Lyft Accident Attorney in Richmond, Kentucky

How a Lyft Accident Lawyer in Richmond, Kentucky can Help You

Our Richmond, Kentucky accident attorneys understand the common challenges of Lyft accident cases. We can go up against the representatives of Lyft’s corporate insurance policy or handle a lawsuit against a negligent Lyft driver while protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery.

Here’s how our Lyft accident lawyers can serve your case:

Investigate the Lyft Driver’s Liability

Every solid case needs proof. Our attorneys will gather evidence supporting your claim of the Lyft driver’s negligence. In other words, we will work to show that the driver’s carelessness was responsible for your injuries and damages, so the driver’s insurance will pay for your medical bills and any permanent injury caused.

Some of our evidence sources can include:

• Traffic camera footage showing the Lyft driver committing a traffic infraction or driving carelessly or recklessly
• Interviews conducted with witnesses who saw the accident and can testify to the Lyft driver’s negligent behavior
• A thorough inspection of the accident scene, including tire marks showing which vehicle was struck
• The police report filed by the responding officer
• Interpreting any pictures of the scene that were taken before the vehicles were moved

The accident report is important to a thorough investigation. In Kentucky, when a police officer writes the report, the vehicle the officers believes to be at fault is nearly always indicated as “Unit 1” on the paperwork. In addition to any evidence in the crash report, we will work to gather as much documentation as possible to demonstrate that the Lyft driver was responsible.

Explain Which Insurance Policy Should Cover Damages

Rideshare accidents are often more complex than other kinds of car accidents in Richmond, KY. Your claim may name the Lyft driver’s insurance company as responsible, or you may be able to file suit against the Lyft driver. The state of Kentucky also features “choice no-fault” insurance laws, adding more potential complications to your case.

Lyft’s coverage also features different insurance coverage levels, depending on the driver’s status. To determine your potential insurance coverage through Lyft, we will consider:

• Was the driver logged out of the Lyft app? If the driver was not waiting for a ride request, Lyft states that the driver’s own insurance coverage is responsible.
• Was the driver waiting for a Lyft request? If the driver had the Lyft app turned on but had no current requests, Lyft may claim that the driver’s personal insurance coverage is responsible for damages. However, the Lyft driver’s own insurance company may claim the driver was conducting commercial business, and the responsibility would fall to Lyft’s insurance policy.
• Had the driver accepted a ride request? If the driver was conducting a Lyft ride, the company’s third-party policy (liability coverage up to $1,000,000) would be in effect from when the driver accepted the ride request until the ride ended.

Navigating between these policies and the various insurance companies as they try to deflect responsibility can be confusing and exhausting if you don’t do this work every day. Our Lyft accident lawyer understands how to work with the insurance companies in Richmond, Kentucky.

Determine the Amount of Your Potential Compensation

Several forms of your costs and losses can be considered when determining how much your claim could be worth. The staff at the Morrin Law Office will calculate your damages by totaling the following:

• Medical expenses resulting from the accident, including your emergency room care, any expenses related to your recovery, physical therapy, and any medical expenses stemming from future complications
• Loss of wages and financial compensation stemming from your inability to work
• Any loss of future earnings if you suffer from some form of a physical disability that hinders your ability to earn as much as you did before the accident
• Permanent disability or disfigurement stemming from the accident, including (but not limited to) scarring or loss of a body part
• Pain and suffering

It’s important to remember that in Kentucky, you only have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim for damages, per Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 304.39-230. Personal injury cases such as these are complicated and can take quite a bit of time, so it is important to begin your case promptly. We have seen many cases where the injured individual had a very good claim and was owed a sizable amount of money for their injury but they waited to get a professional involved. Many times, the individual does something or fails to do something that allows the insurance company to deny their claim, such as not getting treatment immediately or failing to schedule appointments with specialists referred to by their primary care physician.

What You Should Do After an Accident Involving a Lyft Driver in Richmond, KY

In the event of an accident with a Lyft driver in Richmond, KY, there are several steps to take to protect your interests:

Call the Police

Even if you feel as though it is crystal clear who was at fault, call the police. The responding officer will file a report that can be valuable later when building a case against the driver or Lyft.

Go to the Hospital

Seek medical attention to tend to the injuries to you or anyone in your party. Some injuries do not manifest until hours or even several days later, so you may want to see a doctor even if you feel fine to make sure your adrenaline isn’t disguising the pain your body is in.

Document the Accident Scene

Once you get yourself and any persons involved in the accident to safety and away from oncoming traffic, take photos of the accident. Photograph both your vehicle and the Lyft driver’s vehicle from multiple angles. These photographs may be valuable in building your case. Take pictures of any visible injuries.

Gather Information

Get the Lyft driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Talk to witnesses at the scene, and ask them if they would be willing to provide their contact information should it be needed later. Note your exact location, including street signs, mile markers, and other features of your location. Make note of road conditions, weather, and the time of day. Every detail can potentially help.