A Harrisonburg rideshare accident lawyer is here to help if you have been in a Lyft accident. As a victim, you have likely sustained physical injuries and resulting financial and emotional distress. You deserve compensation for those losses, and MartinWren, P.C. will fight to secure it.
Our team has been ranked among the “Best Law Firms” in the United States by Best Lawyers. You can trust your Harrisonburg Lyft accident lawyer to provide the superior service, communication, and legal representation that earned that recognition.
Why You Should Connect With a Lyft Accident Lawyer in Harrisonburg Swiftly
It’s always best to hire a Harrisonburg personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can provide valuable guidance from the start. We can help you report the accident to Lyft using the right words, so your account of events is not called into question.
If you are a Lyft passenger during a rideshare accident, you are most likely not to blame for the crash. Still, the Lyft driver could accuse you of unruly behavior that distracted them from driving duties. If your involvement was as another driver, there is more opportunity for others involved to accuse you of fault.
Under Virginia’s system of contributory negligence, if you bear any responsibility for a crash, you can lose the chance to collect compensation.
Your Lyft accident lawyer in Harrisonburg has extensive experience dealing with contributory negligence and will work diligently to collect evidence showing the at-fault party’s negligence and your lack of culpability.
The Importance of an Early Investigation
Your attorney needs strong evidence to build a compelling claim. Evidence collection is more effective in the days immediately following a crash.
As time goes by, physical evidence from the scene and the vehicles involved can get lost. Camera footage can get erased. Witnesses’ memories fade.
An early investigation helps avoid these potential losses and allows our team to capture this valuable information, determine who is at fault, and file your claim with the court promptly. Count on us to pursue every shred of evidence available when building your claim.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
Possible Liable Parties for a Lyft Accident
There are a variety of possible liable parties for a Lyft accident. Your Harrisonburg Lyft accident attorney can identify that party and demand accountability.
A Lyft Driver or Another Driver
Negligence on the part of the Lyft driver or a third-party driver could cause the crash. A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) titled “Smartphone apps driver gig workers, parents to distraction” shows “Gig-economy workers were more than twice as likely as other drivers to engage in any distracting activity and nearly four times as likely to regularly use smartphone apps while driving.”
The Lyft Company
Rideshare companies protect themselves from liability by hiring drivers as independent contractors, not full company employees.
This structure makes it difficult to hold the Lyft company accountable for accidents. Still, if your lawyer uncovers examples of company negligence that contributed to your accident, MartinWren, P.C., will be prepared to hold Lyft liable.
Vehicle Manufacturers or Mechanics
A vehicle defect or malfunction could lead to an accident. An investigation may show faulty brakes or design flaws caused the crash. In these situations, the vehicle manufacturer may be liable.
Similarly, if mechanics failed to perform proper repairs and put an unsafe car back on the road, they could be at fault.
Government Entities
Road maintenance, traffic-signal operation, street lighting, and other elements of safe travel fall under the purview of different government entities.
When an agency fails to uphold its duty and an accident results, your Lyft accident attorney in Harrisonburg will follow the legal process for holding government agencies accountable.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Lyft Accident
The types of compensation you can get after a car accident include economic and non-economic damages. The other side often tries to downplay the consequences of your accident to avoid a large payout. Your lawyer will assess every loss associated with your accident and seek full compensation for:
- Medical costs, including future expenses if you require continuing care for more serious injuries
- Income lost during recovery, and future lost wages and benefits if injuries keep you out of work permanently
- Property repair or replacement costs
- Any other economic loss incurred by the accident
- Your physical pain and emotional suffering
- Losses to your quality of life
Punitive damages do not compensate you for your losses. Rather, they are an additional monetary penalty imposed on the at-fault party for acts of extreme negligence. If your case circumstances warrant punitive damages, your attorney will pursue them.
Harrisonburg Lyft Accident Lawyer Near Me (434) 817-3100
An Attorney Can Deal With All Insurance Issues and Negotiations
Typically, you seek damages from the at-fault party’s insurance. When the Lyft driver is liable for an accident, different insurance allocations apply depending on when the accident occurs, according to Lyft’s insurance coverage while driving.
Lyft drivers use their own insurance to cover their medical costs. Lyft provides additional third-party liability coverage for individuals injured in crashes caused by Lyft drivers.
If the Lyft driver is on the app but hasn’t yet accepted a client, company insurance includes $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
When the driver is traveling to a pickup or carrying passengers, Lyft provides $1,000,000 for third-party injuries and property damage.
he company may pay for damage to the Lyft driver’s vehicle under some circumstances. Your attorney will handle all insurance matters for you, fighting to ensure you get every dollar you deserve.
Your Case Matters to Us
MartinWren, P.C., is committed to delivering every client the best claim outcome possible. From first steps to resolution, you can expect your Harrisonburg Lyft accident attorney to manage your claim with skill and treat you with respect and compassion.
Reach out for a free case review today. We are always available to take your call and look forward to leading your fight for justice.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
