If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving a Lyft driver, you might wonder if you can sue Lyft itself for your injuries. The short answer is yes, but it’s not always simple.
You need to understand when and how you can take legal action against Lyft. This is the only way you can get the compensation you deserve. Knowing the details can make a big difference in your case, especially if you’re looking to sue Lyft for an accident.
How Does Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Work?
Lyft isn’t like a normal employer with regular drivers. They use independent contractors who drive their own cars. Because of this, the insurance coverage changes depending on what the driver is doing when the accident happens.
If the driver isn’t logged into the Lyft app at all, only their personal car insurance applies. So, Lyft doesn’t cover anything in that case.
If the driver is logged in but waiting for a ride, Lyft offers some backup insurance (called contingent coverage), and it kicks in only if the driver’s own insurance doesn’t cover the accident. This coverage pays up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries.
When the driver accepts a ride and is driving a passenger, Lyft’s driver’s insurance steps up. They provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage during this time. This is the most important insurance because it’s designed to protect passengers, pedestrians, and others injured in crashes.
When Can You Hold Lyft Legally Responsible?
Usually, if a Lyft driver causes an accident, you file a claim against the driver’s insurance or Lyft’s insurance, depending on the driver’s app status. But sometimes, you want to sue Lyft itself, not just the driver.
Why? Because Lyft treats its drivers as independent contractors, so Lyft tries to avoid responsibility for what the drivers do behind the wheel. However, Lyft has duties beyond just providing insurance. They have to make sure they hire safe drivers and supervise them properly. If Lyft messes up in those areas, you can sue Lyft directly.
For example, if Lyft hired someone without doing proper background checks, and that person caused your accident, Lyft could be held responsible for negligent hiring. This means Lyft didn’t do their homework before letting a dangerous driver on the road.
Lyft also has to watch its drivers and remove anyone who is unsafe or causes problems. If Lyft ignores complaints or warning signs and lets a dangerous driver keep working, that’s negligent supervision or negligent retention. You might be able to sue Lyft for letting a risky driver stay active, which then caused your injury.
Other Situations Where Lyft Might Be Sued
Sometimes, the cause of the accident isn’t just the driver’s behavior. If the Lyft vehicle itself had a problem, for instance, if it had faulty brakes or a stuck accelerator, and that caused the crash, you might be able to sue the car manufacturer or parts supplier instead.
Or, if the accident happened because of bad road conditions like potholes, broken traffic lights, or missing signs, the government entity responsible for road maintenance could be liable.
In accidents involving Lyft, sometimes there are multiple parties responsible. This can make things complicated, but it also means you might be able to get more compensation by including everyone who contributed to the crash.
Why is it Sometimes Hard to Sue Lyft?
Suing Lyft is complicated because of how their insurance policies work and how the law treats their drivers. Lyft and the driver’s personal insurance companies often argue about who should pay for the accident, especially if the driver was logged in but not actively driving for Lyft.
Insurance companies try hard to avoid paying more than they have to. So, you have to prove clearly that the Lyft driver was at fault, how serious your injuries are, and which insurance applies in your case. Without solid proof and a strong legal strategy, it can be tough to get what you deserve.
Overall, if your accident was caused by another driver or vehicle problems, other parties might also be responsible. Working with a rideshare accident attorney helps you sort through all this to get the best outcome.
