Were you or a family member injured in a Lyft accident in New Orleans, Louisiana? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC at (504) 486-0300 for a free consultation with an experienced New Orleans Lyft accident lawyer.
Our team is led by an attorney with over 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases. We’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars. We understand the unique challenges that arise in Lyft accident cases and are ready to handle them. Call our law offices in New Orleans, Louisiana today to learn more.
Why Choose the Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC for Help After a Lyft Accident in New Orleans, LA?
A legal battle with major insurance companies and defense lawyers is the last thing you need if you were injured in a crash. Unfortunately, that’s what most rideshare accident victims have to deal with in the aftermath.
Why is hiring the right New Orleans personal injury attorney important? Because quality legal representation can mean the difference between walking away with a lowball deal or securing the compensation you really deserve.
Our team at the Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC has been recognized by Avvo, The Louisiana Association for Justice and The American Association for Justice.
Our experienced New Orleans car accident lawyer will handle every aspect of your case. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Who Is Responsible for My Damages After a Lyft Accident in New Orleans?
Several different parties may be legally responsible for your damages, including:
- A negligent Lyft driver who caused the crash
- Third-party drivers
- Lyft’s insurance, depending on the driver’s status
- Government agencies responsible for safe road conditions
- Manufacturers of defective auto components
The answer to this question really depends on how and why the crash occurred. Our team will examine every angle as we’re building your case. Multiple sources of compensation may be available and we know how to pursue every dollar.
How Does Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Work in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, the driver who causes a crash is primarily responsible for the victim’s damages. That means it’s important to understand how insurance works.
Lyft might provide different levels of insurance coverage. It depends on the driver’s status and the identity of the responsible party.
Here’s how it works:
Lyft App On–Driver is Waiting for a Passenger Request
Assuming the driver is logged into the Lyft app and available to take a passenger’s request, Lyft covers:
- Up to $50,000 per injury victim
- Up to $100,000 per accident
- Up to $25,000 in property damage
This policy is available if the at-fault driver’s personal insurance refuses to cover the claim or isn’t enough to cover your damages.
Lyft Driver Has Taken a Passenger Request
Lyft’s most generous policy is available if:
- The driver has accepted a passenger request and is on the way to pick them up, or
- A ride is in progress, so a passenger is in the Lyft vehicle
$1 million in third-party liability coverage is available in these situations. Lyft also provides underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage is available whether you were a passenger, driver in another vehicle or even a pedestrian walking down the street.
Lyft App Off
When a Lyft driver is not actively available to take rides, their personal car insurance applies. The accident is treated like any other car accident.
Third-Party Coverage for Lyft Passengers
If you were a passenger and someone other than your Lyft driver caused the crash, that driver will be responsible. You’ll start by filing a claim with their insurance.
However, if they’re underinsured–or entirely uninsured–Lyft’s insurance may provide coverage.
How Much Is My New Orleans Lyft Accident Case Worth?
At the end of the day, each personal injury case involves a unique set of facts. Your case value will depend on those facts.
Key facts include:
- The type of injuries you’ve suffered, and their severity
- The strength of the evidence to establish liability
- Your prognosis for making a full medical recovery
- The value of any income you’ve lost during recovery
- Anticipated future needs and impacts
- Your day-to-day struggles, pain and suffering
- Whether you share any fault, and how much
Your lawyer’s skill and experience is also important. Our New Orleans car accident attorney has extensive experience negotiating successful settlements. We also have access to experts whose testimony we can leverage to establish your case value.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Lyft Accident Victims in New Orleans?
Two important types of damages are available to personal injury victims in Louisiana: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Examples of compensatory damages in personal injury cases include:
- Medical expense coverage for ER visits, hospitalization, doctor’s visits, etc.
- Lost wages during recovery
- Lost earning capacity and long-term disability
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium in fatal injury cases
These damages are meant to ease the burdens associated with an accident, whether those burdens are financial or deeply personal.
How Can Louisiana’s Shared Fault Laws Impact the Value of My Lyft Accident Claim?
Your case value will be reduced if you share any fault. If you’re deemed to be mostly responsible, you could lose your right to compensation entirely.
Louisiana operates on a modified comparative negligence system for personal injury claims. Under state law, if you are found to be 50% or less at fault, your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation.
Insurance companies often try to exaggerate the facts to pin blame on victims. Our team knows how to respond to these allegations and protect your interests.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Lyft Accident in New Orleans?
Financial stress can be significant after an accident and injury. When you hire the Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC, you don’t have to worry about upfront costs. We work on a contingency fee basis.
If we win a jury verdict or settle your claim, we receive a percentage to cover our attorneys’ fees. Otherwise, you pay us nothing. We’ll discuss this structure in detail at the outset, so you’ll know what to expect.
We Represents Clients With All Kinds of Lyft Accident Injuries
Like any car accident, rideshare accidents can cause devastating injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Chest and thoracic in juries
- Crushing injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Shoulder injuries
- Whiplash and other soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Back injuries and herniated discs
- Head and neck injuries
- Severe bruising and bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- The wrongful death of a loved one
These injuries can dramatically impact your daily life. Best case scenarios often involve significant medical costs and lost income. More serious injuries can lead to long-term disability and lasting impairments that permanently impact the victim’s quality of life.
What Causes Most Lyft Accidents in New Orleans?
Lyft drivers often deal with unique challenges on the road. They’re dealing with GPS and may be navigating unfamiliar areas. That’s no excuse for causing an accident.
In our experience, some of the most common causes of rideshare accidents include:
- Distracted driving, including paying more attention to the Lyft app than the road
- Speeding to finish rides faster
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating and other aggressive driving behaviors
- Ignoring stop signs, red lights and other traffic signals
- Drunk driving or drug use
- Drowsy and fatigued Lyft drivers
- Dangerous road conditions
To recover compensation, you’ll have to prove someone else was responsible for the crash. That means you’ll need to identify the cause–or causes–of the accident.
How Can I Establish Liability After a Lyft Accident in Louisiana?
Most victims must prove negligence. Negligence is a failure to use reasonable caution.
Our team will collect many different forms of evidence while building your case, including:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Cell phone data
- Witness statements
- Video footage
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
We have the resources to conduct a thorough investigation to prove liability.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Lyft Accident in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases. Miss the deadline, and you’ll almost always lose your right to sue for damages. Exceptions are rare, so it’s always smart to act sooner rather than later.
Contact a Trusted New Orleans Lyft Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
Don’t wait to seek legal advice after a Lyft accident in New Orleans. At the Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC, we offer a free case review. There’s never any risk in learning about your legal options. Call today to learn how an experienced New Orleans Lyft accident attorney can fight for the money you deserve.
