Were you injured in a Lyft accident in Columbia, MO? In 2023, Lyft completed 709 million rides. With this many rides taking place, there are bound to be accidents involved. Lyft accidents can result in severe injuries, but these types of personal injury cases can be complicated.
If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. The attorneys at Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers can help. We have over 100 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of injury victims. Our team has recovered over $90 million for accident victims, and we are ready to help you get compensation for your injuries, too.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia Lyft accident lawyer at (803) 573-0869. Let us start putting together a winning strategy for your case immediately.
How Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Lyft Accident in Columbia
Lyft accidents in Columbia, South Carolina can be complex. Since the company has worked hard to have its drivers classified as independent contractors, you typically cannot sue Lyft directly for these accidents. However, Lyft does carry insurance that covers accidents in some situations.
You need an experienced Columbia personal injury attorney on your side who knows how to navigate these murky legal waters. Some ways we can help after your Lyft accident include:
- Investigating your accident to determine exactly what caused it and who is responsible
- Determining the Lyft driver’s status (off-duty, waiting on ride request, ride in progress) at the time of the accident to assess potential insurance coverage
- Handling all paperwork and documentation required for your case
- Managing all conversations and discussions with the insurance company
- Gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to help prove your claim
- Aggressively negotiating a full and fair settlement for your injuries
- Filing a lawsuit and litigating on your behalf when necessary
If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, contact Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers today. We will fight tirelessly to get you all the compensation to which you are entitled. Call us now to schedule your free consultation with a Columbia car accident lawyer.
An Overview of Lyft’s Insurance Coverage for Drivers
Lyft’s coverage for its drivers depends upon what they were doing at the time of the incident. Here are their different levels of coverage:
- When the App is Off: A driver is only covered by their personal auto insurance policy.
- When the App is On and the Driver is Waiting for a Ride Request: Lyft’s policy limits are as follows: $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
- When the App is On and the Driver is En Route for a Pickup: There is up to $1 million in coverage if a driver is en route.
Our attorneys can help you hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Lyft Accident?
There are multiple parties that can be held responsible for a Lyft accident.
- The Lyft Driver: If your driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident, they could be held liable for your damages.
- Lyft: If the accident was caused by a problem with the Lyft app, a lack of proper driver screening, or poor training, Lyft could be held responsible.
- Third Parties: If another driver or pedestrian was responsible for the accident, they could be held liable.
We can help you determine who is at fault for your accident and determine the amount they owe you for your damages.
What is My Lyft Accident Case Worth?
Like most personal injury cases, the value of your Lyft case depends heavily upon the severity of your injuries. Cases involving more severe injuries will be worth more, while cases involving only minor injuries will be worth less.
Lyft accident cases involving minor to moderate injuries are usually worth anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, on average. However, cases involving catastrophic injuries can be worth over $100,000 in some cases. Some additional factors that can affect the value of your case include:
- How much time you missed from work
- The total amount of your medical bills
- Your expected future medical needs
- Whether or not you will be able to work again
- How your injuries affect the quality of your life
The best way to get an accurate estimate of the value of your case is by talking to an experienced Lyft accident lawyer. Let Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers provide you with a free case evaluation to learn how much compensation you may be entitled to.
What Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Lyft accident victims in South Carolina are typically entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Respectively, these types of compensation repay victims for their financial losses and their physical and emotional trauma.
Economic damages have a specific financial value and are typically straightforward. There are usually bills, receipts, or other documentation that proves their exact value. Some common examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings capacity
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Physical therapy
- Home health care
On the other hand, non-economic damages are harder to calculate. These types of damages are more subjective and generally valued somewhere between 1.5 and 5 times the value of the economic damages associated with the case. Common non-economic damages present in Lyft accidents are:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of quality of life
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
If you have been involved in a Lyft accident, contact Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers today. We can evaluate your claim and determine all the damages you are entitled to.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lyft Accident Lawyer?
After an accident, you likely already have enough financial stress on your mind. You may be missing time from work, and your medical bills are starting to pile up. The last thing on your mind is paying to hire a lawyer.
The good news is that hiring a Lyft accident lawyer does not have to cost you any money upfront. Most Lyft accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer collects their fee as a portion of any money awarded to the client. If your lawyer does not win the case, they do not receive a fee.
Average contingency fees in these cases typically range from 30% to 40% of the total recovery. In South Carolina, contingency fee agreements must be in writing and signed by the client. Before signing the contract, make sure you fully understand the calculation method used to determine the fee.
At Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, you never owe us a fee unless we win your case. Contact us today to let us use our experience to your advantage.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Lyft Accident in South Carolina?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you are being partially blamed for your accident. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, a victim can still recover compensation as long as they are less than 51% responsible for the accident.
If you are found to be partially responsible, your recovery will be reduced by your pro rata share of the fault. For example, consider an accident in which you suffered $10,000 in damages but were found to be 20% at fault. You could still recover 80%, or $8,000, of your damages.
Insurance companies sometimes try to blame the victim to minimize or avoid paying claims. We can help defend you against those tactics. We will fully investigate your accident and help ensure that the responsible party is held accountable.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All of Your Lyft Accident Injuries
Lyft accidents can involve a number of different injuries. You could be injured as a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, a passenger in another vehicle, or even as a pedestrian. All of these types of accidents can result in severe injuries, including:
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Severe burns
- Dislocated joints
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Amputations
Many of these injuries can have life-altering effects. Victims may live with the aftermath of these injuries for the rest of their lives. If you have suffered an injury in a Lyft accident, let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Causes Most Lyft Accidents in Columbia, South Carolina?
Lyft drivers are often under a lot of stress. The more trips they complete, the more money they make. This payment structure provides an incentive for drivers to speed and remain on the road for long hours. Drivers might even turn to drugs to help them stay awake.
While not all Lyft accidents are the fault of the Lyft driver, most accidents are the result of someone’s negligence. Some of the top causes of Lyft accidents in Columbia are:
- Distracted driving
- Texting
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Poor weather conditions
- Poor visibility
- Failure to yield
- Improper turn
- Improper lane changes
We can help investigate your accident to determine who was at fault. Let us help you identify all potential defendants and hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Lyft Accident in South Carolina?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in South Carolina is typically three years. This means that you have three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. However, a few exceptions can make this deadline longer or shorter than the general rule.
Missing the filing deadline for your case can completely bar you from getting any compensation. This is why it is so important to seek the help of an experienced lawyer as soon after your accident as possible.
At Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, we can help determine the specific filing deadline for your case. We can ensure that your claim is filed in a timely manner so that you do not lose your right to recover compensation.
Contact Our Columbia Lyft Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a Lyft accident in Columbia, South Carolina, contact Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers today. You do not have to go through this difficult time alone. Let us help you fight to get all the compensation you deserve.
Call us to schedule a free consultation with one of our Columbia Lyft accident lawyers and learn more about how we can help you.
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers Columbia
1333 Main St #510, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 573-0869
Business Hours: 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Columbia, SC
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 34.0030848,-81.0346413
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We also have a secondary office in Columbia; you can find us at:
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Columbiana
380 Columbiana Dr Columbia, SC 29212
Phone: (803) 866-5522
Business Hours: 24/7
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 34.0857069,-81.1614417
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