Were you injured in a collision with a rideshare vehicle? Whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, accidents like these often open the door to legal challenges galore, especially when multiple parties and insurance companies are involved.
Trying to sort through it all while simultaneously recovering from your injuries will likely feel impossible, but you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. Instead, let a rideshare accident lawyer in Waltham from Jason Stone Injury Lawyers handle the legal side of things for you.
With 21-plus years in business, we’ve recovered more than $250 million for over 15,000 people. We take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home, and we’ll advocate for your rights as your Lyft accident lawyer in Waltham.
Identifying Who Will Likely Be Liable After the Crash
When your Waltham car accident lawyer looks at the details of your case, your attorney will take it upon themselves to start the process of determining liability in your case. It’s not always clear who’s at fault for the crash, especially when you consider how many people could share liability.
Many people assume that the at-fault driver is the Lyft driver, but it’s possible that other parties also share responsibility. Let’s take a closer look at those who are potentially at fault in your case:
- The Lyft driver: Personal negligence in the form of speeding, driving while distracted, or failing to yield could make them directly liable.
- Another motorist on the road at the time of the collision: Other people on the road at the time of the crash could have played a role in the accident, and if they did, their insurer will likely become the primary source of compensation.
- The rideshare company: Lyft could bear a portion of liability for the crash if the driver was actively working and using the app at the time of the incident.
For those who are injured as a result of the at-fault party or parties, the question often becomes, “Which insurance policy applies now?” Your Lyft accident lawyers in Waltham will focus on figuring out who’s at fault prior to pursuing compensation from the appropriate source.
Critical Evidence That Often Shapes Lyft Accident Claims
As your Waltham personal injury lawyer builds a claim in the aftermath of a crash that left you injured, some evidence will carry more weight than others. Gathering these items early on strengthens your position and helps your Lyft accident attorney in Waltham identify who should compensate you.
These are pieces of evidence that will likely be very important in your case:
- Trip records from the Lyft app: This includes the date and time of the ride request, as well as the driver’s status when the crash happened, the driver’s information, and details about the vehicle, namely its make and model.
- Police or accident report: This refers to driver statements, witness accounts, property-damage photos, and traffic citations, if they were issued.
- Medical records: This entails a thorough list of your injuries, diagnoses, treatment plans, therapy requirements, and prognosis for recovery.
- Vehicle damage photographs: These will depict the scene of the collision, the points of impact, the vehicle’s pre-accident condition, and any impact marks caused by the crash.
- Insurance information: This pertains to the Lyft driver’s personal policy. More specifically, your lawyer will want to know whether or not the driver disclosed their rideshare activity and whether or not the TNC policy applies in your case.
- Witness statements or surveillance footage: These are especially helpful if you were a passenger and you need to document either the driver’s behavior or the status of the ride. Your attorney will likely look into obtaining traffic cameras and body cam footage, if available.
How Your Injuries and Losses Will Be Evaluated
Beyond who caused the crash, your claim must show what you lost—or are likely to lose—as a result of the accident. Massachusetts state laws allow you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses when applicable.
Here’s what you will likely be able to recover with the help of your Lyft accident attorneys in Waltham:
- Past and future medical costs: This includes bills, surgeries, outpatient treatments, physical therapy, and assistive devices.
- Lost income and earning capacity: This refers to time off work, the diminished ability to continue working in the same role or in the same capacity, and the need to switch jobs as a result of the crash.
- Pain and suffering or emotional distress: This includes ongoing pain, reduced quality of life, and PTSD or anxiety caused by the crash.
- Property damage: This refers to the costs associated with repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as the loss of personal items and the diminution of your vehicle’s value.
- Long–term care: This applies to situations where your injuries cause permanent disability or require lifetime support, which then becomes part of the valuation.
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works in Massachusetts
The key regulation to know about insurance in Lyft crashes is Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 175, Section 228, which governs “transportation network drivers” and minimum liability coverage.
These are what coverage tiers typically include in cases like yours:
- The driver is offline and they are not logged into the app: In that case, the driver’s personal auto insurance often applies.
- The driver is logged into the app, but they are not carrying out a ride: In this case, at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage will likely be available, plus $30,000 property damage.
- The driver is either picking up or transporting a passenger: In this instance, at least $1 million per occurrence in bodily injury and property damage coverage applies.
Call Now to Receive Legal Advice From Our Waltham Lyft Accident Law Firm
Rideshare crashes are confusing and stressful, especially when multiple insurance companies are involved and no one seems to want to take responsibility. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but Jason Stone Injury Lawyers is here to offer reassurance and advocate for you.
Our Waltham Lyft accident lawyers prioritize holding negligent parties accountable on your behalf. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare-related incident, Better Phone Stone®. There’s no obligation—just information®.
With our Stone Cold Guarantee®, you’ll be able to count on us to keep our promises: we’ll treat you with care and are available 24/7 to handle your case with honesty. We’re proud to be a local Massachusetts firm because this is our home, and we take care of our own.
Not Trusting What You’re Being Told?
Better Phone Stone
(800) 577-5188
START MY NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION
