If you or a family member suffered injuries in a car accident involving a rideshare company in New Port Richey, FL, you may be entitled to financial compensation. An experienced New Port Richey Lyft accident lawyer at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and personal pain and suffering.
Our lawyers have been fighting to protect accident victims like you since 2001. Between us, we have over 119 years of experience handling complex personal injury law matters.
Do you have questions about your legal options after an accident? Contact our law offices in New Port Richey, Florida, to schedule a free consultation today at (727) 910-5060.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Lyft Accident Lawsuit in New Port Richey
You may be entitled to significant compensation if you were involved in a rideshare accident. Insurance policy limits tend to be higher in these cases. However, that also means the insurance company will work hard to downplay your injuries. That can make it tough to recover the full compensation you need to move forward with your life.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, our New Port Richey personal injury attorneys have the skills you need to convince the insurance companies to take you seriously.
When you hire our personal injury law firm, we can:
- Provide sound legal advice and guidance
- Determine who is responsible for your injuries
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- Consult leading experts when necessary
- Determine how much your personal injury case is worth
- Identify the correct insurance policy in your case
- Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf
We’ll stand by your side every step of the way. Contact our New Port Richey personal injury lawyers to learn more about legal representation today.
How Common Are Lyft Accidents in New Port Richey?
There were 391,164 motor vehicle accidents reported across the State of Florida in 2022. Because Lyft has approximately 18.73 million active riders, it’s logical to assume that many of these accidents involved rideshare companies. However, the state doesn’t keep track of Uber and Lyft accidents.
At least one independent study has been conducted to determine how common rideshare accidents are in the U.S. According to that study, traffic fatalities have increased by between 2% and 4% each year since rideshare services were introduced in major U.S. cities.
How Much Is a New Port Richey Uber or Lyft Accident Case Worth?
Accidents involving Uber or Lyft can leave victims struggling with painful injuries and mounting expenses. We know how important it is to get money in your pocket. That said, it’s also critical to make sure you’re receiving the full compensation that you deserve.
The factors that will be most relevant when assessing your case value include:
- The nature of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatment
- Your prognosis for recovery
- Your lost wages during recovery
- How the injury will impact your future work, education, and quality of life
- The pain and suffering you have endured due to the injury
- The strength of your negligence case
- Whether you also share fault for the accident
Even if an insurance settlement seems like a good deal, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney before accepting. Your future costs could be much more than you anticipate. Our lawyers are here to use our years of experience to help assess your case value. Just give us a call for a free consultation to learn more.
How Can Lyft’s Insurance Impact My Case Value?
Complicated insurance issues arise in Lyft accident cases. In the past, victims had a tough time recovering compensation. Because Lyft drivers use their personal vehicles to make a profit, their personal auto insurance companies could deny accident claims.
Similarly, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft could deny liability because rideshare drivers are independent contractors. That means Florida vicarious liability laws do not apply.
Under current law, Florida requires Lyft to carry commercial insurance to cover damages sustained in accidents involving rideshare vehicles.
Lyft App Is Closed
If the driver is not logged into the Lyft app, Lyft’s insurance coverage is not available. However, the driver’s own personal car insurance coverage will be available if the Lyft driver caused the accident.
App Is Open, Driver Is Available
If the Lyft app is open and the driver is available to accept ride requests, the following coverage is available:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury coverage
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury coverage
- $25,000 per accident for property damage coverage
You can access this insurance policy once you have exhausted all other available insurance options. In other words, it is considered “third party” coverage.
Driver Has Accepted a Ride Request
From the moment the Lyft driver accepts a passenger ride request, the following coverage is available:
- At least $1 million in third-party liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the damaged vehicle (with a $2,500 deductible)
This coverage is available when the driver is en route to pick up the passenger, during the ride and until the ride ends in the Lyft app.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Rideshare Accident Victims?
Accident victims can seek compensation for their economic and non-economic damages.
Depending on the nature of your losses, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Loss of consortium
In especially shocking cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages to punish the defendant.
Regardless of the facts, you can count on our lawyers in New Port Richey to fight for every dollar you deserve. Just call Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney today.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Partly Responsible for Causing a Lyft Accident in Florida?
Yes. Under the comparative fault laws in Florida, you can receive compensation even if you share some blame for the accident. As long as you were not entirely at-fault, you can recover compensation from anyone else whose acts also caused the accident.
For example, if you’re found to be 40% liable, you’re still entitled to 60% of your settlement or verdict.
We’ll Fight To Recover Full Compensation for All of Your New Port Richey Lyft Accident Injuries
Lyft accident injuries have the potential to be severe.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, our New Port Richey Lyft accident attorneys often represent injured clients who have suffered:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Loss of limbs and traumatic amputations
- Paralysis, including quadriplegia and paraplegia
- Catastrophic injuries
We can also help you file a wrongful death lawsuit if you lost a family member in a fatal rideshare accident.
What Causes Most Motor Vehicle Accidents Involving Lyft in New Port Richey, Florida?
Some of the most common causes of Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted driving, which can include watching the Lyft app or searching for a passenger instead of paying attention to the road
- Stopping in dangerous locations for passenger pickups
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal or unsafe turns
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Road hazards
- Defective Lyft vehicles
- Failure to maintain the vehicle
Third parties can also contribute to the cause of a Lyft accident. You can count on our lawyers to determine the cause of your accident while you rest and recover. All you have to do is call our law firm to learn more about our legal services today.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Lyft Accident in Florida?
Proving negligence can be complicated.
You’ll have to offer proof of the following four elements:
- The at-fault party’s legal duty of care
- A breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
In other words, you need evidence that the responsible party made some sort of mistake that caused your accident and injuries.
Many types of evidence can be used to prove your case. Witness statements, video footage, and even medical records can all provide evidence about who was responsible for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Lyft Accident Occurs in Florida?
The statute of limitations in Florida gives accident victims four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once the four-year anniversary of your Lyft accident passes, you lose the right to sue the at-fault party for damages.
Contact a New Port Richey Lyft Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Insurance matters can quickly become complicated in motor vehicle accident cases involving Lyft. An experienced New Port Richey Lyft accident attorney can help you cut through the red tape. Just call Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more about how our experienced lawyers can help.