Lyft Accidents Attorney in Indianapolis

Being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident can result in severe injuries, complex insurance claims, and a confusing legal process that victims shouldn’t navigate alone. Whether you were a passenger in a ridesharing service vehicle, struck by an Uber or Lyft driver, or operating your own car during a collision with a rideshare vehicle, understanding your rights to compensation is crucial. Our attorneys specialize in personal injury cases involving rideshare companies. Crossen Law Firm’s experienced Lyft accident lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of personal insurance and liability coverage to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact a Lyft accidents attorney in Indianapolis today at 317-401-8626.

How an Indianapolis Lawyer Can Help With Lyft Accidents

Navigating the aftermath of a Lyft car accident in Indianapolis can be overwhelming. A personal injury attorney specializing in rideshare accident cases can significantly impact your recovery journey. Crossen Law Firm’s experienced attorneys understand the complexities involved when an accident occurs involving Uber and Lyft.

Our personal injury team can help you:

• Determine which insurance policies apply to your case
• Determine liability among various parties
• Gather crucial evidence from the accident scene
• Calculate the full value of your damages, including medical bills and lost wages
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• Pursue compensation through legal action if necessary

Unlike other car accidents, Uber and Lyft accident claims involve unique challenges that require specialized knowledge. Our Lyft accident lawyers in Indianapolis have the expertise to navigate these complexities and fight for the fair compensation you deserve. A skilled personal injury attorney can make the difference between a denied claim and substantial compensation.

How Rideshare Driver Negligence Causes Lyft Accidents

Lyft and Uber drivers, like other drivers, can engage in negligent behaviors that lead to accidents. However, the nature of rideshare work creates additional risk factors.

Common examples of negligence that cause Lyft car accidents include:

Distracted driving: Rideshare drivers frequently check their rideshare app to accept new ride requests or follow GPS directions.

Fatigue: Many Uber and Lyft drivers work long hours or operate after completing regular jobs.

Unfamiliar routes: Uber and Lyft drivers often travel in areas they’re not familiar with.

Speeding to maximize earnings: The pressure to complete more rides may cause a rideshare driver to exceed speed limits.

Improper vehicle maintenance: Some drivers fail to properly maintain their Lyft vehicle, leading to mechanical failures.

When driver negligence causes a rideshare accident, determining liability becomes crucial for victims seeking compensation.

Common Injuries Sustained After a Rideshare Accident

Victims of a Lyft car accident may suffer various injuries, ranging from minor to severe. These injuries can have long-lasting effects, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Common injuries include:

• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Back and spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Emotional trauma and PTSD

In the most tragic cases, a rideshare accident can result in fatal injuries. These personal injury consequences can affect your quality of life for years. If you’ve sustained injuries in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, documenting your medical treatment is crucial for your personal injury claim.

What You Should Do After a Lyft Accident

Taking appropriate steps immediately after an Indianapolis car accident can significantly impact your ability to seek compensation. Here’s what you should do:

• Ensure safety and call 911: Move to a safe location and report the accident.
• Document the accident scene: Take photos of all vehicles involved, property damage, injuries, and relevant road conditions.
• Exchange information: Collect contact and insurance information from the Uber or Lyft driver and any other drivers involved in the accident.
• Identify witnesses: Get contact information from anyone who witnessed the rideshare accident.
• Report the rideshare accident through the rideshare service app: Make sure the accident is officially reported to the ridesharing company.
• Seek medical attention: A medical evaluation creates an official record of any injuries.
• Contact a rideshare accident attorney: Contact a rideshare accident lawyer immediately to protect your rights..
• Preserve evidence: Keep all medical records, repair estimates, and correspondence related to the rideshare accident.

Taking these steps helps determine liability and strengthens your Uber and Lyft accident claim.

Lyft Accident Passenger Rights

As a Lyft passenger, you have specific rights when involved in a rideshare accident. When using a rideshare service, passengers have the right to:

• Expect safe transportation in a properly maintained Uber or Lyft vehicle
• Be driven by a qualified Uber or Lyft driver who follows traffic laws
• Access insurance coverage from multiple sources after an Uber or Lyft accident
• Seek compensation for injuries regardless of fault
• File a personal injury claim
• Take legal action against negligent parties

If you were a rideshare passenger when an Uber or Lyft accident occurred, you generally have a stronger claim since you had no role in causing the collision. However, navigating the claims process still requires understanding which insurance policies apply and how to pursue your claim effectively.

Determining Fault After an Indianapolis Rideshare Accident

Establishing liability in a Lyft car accident can be complicated because various parties may share responsibility. Determining which party is legally responsible requires a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the rideshare accident. Understanding the applicable liability coverage is crucial to maximizing your compensation.

Potentially liable parties include:

• The Lyft driver
• Other drivers involved in the rideshare accident
• Lyft as the ridesharing company
• Vehicle manufacturers
• Government entities

In Indiana, determining fault affects how compensation is awarded. Evidence used to determine liability may include:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Traffic camera footage
• Data from the Uber or Lyft app
• Vehicle damage assessment
• Driver records and history

A rideshare accident lawyer can help gather and analyze this evidence to identify all at-fault parties.

How Lyft Accidents Are More Complicated to Litigate

Rideshare accident cases present unique challenges compared to typical Indianapolis car accident claims. Rideshare drivers may find that their personal insurance denies claims when the accident occurred while using the vehicle commercially. These complexities make having a rideshare accident lawyer particularly valuable.

Factors that complicate Uber or Lyft car accidents include:

• Multiple insurance policies: Depending on the Uber or Lyft driver’s status in the app (offline, waiting for a request, en route to pickup, or during a trip), different insurance coverage levels apply.
• Independent contractor status: Rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors, which affects the ridesharing company’s liability.
• Insurance coverage disputes: Personal insurers often deny claims when Uber or Lyft drivers were using their vehicles commercially.
• Corporate resistance: Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have substantial resources to contest claims.
• Evidence preservation: Critical evidence from the rideshare app may be difficult to obtain without legal intervention.
• Multiple victims: When several passengers are injured, it can complicate how insurance limits are distributed.

These challenges highlight why working with accident lawyers experienced in Uber and Lyft accident cases is essential for victims seeking fair compensation.

How Modified Comparative Negligence Laws Apply to Rideshare Accidents

Indiana follows a modified comparative negligence system, which directly impacts how compensation is awarded in rideshare accident cases. This legal framework affects all parties involved in the accident.

Under Indiana’s modified comparative negligence laws:

• Victims can recover damages even if they were partially at fault, as long as they’re not more than 50% responsible.
• Compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the victim.
• If multiple parties share liability, each may be responsible for a portion of the damages.

This system of determining liability makes thorough investigation crucial in these accident cases. Your rideshare accident attorney will work to minimize any percentage of fault assigned to you while maximizing the liability of the opposing party.

FAQs

When Is Lyft and Not the Driver Responsible for an Accident?

Uber or Lyft may bear direct responsibility rather than the driver in certain situations:

• When the accident involves a vehicle defect that Lyft should have identified through proper inspection requirements
• If Lyft negligently hired a driver with a history of traffic violations or criminal offenses like sexual assault
• When accidents result from Lyft’s policies or app design that encourage unsafe driving practices
• If Lyft failed to provide adequate driver training or safety guidelines

However, because Lyft classifies drivers as independent contractors, the company often attempts to distance itself from liability. Your accident lawyer can help determine when pursuing the ridesharing company’s insurance is appropriate.

Why Does it Take So Long To Settle With Lyft Driver’s Insurance?

Several factors contribute to delays in settling insurance claims after a Lyft car accident:

• Multiple insurance policies are involved, creating confusion about which coverage applies
• Insurance companies conduct extensive investigations before accepting liability.
• The severity of injuries may not be immediately apparent, requiring ongoing medical assessment.
• Rideshare companies and their insurers may dispute liability or coverage.
• Documentation from all parties must be collected and analyzed.
• Negotiation processes are often deliberately prolonged by insurance companies.

A personal injury attorney can help expedite this process by applying pressure on insurance companies and ensuring all documentation is properly submitted.

Is Using Lyft More Dangerous Than Driving Myself?

While using Lyft isn’t inherently more dangerous than driving yourself, there are unique risk factors to consider:

• Rideshare drivers may be less familiar with certain areas than local drivers.
• The pressure to complete more rides can lead to rushed driving.
• Drivers may be distracted by the rideshare app while driving.
• Some drivers work long hours, increasing fatigue risk.
• Personal vehicles used for ridesharing may not receive the same maintenance as commercial vehicles.

However, using Lyft can be safer when you would otherwise drive while fatigued or impaired. The choice ultimately depends on individual circumstances and risk assessment.

Let a Lyft Accidents Attorney Protect Your Rights Today

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, don’t face the challenge alone. Crossen Law Firm’s experienced team of rideshare accident lawyers understands the complexities of Uber and Lyft accident cases and is committed to helping victims seek the compensation they deserve.

Whether you were a Lyft passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian injured in a rideshare vehicle accident, our legal team of accident lawyers has the expertise to navigate your claim successfully. Contact our personal injury attorney team for a free consultation to evaluate your case.

Don’t let insurance companies minimize your suffering or deny you the compensation you need for recovery. Contact our Indianapolis car accident lawyers today to schedule your consultation and learn how we can help you pursue your rideshare accident claim: 317-401-8626.