Lawyer for New Orleans Lyft Drivers
Your job is driving. Ours is protecting your rights
You’ve probably seen it happen. A fender bender on Magazine Street. A sideswipe on Carrollton. Or worse, a high-speed collision on I-10. In New Orleans, where streets curve through centuries-old neighborhoods and potholes are more common than parking spaces, the risks behind the wheel are real, especially for Lyft drivers.
You spend your days (and often nights) navigating traffic, dodging distracted tourists, and dealing with unpredictable road conditions. You’re not just getting from Point A to Point B. You’re running a business. But when you’re injured in a crash while driving for Lyft, everything can unravel within seconds. Yet the aftermath can list months, years, and possibly a lifetime.
The Law Offices of John S. Williams is here to help you pick up the pieces. We know what’s at stake for you and fight to maximize your compensation and help you get on the path to recovery. To schedule a free consultation with our legal team, contact us online or call our New Orleans law office.
“I had an excellent experience with the Law Offices of John S. Williams. I relied on their legal assistance and consulting. Mr. Williams did not hesitate to take on my challenging case. He set reasonable expectations from the start and kept me informed throughout the entire process. Mr. Williams also was extremely trustworthy and I was very happy with the outcome of my case. I would highly recommend John S. Williams to anyone looking for a top of the line lawyer.” – T.R., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What are the biggest legal problems Lyft drivers face?
You’d think a company like Lyft would have your back. After all, you’re working for them. But when you’re injured, your car is totaled, or you’re hit with a lawsuit, Lyft’s interest in helping you tends to disappear fast.
1. Your personal insurance won’t cover you
Here’s something many drivers find out the hard way: most personal auto insurance policies in Louisiana don’t apply if you’re using your car for commercial purposes. That includes driving for Lyft. Even if you’re just logged into the app and waiting for a ride, your insurance company may refuse to cover you. You’re paying for a policy that’s useless the second you start your shift.
2. Lyft’s insurance comes with strings attached
Lyft offers commercial coverage, but it’s limited. The coverage depends on what “phase” you were in at the time of the crash. This might be offline, waiting for a ride, en route to a pickup, or driving a passenger. These distinctions matter, and Lyft will use them to decide whether you’re covered at all.
Even when you do qualify, the coverage may not go far. Property damage coverage is contingent. There’s a steep deductible. Plus, if you didn’t carry the right type of insurance before the crash, Lyft will use that against you.
3. Who’s liable? That’s a complicated question.
Let’s say you’re rear-ended in Treme by someone who ran a stop sign. Seems clear-cut, right? But what if they were also working for Lyft? Or they claim you stopped short? Or a passenger in your backseat blames you for their injuries?
Liability in New Orleans rideshare accidents often involves multiple parties, competing insurance policies, and contradictory versions of events. Without a lawyer, you’re left trying to sort through it all while recovering from your injuries and while your income is on hold.
How does Lyft’s insurance coverage work?
Lyft’s insurance is broken into three tiers depending on what you were doing when the crash occurred.
App off: You’re on your own
If you weren’t logged into the app, Lyft’s insurance doesn’t apply. You’re relying entirely on your personal auto policy.
App on, waiting for a ride: Limited coverage
Lyft provides basic third-party liability coverage:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident total
- $25,000 for property damage
But that doesn’t cover your own injuries, fix your car, or pay your lost wages.
Ride accepted or in progress: Full coverage
Once you’ve accepted a ride or have a passenger in your vehicle, Lyft’s $1 million liability policy kicks in. This includes:
- Liability coverage for injuries to others
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision (but only if you carry it on your personal policy and pay the $2,500 deductible)
It’s better than nothing, but it’s still not a blank check. Claims can be denied, delayed, or underpaid. Lyft will do whatever it can to shift the blame and reduce their financial obligation. That’s why you need a skilled New Orleans Lyft accident lawyer advocating for you every step of the way.
What damages can I get compensation for?
A trip to the emergency room at University Medical Center or Tulane can rack up thousands of dollars in a single day. Add on follow-up visits, physical therapy, prescriptions, and time off the road, and you’re looking at a serious financial burden.
The Law Offices of John S. Williams calculates your total losses and builds a claim that includes:
- Medical treatment (past and future)
- Lost earnings
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
What if the other driver was uninsured?
This happens more than you’d think. Someone smashes into your vehicle and they’ve got no insurance, or only the bare minimum.
If that driver is at fault and can’t pay, you might be able to file a claim under Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. But this process is tricky, and the insurance company may argue that the other driver wasn’t really at fault, or that you were.
Our firm knows how to push back, prove fault, and make the insurance companies honor their promises.
Can I sue if Lyft denies my claim?
If Lyft denies your claim, you can sue, but you’ll need to act fast. In Louisiana, you generally have just one year from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. That’s not much time, especially when you’re dealing with recovery, insurance paperwork, and silence from Lyft.
If Lyft or its insurance partner denies your claim, you may be able to sue for:
- Breach of contract
- Bad faith insurance practices (under Louisiana law)
- Personal injury or property damage caused by third parties
The Law Offices of John S. Williams has taken on big insurance companies and corporate defense teams. We don’t flinch, and we don’t back down. When you work with us, we’ll go the extra mile to ensure the insurance companies do the right thing.
Why do I need a New Orleans Lyft accident attorney?
There’s a reason so many rideshare drivers in New Orleans turn to us after a Lyft crash. We know how this city works. We know the roads, the traffic patterns, and the insurance tactics. Most of all, we know how to win.
Here’s what we bring to the table:
We protect your financial future
After a Lyft crash, you’ve got bills to pay, repairs to make, and income to replace. We fight for the full value of your claim so you’re not left holding the bag while Lyft and the insurance companies point fingers.
We untangle multi-party insurance disputes
If your crash involves other rideshare drivers, commercial vehicles, or multiple passengers, the insurance web can get complicated fast. We figure out who’s responsible, which policies apply, and who owes you money.
We push back against delayed or denied claims
Insurance companies are hoping you’ll go away. They may deny your claim without a full investigation. Or they may delay payment until you’re desperate. We don’t let them get away with it. Attorney John S. Williams knows their playbook and moves quickly to hold them accountable, demand answers, and fight for every dollar you’re owed.
We understand rideshare cases
Lyft accident claims aren’t like regular car crash claims. There are app status timestamps, layered coverage tiers, and questions about whether you’re classified as working at the time.
We know the policy language. We’ve reviewed the app data. We know how Lyft, their insurance partners, and third-party adjusters operate, and we know how to push back when they try to lowball or deny your claim.
We’re not afraid of a fight
Some firms prefer a quick settlement, even if it’s not enough to cover your medical bills. That’s not how we work.
Attorney John S. Williams is a trial lawyer. If the insurance company plays games, he’s prepared to take them to court.
We focus on you
Our firm isn’t about volume. We don’t take hundreds of cases and push them through a one-size-fits-all process. We take the time to understand what you’re going through, including your recovery timeline, your ability to work, and if you’re being harassed by insurance companies. We’ll answer every call, explain your legal options clearly, and stand beside you from start to finish.
Get real answers and support from a New Orleans Lyft accident lawyer
If you were hurt in a Lyft accident, you’ve been through enough. Don’t try to untangle all this yourself. Get a lawyer who knows the rideshare system and who won’t be intimidated by insurance companies.
The Law Offices of John S. Williams offers powerful representation for New Orleans rideshare drivers who’ve been hurt in the line of duty. We help you understand your rights, file the right claims with the right insurance company, and take legal action when necessary. We also know that when you’re injured driving for Lyft, it can feel like no one’s in your corner. Lyft deflects. The insurance company delays compensation, but your bills don’t wait. That’s where we come in.
We don’t charge a dime unless we win for you. Plus, there’s no obligation or pressure to hire us; you just get honest answers from a legal team that never forgets who we’re fighting for. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let us listen to your story, evaluate your claim, and show you how we can help.