Ridesharing services are becoming more and more popular. Today, Lyft or Uber drivers operate throughout Rock Hill.
Unfortunately, these ridesharing service drivers are not immune to getting involved in car accidents. If you were struck by a Lyft or Uber, or if you were riding as a passenger in a Lyft or Uber at the time of a crash, you should learn about your legal rights and options.
When crashes involve Lyft or Uber drivers, they can be more complex than other types of car accident cases. If you have been injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, it is important that you speak to a Rock Hill Lyft accident lawyer at McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC, who can guide you through your legal options. Contact us today and allow us to review your case in a consultation.
What Are Your Options If a Rock Hill Lyft Driver Causes Your Accident?
Individuals in Rock Hill that have been injured as a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, or that have been hurt by a Lyft driver’s negligence while in their own vehicle, have a right to file a claim to recover compensation. The process of filing that claim will depend on the situation – specifically on what the Lyft driver was doing at the time of the crash. Here are three scenarios:
- Driver not logged into the app – When a Lyft operator is not logged into the app, it means that the driver is unavailable to pick up passengers. If this driver caused a crash that left you with injuries, then you would file a claim with the Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance provider. The minimum auto insurance limits that drivers must carry in South Carolina are up to $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
- Driver logged into the app without a passenger – If the Lyft driver was logged into the app but not carrying a passenger and was not about to pick up a passenger, Uber and Lyft’s insurance company will provide compensation if the driver causes a crash. These limits include up to $50,000 per person for death and bodily injury, $100,000 for death and bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Driver logged in and carrying a passenger – When a Lyft operator was logged into the app and carrying a passenger, Uber and Lyft’s insurance company will also provide insurance coverage. In these instances, both companies offer up to $1 million in liability insurance.
Although determining the status of a Lyft driver may seem to be fairly simple, that is not always the case. Sometimes, a Lyft driver may be logged into the app and on the way to pick up a passenger, but the ridesharing company may argue that the driver was not matched with a passenger at the time.
What Steps Should You Take After a Rock Hill Lyft Accident?
There are many steps you should take to protect your rights after a Lyft accident. Those steps include:
- Get off the road – One of the worst things to do immediately following a crash is to remain on the road. Staying put could lead to a secondary accident.
- Call for help – The most important thing to do once you are out of danger is to call 911. Calling 911 will ensure that medical help arrives on the scene as soon as possible. So, you will get help for your injuries, and anyone else who suffered injuries will get medical attention as well.
- Report the accident – It is the law in South Carolina that you must report an accident if it resulted in injury or death. Call the police and wait for them to arrive on the scene so they can write a report and include your statement about the in the report.
- Collect information – You should obtain information from everyone involved in the accident. Write down the name, contact information, and insurance information of the Lyft or Uber driver and any other drivers involved in the crash.
- Call a lawyer – Even if you were a passenger at the time of the crash, it does not mean that insurance companies are any more likely to give you the settlement you deserve. A lawyer will aggressively seek the maximum compensation for you.
