If you’re hurt in a Lyft accident in Spring Hill, Tennessee, there are some extra things you need to do to safeguard your rights. Here’s what you need to know if you’re hurt in a Tennessee ride-hailing incident. Tennessee Accident Law is here to educate and assist you.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a Lyft vehicle, you’re not alone. In fact, as ride-sharing services become more popular, the number of accidents is on the rise. Here are five of the most common causes of Lyft accidents in Tennessee so that you can be informed and prepared.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of, if not the most common cause of car accidents. Lyft drivers are especially prone to distraction, whether it be from their phones, other passengers, or something else. If a driver isn’t focused on the road ahead, they pose a hazard to everyone around them.
2. Reckless Driving
Another major cause of vehicle accidents is reckless driving, which is also one of the most prevalent causes of Lyft car accidents. Speeding, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic are all examples of risky driving that can easily result in a collision.
3. Lyft Driver Error
An accident may sometimes be the result of nothing more than a blunder on the part of the Lyft driver. Maybe the driver took a wrong turn or failed to spot another vehicle in their blind spot, for example. Whatever the cause, if a Lyft driver causes an accident, they (as well as their employer) may be held accountable for any associated injuries or damages.
4. Poorly Maintained Vehicles
Although Lyft drivers are required to keep their cars in good operating order, this is not always the case. Because of mechanical problems like brake failure or tire blowouts, a driver utilizing an ill-maintained vehicle may be more likely to have an accident. In other situations, bad windshield wipers that make it difficult for the driver to see in inclement weather can cause an accident.
5. Road Hazards
Of course, factors outside of a driver’s control, such as potholes or trash on the road, can occasionally result in an accident. In these circumstances, determining who is to blame for an accident may be challenging; nevertheless, you might be able to get compensation from your insurance company or the municipality that is responsible for maintaining the road if you’ve been injured in a collision caused by a roadside hazard.
Common Lyft Accident Injuries
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a Lyft accident, you may be confused about the most frequent injuries and how to treat them. Here’s a list of the most prevalent injuries caused by these vehicles, as well as some guidance on what to do next.
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most severe injuries that could come from any car accident. TBIs have a broad scope of potential symptoms, including but not limited to: headaches, dizziness, memory issues, and mood swings. If you or someone close to you was in a Lyft accident and are now displaying any signs of a TBI professional medical help must be received without delay.
2. Neck Injuries
Car accidents often cause neck injuries, especially when the other car hits yours from the side. These sorts of injuries can include Whiplash, which is when your neck moves forward then abruptly backward so hard that it damages soft tissue. Even if treatment isn’t required, Whiplash itself is painful.
3. Back Injuries
Back injuries aren’t uncommon in car accidents. They can include anything from sprains and strains to herniated discs or paralysis. If you or a loved one is experiencing back pain after a Lyft accident, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible.
4. Broken Bones
Not all car accident injuries are immediately noticeable. Bone fractures, for example, can happen even in low-speed collisions. If you experience any pain after an accident, it’s important to seek medical attention right away—even if you don’t think the injury is serious.
5. Internal Injuries
Minor injuries are one of the most serious types of injuries that can occur in any kind of vehicle accident. These sorts of ailments might include organ damage, internal bleeding, and even death. You should see a doctor if you or someone close to you has been in a Lyft accident and is experiencing abdominal discomfort, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
About Lyft Accident Claims
If you or a loved one has been hurt—or worse, killed—in a Lyft accident in Spring Hill, Tennessee, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. We’ll provide an overview of everything you need to know about Lyft accident claims in Spring Hill, Tennessee, from how to tell if you have a case to what kind of compensation you might be eligible for, in this blog post.
Do I Have a Case?
The first step in pursuing any kind of injury claim is determining whether or not you have a case. To do this, consider the following three questions: Was someone else to blame for the accident? Did the event result in injuries? And are those injuries serious enough to justify filing a lawsuit? If you can say “yes” to all three of those questions, you probably have grounds for action.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect?
If you’ve been hurt in a Lyft accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, missed income, pain and suffering, and other costs. The amount of compensation you might expect will be determined by your injuries’ severity and other circumstances unique to your situation.
How Do I File a Claim?
A claim against Lyft following an accident might be difficult to pursue. The first step is to gather as much evidence as possible to support your case. Medical records, photographs or videos of the collision scene, and witness testimonies are all examples of this kind of documentation. You’ll need to contact a seasoned personal injury lawyer afterward who can assist you throughout the procedure and ensure that your rights are protected.
Who is Responsible for My Lyft Accident Injuries?
Although Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors by the company, it may not be held liable if one of its drivers causes an accident. Also, if you’re hurt by a Lyft driver, several insurance companies will refuse to pay out or provide low settlement offers. As a result, you must retain the services of an attorney with expertise in accidents involving Lyft drivers.
Lyft drivers all have auto insurance, but they aren’t necessary to have commercial insurance. If you’re hurt in an accident Lyft driver caused, and it’s their fault, you could receive money from the company’s $1 million liability policy.
You may be able to get compensated for losses from the vehicle’s driver if you have a commercial auto insurance policy or if your insurance policy covers ridesharing.
You could be able to file an insurance claim against either the other driver or Lyft, based on who caused the accident. Nevertheless, because Lyft’s drivers are not employees, it might be tough to hold the company accountable for its drivers’ actions.
What Does Tennessee Law Say About Lyft Accidents?
If you’ve been in a rideshare accident in Tennessee, you might be wondering what your legal options are. Here’s a brief overview of the law and some potential next steps for seeking justice.
Ridesharing has increased in popularity, and with it, ridesharing accidents have become more frequent. While these occurrences may be costly, the law in Tennessee does not provide customers many options for seeking compensation.
In Tennessee, ridesharing companies are regarded as transportation network companies (TNCs). TNCs are not subjected to the same rules as traditional taxi and limousine firms. TNCs are not required to have commercial insurance policies with high coverage limits, for example. This implies that if you’re hurt in an Uber accident, the driver’s insurance may not cover all of your losses.
Furthermore, many TNC drivers do not have the requisite training or experience to drive their vehicles safely. This dearth of supervision can result in critical accidents. Moreover, because the state does not regulate TNCCs, there is no certainty that their drivers will be correctly insured or trained.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lyft Accident Lawsuit?
In general, the statute of limitations is the period you have to bring legal action following an accident. After the statute of limitations runs out, you will be unable to pursue legal action against the party responsible for your injuries any longer. In Tennessee, personal injury claims have a one-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident. This implies that if you were hurt in a Lyft car accident, you have one year after the incident to pursue legal action against Uber.
However, there are several exceptions to this general rule. For example, if you were not immediately aware that you had been injured in the accident, the one-year statute of limitations may not start until you discover or should have reasonably discovered your injuries. Furthermore, if the individual who inflicted your damage is a government employee, you might be able to file a lawsuit under the Governmental Tort Liability Act for an additional year.
Note that these are rough guidelines- always speak to a knowledgable personal injury lawyer 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 someone you care about was harmed in a Lyft collision in Spring Hill, Tennessee, the first thing you should do is speak with an attorney. Though it may be tempting to contact the insurance company and begin working on a settlement, I urge you to resist that temptation. Here’s why:
The insurance company’s interests are opposed to yours. They want to pay out as little money as possible on claims, and they will use anything you tell them against you to achieve that goal. The person you speak with may be friendly, but their primary objective is saving the company money – not getting you the compensation you’re owed.
You need a lawyer who is an expert fighter and negotiator, someone who will fearlessly protect your interests while also guiding you through the sometimes confusing legal process.
If you’re in Tennessee, you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim. Make sure to use this time carefully so that you can find an excellent lawyer with a solid case strategy.
How are We Different from Other Firms?
We genuinely care about our clients. We’re not simply looking to get your case behind us as soon as possible so that we can move on to the next one. We want to make sure you receive all of the justice and compensation you deserve.
Furthermore, we have dealt with scenarios similar to yours in the past. We understand how to construct a solid case for you and know what it takes to win an accident case on Lyft.
Third, we’re not afraid to tackle the most challenging cases. We’re not going to back down because the other side has more resources than we do. By leveraging our experience and knowledge, we level the playing field.
We understand that this process can be difficult and confusing, which is why we’ll be with you from beginning to end. We’ll answer any questions you have and keep you in the loop regarding your case’s status so that you’re always aware of what’s going on.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Lyft Accident Case?
When you’re considering whether to hire a lawyer for your Lyft accident case, there are several things you should think about. Here is some guidance that will hopefully help you make the best call for yourself and your loved ones.
1. The Severity of Your Injuries:
The extent of your injuries is one of the primary determining factors in whether or not you should hire an attorney. More severe injuries usually require medical intervention and time off from work, meaning lost wages. If this is the case, it would be beneficial to have a lawyer on your side fighting for the compensation you are legally entitled to.
2. The Liability of the Other Driver:
When determining whether or not to hire a lawyer after an accident, consider who is at fault. If the other driver made the mistake and has insurance, you might not need legal help to get a fair settlement from their company. But if there’s debate about who caused the wreck or if the other driver doesn’t have any coverage, hiring an attorney will give you the best chance of getting monetarily compensated.
3. The Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer:
Even if the other driver is clearly to blame, your insurance company may try to lowball you with their first settlement offer. If this happens, it’s usually best to get counsel so they can help you negotiate for a higher amount of money.
4. Your Ability to Handle the Case Yourself:
In addition, weigh how confident you are in taking care of the case by yourself. If any part feels foreign to you or if time commitment is an issue, then look into hiring a lawyer. A decent professional will take care of all details while giving you leeway to focus on your well-being.
How Much Do We Charge?
The first thing you should be aware of is that we don’t charge by the hour, like other lawyers. We work on a contingency basis rather than getting paid unless you succeed. So, you can relax knowing that we’ll only take on your case if we think we can win it.
The percentage is decided by the complexity of your case and how much work it takes. For example, if your situation is straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of investigation or negotiation, our price will be on the lower end. If your matter is more complicated or goes to trial, though, our fee will be on the higher side.
You don’t have to pay us a dime until we win your case, and even then, our fee is deducted from the settlement or verdict sum. Worrying about money should be the least of your concerns.
Where Do I Start This Process of Pursuing a Recovery for My Loss?
If you’re injured in a Lyft accident in Spring Hill, Tennessee, the first step is to go to the hospital or see a doctor. It’s essential to have your injuries looked at as soon as possible, even if they seem minor. Not only will this make sure you get proper treatment, but it also creates documentation of your injuries that can help support your compensation case.
If you or a loved one is hurt in an accident, don’t hesitate to contact us for help. Personal injury law is sophisticated, and insurance companies will employ a team of attorneys to fight claims as much as possible. You’ll need an advocate on your side who will fight for your rights and get you the full compensation you deserve.
At Tennessee Accident Law, we’ve got nearly 25 years of experience with personal injury cases. We understand what it takes to win these claims, and we’ll work tirelessly on your behalf to get you the best possible result. For a free consultation, contact us now.
Conclusion:
If you’re in a Lyft accident, there are a few more things you can do to safeguard your rights. If you or someone you know has been hurt in a Lyft accident, the experienced attorneys at Tennessee Accident Law are here to assist – contact us now for a free consultation.
