If you are unfortunate enough to be in a car accident, the experience is always quite stressful. If you additionally suffer injuries from a Lyft accident in Columbia, Tennessee, there are some extra steps you must take to preserve your rights. Here is what Tennessee residents need to know if they’re hurt in a Lyft accident.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents
If you or somebody close to you was in a Lyft accident, you may be questioning its cause. Unfortunately, as the use of ride-sharing services has increased, so has the number of accidents involving these vehicles. Here are five explanations for why these types of accidents occur most frequently in Tennessee.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most frequent causes of car accidents, yet it still happens far too often. Drivers can be distracted by their phones, other passengers, or anything else that takes their focus off the road. If a driver isn’t paying attention to their surroundings then they’re putting themselves and others in danger.
2. Reckless Driving
Among car accidents, many are caused by reckless driving; in fact, it is one of the most frequent reasons for Lyft accidents. To put it simply, Reckless driving constitutes any action on behind the wheel that could endanger others– speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic lanes without signaling.
3. Lyft Driver Error
An accident caused by a Lyft driver may be due to nothing more than an error on the part of the driver. For example, maybe the driver took a wrong turn or didn’t see another vehicle in their blind spot. If a Lyft driver’s mistake leads to an accident that hurts somebody or damages property, then the driver (and sometimes their employer) might be held legally responsible and required to pay compensation.
4. Poorly Maintained Vehicles
Although all Lyft drivers are required to keep their cars in excellent condition, some do not follow this rule. Poorly maintained vehicles put the driver at risk for accidents caused by mechanical failures, like brakes or tires blowing out. In other cases, bad windshield wipers can make it difficult to see during a storm, leading to an accident.
5. Road Hazards
Sometimes, an accident is due to uncontrollable circumstances such as road hazards like potholes or debris. If this happens, it might be hard to figure out who caused the accident; even so, you may still get compensation from your insurance company or the government organization in charge of roadway maintenance.
Common Lyft Accident Injuries
If you or someone close to you has been hurt or killed in a Lyft accident, you may be uncertain about what the most frequent injuries are and how they can be healed. Here is a list of the most typical injuries that take place in these accidents with some tips on what to do next.
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most detrimental injuries that can come from any car accident. TBIs present a variety of symptoms, such as headaches and dizziness to memory problems, and mood swings. If you or anyone close to you was in a Lyft accident recently and are now presenting TBI symptoms, medical attention must be sought.
2. Neck Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury that often occurs during car accidents, especially when the impact comes from the side. It’s caused by the forcible snapping of the neck forward and then back again, which damages soft tissue. Whiplash can be quite painful and might necessitate long-term treatment.
3. Back Injuries
Back injuries are unfortunately also rampant following car accidents. They can differ from mild sprains and strains to more serious conditions such as herniated discs or paralysis. If you or a loved one is hurting after being in a Lyft accident, it’s essential to go see a doctor right away.
4. Broken Bones
Bone fractures are unfortunately all too common in car accidents. They can be anything from a small fracture to more elaborate breaks and always result in pain. Oftentimes, surgery is required for healing. If you or anyone close to you has recently been injured in this way due to a Lyft accident, it’s of the utmost importance that you seek emergency medical treatment right away.
5. Internal Injuries
In any car accident, internal injuries are very dangerous and could cause long-term damage or even death. If you or someone close to you was in a Lyft accident and is now experiencing abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or chest pains, they must see a doctor right away.
About Lyft Accident Claims
If you or somebody close to you has been hurt—or killed—in a Lyft car crash in Columbia, Tennessee, you might be wondering what your options are. This blog post will give you an overview of everything from how to tell if you have a case and what kind of compensation you may deserve.
Do I Have a Case?
If you want to know whether or not you can file a personal injury claim, ask yourself the following questions: Was somebody else responsible for the accident? Did the accident cause injuries? And are those injuries grave enough to sue? If your answer to all three questions is yes, then it’s likely that you have a case.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect?
If you were hurt in an accident involving a Lyft, you might be able to get compensated for several things, like hospital bills, missed work days, and emotional anguish. The total amount of money you could get will depend on how bad your injuries were and other details related to what happened.
How Do I File a Claim?
The first step to filing a claim against Lyft is collecting as much evidence as you can to back up your argument. This could be medical records, pictures or videos from the accident scene, and witness testimonies. Once you have all this information compiled, speak with a personal injury lawyer who knows what they’re doing so they can help direct you through the process and make sure your rights are being defended.
Who is Responsible for My Lyft Accident Injuries?
If you’re ever injured in an accident with a Lyft driver, it’s important to know that the company may not be held responsible. Since drivers who work for Lyft are considered independent contractors, many insurers will refuse to honor a claim or make small settlement offers if you’re injured by one of its drivers. Therefore, you must hire a lawyer specializing in accidents involving Lyft drivers.
Though all Lyft drivers have their cars insured, they are not legally obligated to carry commercial insurance. If you’re injured in an accident and it was the Lyft driver’s fault, you could be compensated from the company’s $1 million liability policy.
If the driver has a commercial auto insurance policy with ridesharing coverage, you may be able to get compensated for damages from the operator of the vehicle.
Depending on who was at fault, you may be able to file an insurance claim against the other driver or Lyft. However, it can be difficult to hold the company accountable for its drivers’ actions since they are not employees.
What Does Tennessee Law Say About Lyft Accidents?
Unfortunately, the law in Columbia, Tennessee does not protect victims of rideshare accidents as much as it should. We will explain why and give you some options for pursuing justice.
With the increasing presence of rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber, accidents involving these vehicles are unfortunately also on the rise. If you or a loved one have been involved in such an accident, you may be feeling lost as to how to proceed, as current Tennessee law does not offer many avenues for victims to seek compensation.
In the state of Tennessee, companies such as Lyft and Uber are classified as transportation network companies (TNCs). TNCs have fewer regulations than taxi and limousine companies. For example, they aren’t required to get commercial insurance with high coverage limits. So if you’re ever injured in a Lyft accident, the driver’s insurance likely won’t cover all your damages.
Another issue is that many TNC drivers don’t have the appropriate training or experience to drive their vehicles safely. This lack of education could result in severe accidents. Additionally, because TNCs are not supervised by the state, there is no assurance that their drivers will be insured sufficiently or taught properly.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lyft Accident Lawsuit?
Tennessee law dictates that the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is one year from when the accident occurred. So, if you were injured in a Lyft accident, you would have one year from that date to file suit against Lyft.
There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. If you were unaware of any injuries directly after the accident occurred, then the one-year statute may not begin until you discovered or should have reasonably discovered your bodily harm. According to The Governmental Tort Liability Act, victims may also have more time to file a lawsuit if the person at fault is a government employee.
Note that these are general guidelines only, and you should always speak to a personal injury attorney experienced in your case’s specifics to determine the statute of limitations.
Don’t Talk to Anyone on the Other Side Before Speaking with a Lawyer
If you or a loved one was recently injured or killed in a Lyft accident, its essential that you call a lawyer as soon as possible. You might be tempted to speak with the insurance company first and get the legal process started, but I urge you not to do so. Here’s why:
The insurance company’s priority is not to help you; their goal is to give out the bare minimum on claims. They will use any information against you that you share with them, so it may seem like they’re being friendly and helpful when they’re not. The bottom line is that the insurance companies want to save money–not get accident victims the full compensation they are entitled to.
An excellent lawyer will do more than merely advocate for you; they will also have a firm understanding of the law and be able to get you the best possible outcome from your case. They will work on your behalf to settle the negotiation and help make jurisprudence simpler for you.
You’re not pressed for time to find a lawyer. In Tennessee, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim. This provides you with ample opportunity to locate an excellent attorney and make sure they are apprised of all necessary information for constructing a powerful case on your behalf.
How are We Different from Other Firms?
Justice and compensation are what you deserve, and we will make sure that’s exactly what you get. You’re not just another case to us that we want to quickly settle so we can move on–you’re our client, and we care about you.
More than that, we have experience with managing Lyft accident cases–we know exactly what to do and how to get results for you.
Lastly, we’re not scared to take on controversial cases. We won’t shy away just because the opposition has more money than us. With our years of experience and expertise, we even the playing field.
Lastly, we will always be here for you. We’ll help guide you through the process from start to finish and make sure all your questions are answered along the way. You can also expect us to keep you in the loop regarding developments with your case status.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Lyft Accident Case?
Here are a few things to mull over when trying to determine whether you should lawyer up for your Lyft accident case. Our goal is that this will allow you to make the wisest course of action for both you and your relatives.
1. The Severity of Your Injuries:
If you’re unsure about whether or not to legal counsel, consider the extent of your injuries. If they require medical care and time away from work, then it’s probably in your best interest to hire an attorney. This way, you increase the chance of receiving just compensation for what happened to you.
2. The Liability of the Other Driver:
Another crucial element to weigh is who caused the collision. If the other motorist is blatantly responsible, then you might not need an attorney because the insurance provider will most likely provide you with a reasonable resolution. Although, if there’s disputed liability or if the at-fault driver lacks insurance, then you’ll probably need legal assistance to obtain remuneration.
3. The Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer:
If you are in an accident and it is not your fault, the other driver’s insurance company may still offer you a low settlement amount. If this occurs, hiring a lawyer will help to ensure that you receive the full amount of compensation that you deserve.
4. Your Ability to Handle the Case Yourself:
Another thing to mull over is if you’re okay withShould you manage the case on your own or not? If you are questioning any element of your case or do not have time for it, then perhaps the better solution would be to find a lawyer. A decent lawyer will attend to every detail so that can focus on getting well again.
How Much Do We Charge?
Unlike other lawyers who charge by the hour, we work on a contingency basis. This means that you only pay us if we win your case. And when we do get paid, it’s a percentage of the settlement or verdict We recover for you. So, you can be confident knowing that taking your case is in our best interest and not just because of money.
The percentage we charge depends on how difficult the case is and how much work will be required. If your case is easy and doesn’t need a lot of extra time or effort, our fee will be lower. But if your case is more complicated or goes to court, our fee will be higher.
You don’t have to worry about our fee Or anything else for that matter. Why? Because we only get paid if we win your case, and even then our fee comes from the settlement/verdict amount—not out of your pocket.
Where Do I Start This Process of Pursuing a Recovery for My Loss?
If you’re hurt in a Lyft car crash in Columbia, Tennessee, the priority is to get medical help. Even if injuries appear minor, it’s vital to see a doctor right away. That way you’ll receive needed treatment and also have documented evidence of your injuries to back up any compensation claim.
Once you’ve sought medical attention, reach out to one of our injury lawyers. Personal injury law is complex and convoluted, so the insurance company will have an entire team of attorneys working against you. You need someone in your corner who knows how to navigate these murky waters and get you the full compensation for your injuries that you deserve.
If you’re seeking legal aid for your Lyft accident case, look no further than Tennessee Accident Law. We’ve successfully handled countless personal injury cases over 25 years and will do whatever it takes to convincingly argue on your behalf. Plus, our consultations are always free of charge.
Conclusion:
Getting into a car accident is always jarring, but if you’re hurt in a Lyft wreck, there are extra measures you must take to maintain your legal rights. At Tennessee Accident Law, our experienced attorneys can help you through this difficult time – call us now for a free consultation.