Were you injured in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle in Bradenton, Florida? You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. A Bradenton car accident attorney at Garvin Injury Law is here to help you maximize the value of your claim and make things right.
Our Bradenton Lyft accident lawyers bring more than 50 years of experience to the table and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients. We’ll handle all of the settlement negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf and won’t hesitate to take your case to court if necessary as well.
Contact our law offices today at (239) 277-0005 for a free consultation. We can answer any questions you might have about your case at that time.
Injured In A Lyft Accident In Bradenton, FL?
Contact An Attorney At Garvin Injury Law Today
Why Choose Garvin Injury Law After a Lyft Accident in Bradenton, Florida?
Lyft accidents bring a unique set of challenges that you won’t find in a typical car accident case. There are often questions about which insurance policy applies and who exactly can be held liable, including the possibility of taking action against Lyft itself. Trying to figure all of this out while recovering from an injury is a lot to handle on your own.
Garvin Injury Law has been helping accident victims in the area for decades. Our Bradenton Lyft accident lawyers understand how rideshare claims work in Florida and will make sure no stone is left unturned when it comes to maximizing what you recover. When you hire us, we can:
- Investigate the accident and determine who is at fault
- Figure out which insurance policies apply to your situation
- Protect you from allegations of comparative negligence
- Calculate the full value of your injuries and financial losses
- Handle all communication with Lyft’s insurer and any other carriers involved
- Negotiate for a settlement that reflects what your case is actually worth
- File a lawsuit if a fair offer isn’t made
We’ve gone up against large insurance companies time and time again and aren’t intimidated by their tactics. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Bradenton, FL, today to get started with your case.
Insurance Coverage in Florida Lyft Accident Cases
One of the trickiest parts of a Lyft accident claim is figuring out which insurance policy covers your losses. The answer depends on what the Lyft driver was doing at the time of the crash:
- App off: If the driver was off the clock and driving for personal reasons, only their personal auto insurance applies. Lyft’s commercial policies do not cover accidents during this time.
- App on, waiting for a request: Lyft provides a limited liability policy that kicks in if the driver’s personal coverage doesn’t fully cover the damages. The limits during this period are lower than during an active trip.
- Ride accepted or passenger on board: Lyft’s $1 million liability policy applies. This is the highest level of coverage and can make a significant difference in how much compensation is available.
Florida’s no-fault insurance system also plays a role. You’ll typically first file a claim through your own personal injury protection (PIP) policy regardless of who caused the crash. PIP covers a portion of your medical bills and lost wages up to your policy limit, but it does not account for non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
However, if your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold under Florida Statute § 627.737 or if another exception applies, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and file a liability claim against the at-fault driver or Lyft’s insurer. Our rideshare accident attorneys can help you figure out whether your situation qualifies.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in Bradenton
Lyft drivers in Bradenton face many of the same hazards as any other motorist, but the nature of rideshare work can increase the risk. Drivers are often checking the app for ride requests and feeling pressure to pick up and drop off passengers quickly. Some of the most common causes of Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding to reach a pickup location
- Sudden stops and lane changes
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running traffic signals
- Fatigued driving during long shifts
- Impaired driving
Bradenton’s busier roads, including Cortez Road and US-41, see plenty of rideshare traffic throughout the day. The combination of heavy congestion and distracted driving makes these corridors a common site for accidents.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Lyft Accident in Bradenton?
If you’re able to file a claim beyond your PIP coverage, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills, including future treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Rehabilitatiaon and therapy costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages account for the personal impact of the accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Anxiety and depression
- Loss of companionship
In rare cases where the at-fault party’s behavior was especially reckless, punitive damages may also be available. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and are not awarded in every case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lyft Accident Claim in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t take legal action before that deadline, you could lose the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party entirely.
For no-fault PIP benefits, the timeline is even shorter. You generally need to seek initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for PIP coverage under Florida law. Missing that window could cost you access to benefits that would otherwise help cover your medical expenses and lost wages.
There are limited exceptions that may affect these deadlines depending on the specifics of your case. The safest approach is to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as you can after the accident so that you don’t run into any timing issues.
Contact Our Bradenton Lyft Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Were you involved in a Lyft accident in Bradenton, FL? Garvin Injury Law is here to help you take action, with more than 50 years of experience and tens of millions already won for our deserving clients.
Call (239) 277-0005 today or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. Our Bradenton Lyft accident attorneys work on contingency, so you only pay attorney’s fees if we win compensation for you.