Mount Vernon Lyft Accident Lawyer

The rules of the road are designed with drivers’ best interests in mind. When drivers look out for one another, passengers, pedestrians, and other parties stay safer. Even a driver’s best intentions can still result in an accident, though. In these cases, all involved parties have to consider how best to proceed.

If you’ve been involved in a ridesharing accident, know that you’re not alone. When insurance doesn’t cover your losses, you can turn to a Mount Vernon Lyft accident attorney. The team with Morelli Law Firm can help you fight for financial support.

Responding to a Lyft Accident

In the immediate aftermath of a Lyft accident, New York deems it your responsibility to take care of your losses. All injured parties must file a claim with their insurance companies under New York’s no-fault policy. That said, injured parties who have their claims denied or under-supported have the right to then pursue financial compensation in court.

To pursue compensation in civil court, you need to file a complaint. This document helps you bring your losses to the attention of a judge. From there, you’ll have the legal support to fight for the financial support you deserve.

Note that filing a complaint does not mean that you’re going to take your case to trial. Rather, when you file a complaint, you give yourself the legal footing to request compensation from another party. While your case may go to trial, you can also keep negotiations outside of the courtroom.

Duty of care is a core part of the average Lyft accident complaint. This duty describes a person’s roadway responsibility. Drivers who uphold their duty of care are expected to follow the rules of the road and go to reasonable means to protect one another from harm. 

If you want to establish liability in your initial complaint, you need to establish the duty of care that another party owed you. You can work with Lyft accident lawyers in Mount Vernon to further elaborate on:  

• The identity of the party meant to act in your best interest
• How the aforementioned party violated their duty of care
• How that violation related to your losses

If you have evidence or third-party statements backing the aforementioned statements, include them in your complaint. These witnesses can make your negotiations simpler.

How Lyft’s Drivers Benefit From Its Insurance

Lyft only offers insurance to its on-duty drivers. The company only considers drivers to be on duty when using its app. This means that you’re only covered by Lyft’s insurance if driving passengers, accepting a ride, or using the Lyft app.

Your off-hours are subsequently considered your own responsibility. If you’re using your car for personal purposes at the time of an accident, you’ll have to file a claim with your provider. Similarly, drivers waiting for a ride without using Lyft’s app are responsible for their own losses.

Passengers and Lyft’s Insurance

Passengers are always protected by Lyft’s car insurance. These parties may file their insurance claims with the company and fight for compensation as such.

 That said, parties that wish to file claims against either their Lyft driver or an unaffiliated party must do so on their own time. Interested parties can work with Lyft accident lawyers in Mount Vernon to determine liability and claim value.

At no point will Lyft provide passengers or their drivers with access to Mount Vernon Lyft accident attorneys. All parties interested in pursuing legal action need to connect with legal representation on their own.

Best Accident Practices for Unaffiliated Drivers

Lyft does not protect drivers who get hit by their employees. All unaffiliated drivers are expected to file claims with their own insurers, regardless of who might be at fault for their accident.

The question of fault is important to consider, though. If you’re hit by an on-duty Lyft driver, you can file a civil complaint against Lyft as a company. Comparatively, drivers hit by off-duty Lyft employees can file civil claims against that individual.

Arguing for Post-Accident Financial Support

In the aftermath of a Lyft accident, you may find yourself facing an onslaught of expenses. When you have to contend with medical bills, property damage, and even the trial of getting back to work, the deck may feel like it’s stacked against you. This doesn’t have to be the case. 

When you work with a Mount Vernon Lyft accident attorney, you have the opportunity to discuss the financial support you’re eligible for. For example, you can request compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Mobilities aides and pain management
• Property repairs and replacement
• Pain and suffering
• Lost opportunities for employment
• Funeral expenses
• Wrongful death

In some cases, a court may even see fit to apply punitive damages to your case. “Punitive damages” describe damages that account for gross negligence or reckless behavior. You may not request punitive damages ahead of time, but your finances will benefit from them should a judge find them applicable to your case.

Considering Lyft Settlements

When you get into an accident with a Lyft driver, there’s a good chance that Lyft will reach out to you. If Lyft offers you a settlement, you can choose to take it. You can also choose to negotiate what you’ve been offered. 

When you work with Mount Vernon Lyft accident lawyers, you can estimate your compensation on your own time. In turn, you can go into settlement negotiations with room to maneuver.

At the end of the day, make sure that Lyft is offering you the means to cover all your losses. If you can negotiate for a more comprehensive settlement, you’ll have an easier time getting your life back on track.

Important Deadlines to Keep in Mind

You have a limited amount of time in which you can file a Lyft accident complaint. New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules § 214 gives you three years to act on your losses. Failure to do so within this time period can see you waive your right to compensation. 

The statute of limitations is not meant to punish you for getting into an accident. Rather, this statute is designed to prevent expired cases from causing drivers and passengers undue stress. If you’re struggling to file within the state’s statute of limitations, call on a Lyft accident attorney in Mount Vernon for guidance.

Call a Lyft Accident Attorney in Mount Vernon Today

Lyft accidents have a significant impact on your sense of safety on the road. No matter what role you played in your accident, you still deserve the chance to discuss your related rights. That is where our Mount Vernon Lyft accident attorneys step in. We can help you fight for post-accident compensation.

If you’re ready to take action against another party, let Morelli Law Firm help you through the process. You can schedule your first case consultation via phone or courtesy of our online form.