If you’re unfortunate enough to be in a car accident, it’s always stressful. If you’re then injured in a Lyft accident on top of that–like many people are each year– there are some additional steps you need to take to protect yourself and your rights in Brentwood, Tennessee. Here’s what Tennessee law says about these situations, and how you can Lyft (no pun intended) yourself out of this sticky legal situation.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents
Accidents involving Lyft vehicles are increasing as the ride-sharing service becomes more popular. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Lyft accident, you may be wondering what caused it and what your legal options are. Here are the five most common causes of Lyft accidents in Tennessee.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is not only one of the leading causes of car accidents in general, but also Lyft accidents. If a driver is distracted by their phone, other passengers, or anything else while behind the wheel, they become a danger to both themselves and others on the road.
2. Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is both a leading and common cause of car accidents, Lyft included. To be specific, speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic—all examples of reckless driving—are hazards that often result in accidents.
3. Lyft Driver Error
An accident might be caused by a mistake on the part of the Lyft driver. Maybe the driver took a wrong turn or didn’t see another vehicle in their blind spot. Whatever occurred, if it’s found that a Lyft driver made an error that led to an accident, they (and sometimes their employer) could be held liable for any resulting injuries or damages.
4. Poorly Maintained Vehicles
Although all Lyft drivers are supposed to take care of their cars, some do not. If a driver has a car that isn’t in good condition, they may be more likely to get into an accident because of problems such as brake failure or a tire blowout. In other cases, something like bad windshield wipers might cause an accident if the driver can’t see well during bad weather conditions.
5. Road Hazards
While factors like potholes or debris may seem out of any driver’s control, they could still be held accountable for an accident. If you were in such an incident, compensation might still be possible through your insurance company or the municipality keeping up the road.
Common Lyft Accident Injuries
Here is a list of the most common injuries that occur in Lyft accidents and some advice on what to do next, if you or a loved one have been unfortunately injured or killed.
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is one of the most dangerous injuries that can come from any car accident. A wide variety of symptoms may not show up immediately after an accident. These include but are not limited to: headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and mood swings. If you or someone close to you has been in a Lyft accident and began displaying any kind of these issues, it’s pivotal that medical attention is sought out as soon as possible.’
2. Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are very common in car accidents, especially when the accident is a side impact. These types of injuries can include whiplash, which is when the neck snaps forward and then back with such force that it causes damage to soft tissue. Whiplash can be painful and may require ongoing treatment.
3. Back Injuries
You must see a doctor right away if you have back pain after being in a Lyft accident.4 Back injuries are unfortunately very frequent among those who have been involved in car accidents, and they can vary from sprains to herniated discs to paralysis. If you’re feeling any discomfort related to your accident, don’t hesitate to get help.
Broken Bones
Bone injuries from car accidents, whether it be a small fracture or something more major, can cause immense pain. If you’ve been in a Lyft accident and have any broken bones, go to the ER immediately.
5. Internal Injuries
Car accidents can result in a range of injuries, some more severe than others. Internal injuries are among the most dangerous and can include organ damage, internal bleeding, or death. If you or someone close to you was recently involved in a Lyft accident and is now experiencing abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain, you must seek medical attention immediately.
About Lyft Accident Claims
If you or a loved one has been injured—or killed—in a Lyft accident in Brentwood, Tennessee, you may be wondering what your next steps are. In this blog post, we’ll give you an overview of everything you need to know about Lyft accident claims in Tennessee, from how to tell if you have a case to what kind of compensation you may be entitled to.
Do I Have a Case?
To know if you have a personal injury case, ask yourself these three questions: Was the accident caused by someone else? Did the accident cause any injuries? Are those injuries bad enough that I should file a claim? If you answered yes to all three, then it is likely that you do have a case.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect?
If you were hurt in a Lyft car crash, you may be qualified to receive various types of damages, like medical bills, missed wages from work, discomfort and suffering, and more. The amount of money you might get will rely on the intensity of your injuries and other circumstances associated with your case.
How Do I File a Claim?
If you want to file a claim against Lyft after an accident, the first step is gathering enough evidence. This includes medical records, pictures or videos from the accident scene, and witness statements. With this documentation ready contact a personal injury attorney for help navigating the process and protecting your rights every step of the way.
Who is Responsible for My Lyft Accident Injuries?
If you are involved in an accident with a Lyft driver, the company may not be held accountable because its drivers are considered independent contractors. Also, since many insurers will not give proper settlements if you’re injured by a Lyft driver, you must hire a lawyer who specializes in these types of accidents.
If you’re ever injured in an accident involving a Lyft driver, and the driver is found to be at fault, there’s no need to worry. All Lyft drivers are insured with a $1 million liability policy that will protect them in the case of an accident.
If the driver has a commercial auto insurance policy that covers ridesharing, you may be able to get compensated for damages from the collision.
Depending on who was at fault for the accident, you may be able to file an insurance claim against either the other driver or Lyft. However, since Lyft’s drivers are not employees, it can be difficult to hold the company responsible for its drivers’ actions.
What Does Tennessee Law Say About Lyft Accidents?
While it may not be as advantageous compared to other states, there are still ways that victims of rideshare accidents can pursue justice in Brenwood, Tennessee.
Since rideshare companies have increased in popularity, the number of accidents caused by them has also gone up. Even though these crashes can be severe, Tennessee law doesn’t offer many ways for victims to get restitution.
Rideshare companies, such as Lyft and Uber, in Tennessee, are classified as transportation network companies (TNCs). TNCs have less government regulation imposed on them than traditional taxi and limousine companies. For example, TNC drivers are not required to purchase commercial insurance policies with high coverage limits like taxis must. This means that if you get hurt in an accident while riding Lyft, the driver’s insurance policy may not fully cover your medical expenses and other damages.
TNC drivers often lack the training or experience needed to drive safely, which can result in accidents. Since TNCs are not regulated by the state, there is no way to ensure that their drivers have proper insurance coverage or training.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lyft Accident Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations is the time frame you have to file a lawsuit after an injury has occurred. If the expiration date passes, taking any legal action becomes void. In Tennessee, for personal injury claims, victims have one year from when the accident happened to sue; So if someone was hurt in a Lyft car crash, that person would have one year from the accident’s date to file against Lyft.
There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you were not immediately aware that you were injured in the accident, then the one-year statute of limitations may not begin until you discovered or should have reasonably discovered your injuries. Additionally, if the person who caused your injuries is a government employee working within the scope of their employment at the time of your accident, then you most likely will have more time to file a lawsuit under state law.
Always keep in mind that these are simply general guidelines. You should always speak to a professional personal injury attorney to learn more about the statute of limitations for your particular case.
Don’t Talk to Anyone on the Other Side Before Speaking with a Lawyer
If you or a close one has experienced an injury or wrongfully passed away in a Lyft accident located in Tennessee, the initial thing you need to do is contacted an attorney. I understand it can be difficult to contact the insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement, but it’s better in the long run if handled by professionals. Let me explain why:
The insurance company’s priority is not to help you. Their goal is to save the company money by giving out as little compensation as possible on claims. Even if they seem friendly, anything you tell them can and will be used against you in negotiations.
You need a lawyer who will protect your interests and get you the best possible outcome. When you’re up against an insurance company, you need someone familiar with the law to stand up for you and fight for a fair settlement. A good lawyer can also bargain on your behalf and guide you through the often-confusing legal process.
Although you may feel overwhelmed after an accident, it’s important to remember that you have time to consult with a personal injury lawyer. In Tennessee, most individuals have up to two years from the date of their accident claim. This allows you to find competent legal representation and ensure they have everything needed for your case.
How are We Different from Other Firms?
We always have our client’s best interest at heart. We’re not interested in quickly settling your case so that we never have to hear from you again. We want you to get the justice and compensation that you richly deserve.
In addition, our team has extensive experience with Lyft accident cases. We know how to put together a robust case that will fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Thirdly, we take on big cases with ease. We refuse to budge simply because the other company has more assets than us. By utilizing our past experiences and present knowledge, we create a balance between us and them.
We understand that going through a legal case can be confusing and difficult, so we promise to always be available for you. We’ll answer any questions you have and keep you updated on the status of your case so that you know what’s happening every step of the way.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Lyft Accident Case?
Before deciding on whether or not to hire a lawyer for your Lyft accident case, let’s look at some of the key factors you should consider. It is our goal that this article provides you with enough information so you can make the best choice for yourself and your loved ones.
1. The Severity of Your Injuries:
When choosing if you should obtain legal assistance, one of the introductory things to think about is how major your injuries are. If they’re severe, then most likely you will need medical care and could take time off from work. In these situations, it’s often best to get a lawyer so they can assist you in getting the recompense you ought to have.
2. The Liability of the Other Driver:
You should also think about who caused the accident when you’re making your decision. If the other driver is definitely to blame, you might not need a lawyer because the insurance company will probably give you a reasonable settlement. But if there’s disagreement over who was at fault or if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, hiring a lawyer to help get compensation is likely your best bet.
3. The Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer:
Insurance companies will often lowball you with their initial settlement offer, even if the other driver is clearly at fault. In this case, it is best to hire a lawyer so they can negotiate on your behalf and help ensure you are fairly compensated.
4. Your Ability to Handle the Case Yourself:
Lastly, factor in if you’re confident enough to tackle the case by yourself. If any part of the process intimidates you or if you don’t think have time for it outside your job and other responsibilities, then consider hiring a lawyer. A decent one will pre-handle everything so that can Energy is solely dedicated to healing.
How Much Do We Charge?
Most lawyers charge by the hour, but we don’t. We work on a contingency basis, which means you only pay us if we win your case. If we do get paid, it’s a percentage of the settlement or verdict we recover for you. So, you can be confident that we will only take on your case if we believe it is one that we can win.
The percentage we charge for our services varies depending on the type of case and how much work is required. If your case is relatively straightforward and doesn’t need extensive investigation or negotiation, you can expect to pay a lower rate. However, if your case is more complex or has to go to trial, you’ll be charged at the higher end of our fee scale.
You don’t have to pay us a dime unless we win your case, and even then, our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict. So relax knowing that you won’t have to worry about spending any of your own money on our services.
Where Do I Start This Process of Pursuing a Recovery for My Loss?
If you’re injured in a Lyft accident in Brentwood, Tennessee, the first thing you should do is go to the hospital or see a doctor as soon as possible. This will create an official record of your injuries that can help support your compensation claim later on.
After you’ve seen a doctor and tended to your immediate medical needs, the next step is finding a good personal injury lawyer. Personal injury law can be complex, and insurance companies will have their lawyers working to make sure they don’t have to pay out too much on claims. You need someone to advocate for you–someone who will fight for your rights and help you get the full compensation that you deserve.
Tennessee Accident Law has the experience needed to handle your personal injury claim arising from a Lyft accident. With over 25 years in practice, we know how to win these cases and get you the best possible result. Get in touch with us now for a free consultation.
Conclusion:
Being in a car accident is always upsetting, but if you’re harmed in a Lyft collision, there are extra measures you need to take to safeguard your legal rights. If you or someone close to you was hurt in a Lyft incident, the seasoned attorneys at Tennessee Accident Law can assist – reach out to us today for a complimentary consultation.