries

Lyft accidents are more common than ever now that the rideshare company has become as popular as it has. Every day, thousands of people use the service to commute to and from work, get around town, return home after a night out, and more. The sheer amount of people using the app means that the company must have an adequate system for filing accident and injury reports. There are numerous people who can be harmed in a Lyft accident, including the Lyft driver, any passengers or customers in the car, and fellow drivers on the road. Fortunately, Lyft’s insurance policy casts a wide net and covers all of these potential victims and many more. Our attorneys at Kenmore Law Group know that it can be confusing trying to figure out how to send a report to Lyft in the event of an accident, and it can be even more frustrating trying to receive compensation for your damages. We are here to help you get fair treatment from the company. Clients often contact us wondering how to proceed after a Lyft crash, asking us questions like:

• How do I report an injury during a ride to Lyft?
• How can I file an injury report with Lyft?
• How can I file an accident report with Lyft?

Lyft: How It Works

Lyft is a company that was created to provide fast transportation options to customers for a reduced price. Taxi companies often have high fares and take long to come to your destination, while public transportation is cheap but often unreliable and inconvenient. Lyft and other rideshare companies link customers with nearby drivers who will be there within minutes. There has also been a cultural shift that views these apps and companies as beneficial; as a result, conventional taxi services are taking a hit. With more users calling on Lyft than ever before, there is bound to be an increase in accidents.

A criticism of the company lies in its selection of its drivers and its insurance policy. There is a relatively lax background check conducted on all prospective drivers, which means that some of the hired workers can be more dangerous drivers than others. This directly effects the concept of insurance. Because of the increase in accidents from more and more Lyft vehicles on the road, it should be expected that the drivers and all involved parties are protected by some kind of insurance in the event of an accident. Initially, this was not the case.

Lyft and Insurance

At its inception, Lyft did not have insurance policies for its drivers or customers. This was done because the drivers were originally classified as independent contractors who did not expressly work for Lyft.  It banked on its drivers using their own personal auto insurance policies; however, this turned out to be a mistake, as personal auto insurance policies are not able to go into effect if commercial driving, or driving for money, is taking place. Sometime later, Lyft instituted an insurance policy that covered all involved parties in accidents.

This policy has a limit of $50,000 when the Lyft driver has the app turned on and is waiting for a customer. It is essentially an idle state. The limit rises to $1,000,000 for all parties when the driver accepts a ride, is en route to a customer, and transports the customer to his or her destination. Once the customer has been dropped off, the policy reverts back to $50,000.

In instances of underinsured or uninsured motorists, the insurance policy is also $1,000,000.

Lyft Accidents

More often than not, Lyft accidents occur because the driver is distracted in some way. He may be fiddling with his phone trying to reroute the GPS, navigating through options on the app, accepting a new fare, or else trying to troubleshoot a problem. Constantly taking your eyes off the road can lead to disastrous consequences, and it is especially dangerous to do so when there is another person in the car.

A Lyft driver may run a red light, fail to stop at a stop sign, fail to yield to oncoming traffic, speed, refuse to use turn signals, and commit other actions that are breaking the law. If you are involved in an accident because of these actions, you can file an accident report with the company.

Filing a Report

The Lyft app has a feature that allows you to alert the company to an accident. You will be able to file a report with the Critical Response Line, who will then direct a representative to contact you. During this brief phone meeting, a Lyft employee will take your information, both personal and insurance, and help you through the ordeal. If you have been injured, the individual may request paramedics on your behalf.

During this call, it is important that you do not do anything that may compromise your chance at compensation from a lawsuit. If you accept certain offerings, Lyft may be able to say that you waived your right to pursuing restitution.

Regardless, Lyft will make an internal report of the accident and will keep tabs on the driver and the situation. If the driver has a history of accidents, he may be terminated or locked out of the app until further notice. You will likely receive a refund at the very least.

Collecting Evidence

However, Lyft is a business, and like all businesses, it is focused on retaining profits. If it can avoid paying out a settlement, it will do everything possible to keep you from getting compensation. This is why it is important that you collect evidence to show that the accident happened and you were injured.

Firstly, you should take a screenshot of the app on your phone showing that you were picked up by the specific driver. You should keep any electronic receipts showing that the ride took place.

You should also take as many photos as you can of the scene of the accident, your injuries, the vehicle, and any eyewitnesses. If you have the ability to record witness statements, you should do that as well. The police report and bill from the paramedics can also prove that you were involved in a Lyft accident and that you suffered injuries.

Taking Legal Action
If Lyft does not pay out any compensation for your damages because it deemed you partially at fault for the accident or claims that your injuries are not as severe as you stated, you could pursue legal action. An expert attorney can help you get started with the lawsuit process, compiling your evidence for you and issuing a demand letter to the company. Keep in mind that you should not wait too long to file a claim – there is a 2 year statute of limitations on personal injury cases, and if you hesitate, you may not be able to earn any restitution.

By filing a lawsuit, you may be able to receive various types of compensation, including:

• Medical Expenses (surgery, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, and more, as well as future medical bills)
• Lost Wages (including missed income from future days of work that will be missed because of your injuries, recovery time, or other medical treatments)
• Property Damage (reimbursement or replacement of any personal items can be covered)
• Pain and Suffering (emotional anguish, PTSD, fear, psychological trauma, anxiety, and more)
• Punitive Damages (additional monetary compensation that punishes the defendant, but these damages are difficult to earn; only an accomplished lawyer will be able to do so)

We do not recommend trying to file a lawsuit by yourself or without proper legal counsel. You may not have the time, energy, money, or skill to adequately issue a claim and work with insurance agents. You will find yourself spending a lot of time negotiating, but if you do not have a great command of law and similar cases, you may be at a loss. This is why we recommend pursuing representation from an attorney.

Kenmore’s Role
Our lawyers at Kenmore Law Group promise to help you file an accident report with Lyft, and if need be, go to court to bring you the compensation you deserve. We know it can be confusing to try and wrestle compensation out of the company, but with our assistance, you will not have to worry. Our aggressive lawyers promise to do everything we can to bring you a settlement you deserve and compensation that you are satisfied with.

Reach out to our law firm today for a free consultation with an expert attorney. We encourage you to ask questions about anything Lyft related and we will gladly answer them. You should not embark on legal action without ample knowledge of the law and what you may be up for in a lawsuit. Further, if you hire us to represent you, you will receive our zero fee guarantee. This promises that you will never have to pay us any out of pocket expenses for our services. We will only get paid if we win your case, and the money will be taken out of the settlement we earn for you. Therefore, Lyft will cover your legal bills. If we lose, you will not owe us anything at all. We do this to make sure your financial standing remains untarnished.

Contact Kenmore Law Group today for help in filing an injury report with Lyft.