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St. Louis Lyft Accident Attorney
Lyft is a popular ride-hailing company offering innovative private transportation alternatives to millions nationwide. Their digital platform/app allows users to book rides from wherever they are and get picked up by a driver who will take them to their preferred destination. They also offer a rideshare service, which allows users to share a car with others going in the same direction at a reduced cost.
The company runs a unique business model in which they do not own the vehicles used through their platform. Instead, the vehicles belong to the individual drivers who are not considered company employees. While this organizational structure is great for their business, it raises many issues for Lyft users, especially when a car accident involving a Lyft vehicle occurs.
Generally, if you’ve been involved in a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, where you suffered personal injury or vehicle damage, you can claim compensation to cover your medical bills and other related expenses from the person responsible or their insurance company. However, in car accidents involving Lyft vehicles, claiming compensation could be challenging as Lyft’s business structure makes it difficult to determine who the liable party is: Lyft or the Lyft driver.
Many Lyft accident victims may abandon their personal injury claim when faced with that dilemma. But that doesn’t have to be you. Instead of abandoning your claim or struggling through the claims process, consider getting help from experienced St. Louis Lyft accident attorneys. These Car Accident Attorneys, like those at our law firm, focus on personal injury cases involving Lyft vehicles, so they have a deep understanding of the applicable laws. They can help you identify the liable party in your case and handle all the other complexities associated with Lyft car accident compensation claims on your behalf, leaving you free to focus on your health and recovery.
Below, we share some information on Lyft accidents that could help you prepare for your case and specific ways our competent St. Louis Lyft Accident lawyers can assist you.
Who Is Liable in a Lyft Car Accident?
Many believe it is easier to go after an established organization than an individual when seeking compensation for any reason. If you are one of those and have been involved in a car accident with a Lyft driver, your first instinct may be to sue or find a way to get compensation from them. However, it may be difficult to succeed with that approach because Lyft drivers generally operate as independent contractors and not company employees.
This distinction is important because, by the legal principle of vicarious liability, an employer is only responsible for the actions of their employees during their job. This legal responsibility or liability generally does not extend to independent contractors. As such, independent contractors like Lyft drivers are usually personally liable for their wrongful or negligent acts, even if the acts occurred while on the job.
Regardless of this position, Lyft maintains third-party liability insurance that covers accidents that occur in the following circumstances:
- When the driver has their Lyft App on and can receive ride requests.
- When the driver has their Lyft App on in the middle of a ride or on the way to pick up passengers.
If the accident you were involved in was caused by the Lyft driver in such circumstances, then you may be able to claim compensation from Lyft’s insurers.
Understandably, some Lyft accident victims, such as pedestrians and other third-party motorists who were not passengers in the Lyft vehicle, may find it difficult to tell whether the at-fault Lyft driver’s app was on during the accident, to make them eligible for compensation under Lyft’s third-party auto insurance policy.
If you’re in such a dilemma and unsure about Lyft’s liability in your case, our outstanding St. Louis Lyft accident attorneys can examine the facts/evidence in your case and request the relevant driver records from Lyft, if necessary, to help you determine whether your accident is covered under Lyft’s policies. That way, you can be sure that you’ll not be wasting your time seeking compensation from the wrong party.
How Our Experienced Lyft Accident Attorneys Can Help
At Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, we understand that claiming compensation after a Lyft Accident is complex, especially since you may be dealing with severe injuries due to the accident. As such, we are committed to helping people like you navigate the system with minimal or no stress and helping them succeed with their personal injury claims.
Here are some of the specific ways our skilled Car Accident Attorneys can help with your case:
- We can investigate the facts of your case and review the available evidence, including the official police report, to help determine who is liable for your injuries or losses. That way, you’ll know where to direct your compensation claim.
- Having determined the liable party between Lyft, the Lyft driver, or any other third party, we can help you begin the insurance claims process with the appropriate auto insurance company and identify the documents you’ll need to prove your claim.
- Lyft has several auto insurance partners nationwide, including Liberty Mutual and State Farm. If Lyft is liable for your accident, it may be difficult to identify which company’s policy covers your case. Our Auto Accident Lawyers can ease your stress and take on the trouble of determining which company has the authority to process your claim.
- The liable insurance company may try to deny your claim or offer you an amount that does not cover your losses. If you dispute the outcome of the insurance claims process, we can try to resolve the dispute by negotiating with the company or filing a lawsuit on your behalf, depending on the circumstances.
Contact a St. Louis Lyft Accident Lawyer at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien for Help With Your Lyft Accident Case
Getting compensation after a Lyft accident could be difficult because there are many details to consider. This could make life difficult, especially if you are still recovering from your injuries.
In such cases, you can rely on us to represent you and liaise with the at-fault party or their insurance company to help move your case forward.
We have decades of experience dealing with car accident cases, and we believe that the skills we’ve gained in that time can help you achieve your goals and obtain compensation with as minimal stress as possible.
Contact us immediately to discuss your concerns about your Uber or Lyft accident compensation claim. Share your burden with us, and let us help you determine the next steps and find working solutions that could help you succeed with your claim.
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