Cincinnati Lyft Accident Lawyers
The taxi cabs that used to cruise the streets in Cincinnati are a thing of the past. Lyft has taken over the transportation industry, providing rides on demand when clients need them. Lyft drivers can be even more dangerous than taxi drivers because of how the rideshare industry is structured. Drivers can go from the street to transport you in a matter of days.
You may be entitled to financial compensation if you have been injured in a Lyft accident in Cincinnati. First, you should reach out to an experienced Lyft accident lawyer at Wolterman Law Office to learn more.
What Are the Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in Cincinnati?
Lyft drivers are not always the most trained or the safest. Some rideshare drivers are conscientious about safety and take your well-being seriously. Others are interested in earning as much money as they can and cutting corners wherever possible. The entire rideshare accident system encourages distracted driving because Lyft operators are always looking at the app for one reason or another. The road itself may be the last thing on the driver’s mind.
Common causes of Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Inexperience and lack of training
- Speeding
- Lack of familiarity with surroundings
- Reckless driving
- Driving in poor weather conditions
Knowing what caused the accident before you file an insurance claim is helpful because you would need to include evidence to send to the insurance company.
Who Is Responsible for a Lyft Accident?
The most common scenario is that you are a passenger in the rideshare vehicle who was injured. In that case, the responsible driver can either be the Lyft operator or the other motorist involved in the case. Your attorney would investigate the accident to determine who was negligent. This is the driver who you would hold responsible. There is a chance that both drivers may share in the blame for the crash. Then, you would file a claim against both insurance policies, and the insurance companies would work out who pays what.
If you were another driver involved in the accident, the Lyft operator could be legally responsible if they were negligent. You need to prove that the rideshare driver did something unreasonable under the circumstances. Your Lyft accident lawyer will need to come to the table with evidence that shows that the rideshare driver did something wrong.
How Much Is My Lyft Accident Case Worth?
Knowing how much your Lyft accident case is worth on your own will be challenging. Many factors can determine the value of your case. Like any other personal injury claim, the factors that go into value in your case are personal.
Broadly speaking, you are typically entitled to economic and non-economic damages to pay for your injuries. Economic damages represent your actual financial losses from the injuries, including medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages are more subjective and compensate you for things such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The insurance company may take a different viewpoint of what your case is worth. Therefore, you need an experienced rideshare accident attorney to help you learn the value of your case and fight for you to receive every dollar you deserve.
Can I Sue Lyft for the Accident?
If you were injured in a taxi, you could sue the taxi company for your injuries because the driver is their employee. The rideshare system works somewhat differently. Uber and Lyft drivers do not work for the company. They are independent contractors who transport you. They receive payment from Uber or Lyft, who then takes a cut of every fair. When someone is an independent contractor, they are personally liable to you. It is tough to get directly at Lyft in a lawsuit, and you can only do it in certain limited circumstances, such as when there is a sexual assault or a failure to properly check a background.
How Can I Get Compensation for a Lyft Accident?
Since you cannot sue Lyft directly, you need to proceed through their insurance company to get compensation. It does not make sense to sue the driver immediately at first, so you would likely file an insurance claim. You could file the claim informally or send them a more formal demand letter.
The insurance company will review your claim and determine whether it will accept liability. If it does, it will make you a settlement offer in an attempt to resolve your case. The settlement offer will almost always be far less than you deserve. You would need an experienced Lyft accident attorney to negotiate on your behalf.
What If I Cannot Settle with the Insurance Company?
The insurance company represents the driver who is involved in the crash. If they do not settle the case, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver directly. The insurance company would need to defend the driver and provide an attorney in court.
If the insurance company does not appear inclined to act reasonably, you can file your case in court. However, a rideshare accident case rarely goes to trial, as liability is usually not the issue. Thus, extensive negotiation is the only way that you would reach a favorable result.
How Can the Cincinnati Lyft Accident Lawyers at Wolterman Law Office Help You?
No matter what, you should always have an experienced rideshare accident attorney represent you when dealing with the insurance company. Our attorneys handle cases professionally and attentively, fighting for you to get the best possible results.
Contact the Cincinnati Lyft Accident Lawyers at Wolterman Law Office After a Rideshare Accident
The Cincinnati Lyft accident lawyers at Wolterman Law Office know the complex compensation system that rideshare companies have established. Call us today at 513-488-1135 or online to schedule a free initial consultation. Our office is in Loveland, Ohio, and we serve clients in Hamilton County, Fairfield, Norwood, and Forest Park.