North Carolina Lyft Accident Attorney

Lyft accident scene in North Carolina

Rideshare services such as Lyft have become convenient for many people to get around cities across North Carolina. Whether in Raleigh, Durham, or Greensboro, you’ve likely seen a rideshare vehicle with a Lyft decal in its window. While getting a Lyft may be convenient, Lyft drivers are sometimes involved in car accidents. Lyft passengers and occupants of other vehicles can sustain serious injuries that result in medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

If you suffered injuries in a Lyft car crash, you need a personal injury law firm with experience handling rideshare accident claims. Call us today at 919-980-9895 or contact Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., for a free consultation. An experienced Lyft accident attorney can review your motor vehicle accident, help identify the liable parties, and explain your options for seeking compensation for your injuries and medical expenses.

Our office is conveniently located at 3400 Croasdaile Drive, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27705, and we are ready to help you understand your legal options.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Lyft Accident?

Several parties could be liable for your injuries depending on the circumstances of the Lyft car crash. The parties most likely to be liable after a Lyft accident include:

  • The Lyft driver – If the driver was speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or failing to follow traffic rules when the accident occurred, the rideshare driver may be financially liable.
  • Another driver – If another driver caused the accident by colliding with a Lyft vehicle you were in, or cutting off another car and causing a chain reaction crash, the other driver may be liable.
  • Rideshare companies—In some instances, the Lyft Company may be liable if the Lyft driver was transporting a passenger at the time of the accident, if the company failed to screen the driver properly, or if the rideshare app contributed to the crash somehow.
  • A vehicle manufacturer – The manufacturer could be liable if a defective vehicle component, such as faulty brakes, contributed to the crash.
  • A government entity – When poor road conditions, including faded road lines, missing traffic signs, malfunctioning traffic signals, or large potholes, contribute to an accident, the government entity responsible for the road’s maintenance may be liable.

Proving liability will require evidence such as accident scene photographs, traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and medical records documenting the injuries. Our experienced North Carolina Lyft accident attorneys understand the types of evidence to gather when investigating a rideshare accident.

Understanding Lyft’s Insurance Policy and North Carolina Laws

North Carolina requires all drivers to have liability and uninsured motorist coverage as part of their auto insurance policy.

The minimum amounts of liability coverage a driver must maintain are:

  • $30,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 per accident for property damage

Suppose a Lyft driver causes an accident that harms you while the driver is logged off the Lyft app. In that case, you may file a claim against the driver’s personal auto liability insurance and seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses. If the at-fault driver’s auto insurance does not cover all your expenses, our personal injury attorneys can explore options for seeking financial compensation, including filing an underinsured motorist claim with your insurer.

When the Driver Is Available to Accept a Ride

If the crash occurs while the driver is logged into the Lyft app and available for ride requests, Lyft provides the following liability coverage:

  • $50,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 per accident for property damage

This coverage is available if the Lyft driver caused the accident.

When a Ride Is Accepted or in Progress

If the crash occurs while the Lyft driver travels to pick up a passenger or while a ride is in progress, Lyft provides $1 million in third-party auto liability coverage. It may also provide first-party coverage, including medical payments (MedPay), and coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists.

Can You Sue Lyft If Your Driver Crashes?

Whether you can sue Lyft directly if your driver crashes depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Lyft classifies its drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This distinction is key because it limits Lyft’s liability as an employer. In most cases, you can only seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or a claim against Lyft’s auto insurance policy.

However, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against Lyft directly if:

  • The company’s failure to conduct a proper background check on the driver contributed to the accident
  • The Lyft app’s functionality contributed to the accident, such as by providing incorrect directions
  • The company’s business practices contributed to the accident, such as by incentivizing its drivers to speed to complete more rides

How a North Carolina Lyft Accident Attorney Can Help You Seek Compensation

After a Lyft accident, you may not know what to do next.

A North Carolina Lyft accident lawyer can provide legal guidance and handle all aspects of your Lyft accident claim, including:

  • Investigating the crash – Our lawyers are experienced at investigating Lyft car crashes. We will review eyewitness statements and expert testimony to identify the at-fault parties and hold them liable.
  • Handling all communication – Rideshare accident victims don’t need the stress of dealing with insurance companies while recovering from serious injuries. An experienced rideshare accident attorney can handle all communications with the insurers on your behalf while you focus on regaining your health.
  • Negotiating with insurers – We’ll also negotiate with the at-fault parties’ insurance companies to seek a fair settlement that covers your losses. We know how to negotiate effectively with insurers to demand maximum compensation for accident victims.
  • Representing you in court – If an insurance company refuses to agree to a reasonable settlement, our Lyft accident lawyers are experienced trial attorneys and will be prepared to take your case to trial. We always prepare for trial from the outset to use it as leverage in settlement negotiations. With our strategic approach, our attorneys are successful in resolving most injury cases without going to trial

Call Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., After a Lyft Accident in North Carolina

If you were in an accident involving a Lyft driver, call us today at 919-980-9895 or contact Kornbluth Ginsberg for a free consultation with one of our North Carolina Lyft accident attorneys. Our lawyers treat clients as we would want to be treated in a similar situation. That means providing compassion and support while helping accident victims understand their rights. Get in touch today to discuss your circumstances and learn more about how a Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can help.