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Morrin Law Office

Lyft Accident Attorney in Lexington, Kentucky

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Lyft or rideshare accident in Lexington, Kentucky, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may qualify for a payout to cover your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
A Lyft accident attorney in Lexington, Kentucky from the Morrin Law Office is ready to help you determine the value of your case. If you were hurt in an accident involving a Lyft driver then you likely qualify for a 100% free case evaluation that comes with no obligation. We can answer any questions you may have about Kentucky insurance laws, how to file a claim, what your next steps should be, explain exactly how we can add value to your recovery and your bank account, and more. A Kentucky accident attorney can get started on your case today.

How Can a Lexington, Kentucky Lyft Attorney Help My Case?

Car accidents are complicated. Add in the Lyft element, and things can get even more confusing. Lyft and other rideshare companies have specific insurance policies in place to cover damages in the event of a crash, but when Lyft’s coverage kicks in to cover damages is often a complicated question.

The insurance companies themselves often try to avoid paying a legitimate claim. Their strategies usually consist of deny, delay, and diminish. Sometimes even your own auto insurance carrier will try to avoid compensating you. Our rideshare accident lawyer in Lexington can guide you through this process and handle your case professionally so the insurance company has no excuse to deny your claim or underpay on your claim.

Some of these details include:

Conduct a Thorough Investigation

We will investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident. Your personal injury attorney will interview witnesses, obtain any available traffic camera footage, video surveillance footage from other sources, information from the Lyft app at the time just before your accident, and investigate the Lyft driver’s history.

Calculate Your Damages

Our attorney can explain all forms of recoverable damages in your case. You could be able to recover many or all forms of losses that resulted from the crash, including:

  • Medical expenses, such as for medications, emergency room care, surgeries, hospitalization, physical therapy, and more
  • Lost wages, reflecting paychecks you couldn’t earn due to your injuries
  • Reduced earning capacity, if you will be expected to earn less at your job in the future
  • Pain and suffering, for your physical pain and emotional hardships
  • Permanent symptoms from injuries sustained in your rideshare accident

You could be eligible to seek damages beyond those listed here.

Negotiate on Your Behalf

Negotiating with insurance carriers, Lyft representatives, and other personnel can be very stressful. You will likely be frustrated after being the victim of an accident. Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf to allow you to focus on your recovery.

What are Common Causes of Lyft Accidents?

Lyft and other rideshare drivers are held to the same degree of responsibility for safety as any other driver. However, these drivers sometimes ignore road safety laws as they try to pack more jobs into their shift.

Common causes of Lyft accidents include:

Speeding

Going faster than posted speed limits always increases the likelihood of accidents. Lyft drivers may speed to get more passengers to make more money in a shorter period.

Distracted Driving

Lyft and other rideshare drivers often multitask while driving. They may check the rideshare app or text on their phones. All these activities distract them while driving, increasing the possibility of an accident.

Driving While Intoxicated

Just because someone is driving professionally for Lyft doesn’t mean they are immune from the temptations of alcohol or other substances. Driving while under the influence drastically reduces reaction time, significantly increasing the possibility of an accident.

Driving While Fatigued

When anyone drives for long periods, they become fatigued—and Lyft drivers may work long shifts without a break. When a driver is tired, their reaction time can be severely affected.

Lack of Experience

Lyft does not give its drivers any professional driving training. Like other drivers you may encounter, once they pass a state road test, they are not required to update their driving skills.

Violating Traffic Laws

Lyft drivers may drive recklessly, ignore stop signs, run red lights, or break any number of traffic laws.

Common Kinds of Lyft Accident Injuries

Like any driver, Lyft drivers may cause a wide variety of injuries when they are involved in an accident. Some potential injuries you could face after a Lyft accident include:

  • Neck injury
  • Back injury
  • Whiplash
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Burns
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Broken bones
  • Shoulder injury

Whose Insurance Covers Lyft Accidents?

Kentucky is a “no-fault” driving state. You may start by filing a claim with your own insurance unless you opted out of no-fault coverage. However, there are circumstances that could allow you to seek coverage through Lyft’s insurance or the Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance policy. You may even be able to file a lawsuit.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Kentucky’s laws state no-fault insurance benefits cover at least $10,000 of your medical bills, loss of wages, and other financial costs made necessary by the Lyft accident. If the other driver was at fault or if your Lyft driver caused the accident then you will be able to file a claim against their insurance for your damages above and beyond the $10,000 no-fault insurance benefits.

Additionally, because Lyft has specific insurance guidelines based on the actions of its drivers, it’s not always clear what your legal options are in rideshare accident cases. To find out what your options are, consult with the right dedicated Lyft accident lawyer in Lexington, Kentucky.

How Often Do Lyft Accidents Occur?

According to a study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, there has been an increase in traffic deaths since rideshares have risen in popularity.

These studies show that since 2011, traffic deaths have risen by 3 percent. That rise equals around 1,000 additional fatal accidents a year. Researchers came to this conclusion by looking at traffic data in bigger cities where rideshares were extremely popular.

Lyft Must Register Drivers With the State in Kentucky

In Kentucky, the state takes certain steps to regulate rideshare services. Both Uber and Lyft must register their drivers and pay a yearly fee in order to operate in the state, according to Louisville Business First.

Drivers must also submit a background check and carry insurance coverage, among following other safety regulations.

What Should I Do if I’m Involved in a Lyft Accident?

If you are involved in a Lyft car accident, take the following precautions:

Get to Safety

If everyone involved in the accident can safely move without making any injuries worse, get to safety. Move the damaged vehicles out of the way of incoming traffic. Turn on hazard lights to let other cars know they are approaching an accident scene.

Call 911

Call the police and emergency vehicles. Even if no one appears to be injured, always seek medical help after an accident. Even minor symptoms, such as a slight ache or dizziness, can indicate a larger problem that may present itself later after the shock has worn off.

Document the Accident

Using your phone, take pictures from all angles of both vehicles. Take pictures of any injuries, and document your location and time of day. Take pictures of nearby landmarks, mile markers, and more. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.

Contact a Lyft Lexington Accident Attorney’s Team Today

The Morrin Law Office can represent you in your quest for compensation after you have been injured in a Lyft accident. Our Lexington personal injury attorney can represent you in every step of your case, maximizing your recovery while helping you avoid litigation. We can negotiate with the Lyft driver’s attorneys and insurance representatives. We can also represent you in court if your case goes to trial.

We can take the burden of seeking justice off your shoulders and allow you to concentrate on your recovery. We are glad to explain exactly how we add value to your claim, health, and life. Call us at (859) 358-0300 today to schedule your case evaluation.