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At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, our Bessemer City Lyft accident lawyers represent people injured in rideshare crashes and other motor vehicle collisions throughout North Carolina. Our firm has served more than 10,000 clients and recovered more than $100 million for the people we represent.
Rideshare claims can involve insurance coverage tied to the driver’s app status, evidence held by the rideshare company, and allegations of fault from several drivers or insurers. We investigate those issues, explain your legal options, and pursue compensation based on the injuries and losses you have experienced.
We offer free case evaluations and are available 24/7. Contact us Law to speak with a Bessemer City rideshare accident lawyer about your claim.
How Lyft Accident Claims Differ From Other Car Accident Claims
A Lyft collision is still a motor vehicle accident, but the insurance analysis may differ from that of a crash involving two personal vehicles. North Carolina law requires transportation network companies and their drivers to maintain specified insurance coverage while a driver is logged into the rideshare platform or providing a ride.
The driver’s activity immediately before the collision can determine which coverage applies. Our Bessemer City car accident lawyers can investigate the crash along with the rideshare records needed to establish the driver’s status.
Evidence may include:
- The driver’s Lyft app activity and login history.
- The time a ride request was accepted.
- Pickup and drop-off records.
- GPS and trip information.
- Driver and passenger communications.
- Police reports, photographs, and witness statements.
- Insurance policies that may provide coverage.
North Carolina law also requires TNC drivers, rideshare companies, insurers, and other directly involved parties to exchange certain insurance and app-status information during a coverage investigation, including login and service times surrounding the crash.
Who Can File a Personal Injury Claim After a Lyft Crash?
A rideshare passenger is not the only person who may have a claim after a Lyft collision. Anyone injured because of another person’s negligence may have grounds to pursue compensation, depending on the circumstances.
Our Bessemer City personal injury lawyers can review claims involving:
- Lyft passengers injured while being transported.
- Lyft drivers injured by another negligent motorist.
- Drivers or passengers in other vehicles.
- Pedestrians struck by a Lyft driver.
- Bicyclists injured in a rideshare collision.
- Family members pursuing certain claims after a fatal crash.
Determining who caused the collision is only part of the analysis. We also identify the individuals and insurers that may be financially responsible for your losses.
How Insurance Works After a Lyft Accident in North Carolina
North Carolina law divides rideshare insurance requirements based on what the driver was doing at the time of the collision. Knowing whether the driver was offline, available for rides, or actively providing Lyft service can therefore significantly affect the claim.
When the Lyft Driver is Not Logged Into the App
If the driver is not logged into Lyft, the special insurance requirements for transportation network company activity do not apply. The driver’s personal auto insurance will generally be the policy examined after a collision.
When the Driver is Logged In but Has Not Accepted a Ride
North Carolina requires at least $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for one person, $100,000 for injuries or death involving two or more people, and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage while a TNC driver is logged into the platform but is not providing TNC service. The law also requires qualifying uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage during this period.
When the Driver Has Accepted a Ride
Under North Carolina law, TNC service begins when the driver accepts a ride request and continues until the transaction is completed and the passengers have exited and finished unloading. During that period, the required primary automobile liability coverage is at least $1 million per accident.
A driver’s personal auto insurer may exclude losses occurring while the driver is logged into a rideshare platform or providing TNC service. That is another reason we examine all available policies rather than assuming the driver’s personal insurance will cover the collision.
Compensation Available After a Lyft Accident
If another person’s negligence caused your injuries, your claim may include both financial losses and the physical and personal effects of the crash. The amount available depends on your injuries, treatment, ability to work, future needs, and other facts specific to your case.
Compensation may include:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital bills.
- Follow-up appointments and specialist care.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Future medical treatment related to the injury.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced future earning capacity.
- Vehicle repairs or replacement.
- Other damaged personal property.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
- Loss of mobility or other lasting physical limitations.
Our Lyft accident attorneys in Bessemer City review medical documentation, employment information, bills, and other evidence when calculating the losses associated with a claim.
How North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule Can Affect Your Claim
North Carolina follows the contributory negligence doctrine. In an ordinary negligence case, a person who is found to have contributed to causing their own injuries can be barred from recovering compensation.
That rule makes allegations about your own conduct especially significant. An insurer may argue that you contributed to the collision by failing to yield, speeding, making an unsafe movement, or otherwise acting negligently.
Our Bessemer City Lyft accident attorneys examine police reports, photographs, video, witness accounts, vehicle damage, app data, and other evidence when responding to disputed-fault allegations. We do not rely solely on an insurer’s version of how the collision occurred.
How Our Bessemer City Lyft Accident Lawyers Investigate These Cases
A rideshare claim may require information from the drivers, insurers, law enforcement, medical providers, and Lyft itself. We gather the available evidence and examine how each piece fits with the circumstances of the collision.
Depending on the case, our investigation may include:
- Obtaining the collision report and available photographs.
- Reviewing witness statements.
- Preserving Lyft trip and app records.
- Identifying the driver’s status when the crash occurred.
- Reviewing applicable insurance policies and coverage limits.
- Examining medical records and treatment history.
- Documenting lost income and other financial losses.
- Reviewing available traffic-camera, surveillance, or vehicle footage.
- Identifying each person or entity that may be legally responsible.
We also handle communications with insurers and evaluate settlement offers against the documented value of your losses. If a fair resolution cannot be reached through negotiations, we can discuss whether filing a lawsuit is appropriate.
Why Work With Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC?
A rideshare injury claim requires careful attention to both liability and insurance coverage. We work to determine what caused the crash, which policies apply, and how your injuries have affected your finances and daily life.
When you work with Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, you can expect us to:
- Review your case during a free consultation.
- Explain your legal options in clear terms.
- Investigate the cause of the collision.
- Identify available insurance coverage.
- Communicate with insurers on your behalf.
- Document the compensation you are seeking.
- Keep you informed as your claim progresses.
- Prepare your case for litigation when appropriate.
Our firm has represented more than 10,000 clients and recovered more than $100 million. We bring that experience to each injury claim while giving you direct information about the decisions that affect your case.
Contact a Bessemer City Lyft Accident Attorney for a FREE Case Review
You do not have to determine which Lyft policy applies or respond to disputed-fault allegations on your own. Our Lyft accident lawyers in Bessemer City can review the collision and discuss the compensation you may be able to pursue.
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC offers free case evaluations and is available 24/7. Contact us today to discuss your Lyft accident claim and learn how we can help.
