Rideshare crashes are complicated, especially when multiple drivers and insurance policies are involved. No matter if you were a passenger, pedestrian, or another motorist on the road at the time of the incident, the experience often leaves people feeling shaken, hurt, and nervous.
You might feel overwhelmed, but you don’t need to handle this on your own. Let a Lyft accident lawyer in Haverhill guide you through the process. Whether it happened near the Merrimack River, on Route 97, or downtown, a rideshare accident lawyer in Haverhill can help you.
At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we’ve been protecting the rights of crash victims for 21+ years. We have helped more than 15,000 people recover over $250 million in compensation. Our attorneys take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home.
What Rideshare Crashes Look Like in Haverhill
Imagine you’re taking a Lyft home from work and scrolling through your phone. Then, out of nowhere, another vehicle slams into you, maybe on Washington Street or near Ginty Boulevard. An experience this is often very jarring for everyone involved.
For passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers, the impact often causes fractures, back injuries, concussions, internal trauma, or emotional distress. Rideshare collisions like these typically raise questions about who is financially responsible in the aftermath of the crash.
There’s no clear answer because every situation has its own unique circumstances that will influence the determination of liability. You should always contact a Haverhill car accident lawyer if you were the victim of this type of collision.
How Driver Status Affects Insurance Coverage
A very confusing element of Lyft-related crashes is figuring out which insurance policy applies. This is a detail that your Haverhill personal injury lawyer will handle on your behalf, but in the meantime, let’s take a look at how Lyft’s coverage operates on a tiered system.
When the Driver Is Actively Transporting a Passenger or En Route to Pick One Up
Suppose the driver had already accepted a ride request and was either on the way to the pickup location or already had a passenger in the vehicle.
During this part of the trip, Lyft’s full commercial insurance policy applies. This policy usually provides up to $1 million in liability coverage.
When the Driver Is Waiting for a Ride Request
If the driver was logged into the app but hadn’t accepted a ride yet, coverage will likely still apply, but the limits are usually lower. This middle-tier protection might provide up to $50,000 for bodily injury per person and $100,000 per accident.
It’s still better than many personal insurance policies, but it’s not as much as the full commercial plan.
When the Driver Is Off-Duty
If the Lyft driver wasn’t logged into the app at the time of the crash, their personal auto insurance will be the only coverage that applies. In these cases, Lyft doesn’t have to accept any responsibility because the driver wasn’t acting within the scope of their rideshare work.
For victims, this makes recovery harder, especially if the driver’s policy was limited or if the insurer argues about fault.
Why Fault Matters in Massachusetts Rideshare Crashes
Massachusetts law follows a modified no-fault system, meaning your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage will likely initially pay for some of your medical bills and compensate you for your lost wages after the crash, regardless of who caused it.
However, to pursue a claim for full compensation against the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet certain legal thresholds. This typically involves medical costs, permanent injury, or serious disfigurement. Determining fault in a Lyft crash is usually complicated as well.
If the Lyft driver caused the crash by driving recklessly, distracted, or fatigued on Route 125 or near the G.A.R. Memorial Park, they will likely be held liable. Sometimes, multiple parties are responsible, so liability is not always clear.
Types of Compensation That Are Often Available
When a Lyft crash leads to serious injuries, victims are often entitled to receive compensation. With the help of your Haverhill Lyft accident attorney, you have the option to pursue a claim that goes beyond basic PIP coverage. Here’s what compensation usually covers:
- Medical expenses: This entails emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgical procedures, rehabilitative care, prescription medication, and ongoing care.
- Lost income: This refers to any work that you missed while recovering, as well as any future losses you could potentially endure if your injuries affect your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: This pertains to compensation for physical discomfort, emotional trauma, and reduced enjoyment of life.
- Future medical costs: This takes into consideration any long-term injuries that require physical therapy, assistive devices, or surgeries down the road.
Contact Our Haverhill Lyft Accident Law Firm For Help Moving Forward With Your Case
At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, our Haverhill Lyft accident lawyers have spent 21-plus years helping more than 15,000 people recover over $250 million in compensation. When you meet with our attorneys, you’ll never need to reach into your pocket to pay us.
That’s because there’s no obligation, just information®. Everything we do is backed by our Stone Cold Guarantee®, like the reassurance that your voice will be heard and your rights will be protected. After all, we take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home.
Injured? Better Phone Stone® and talk to our Haverhill Lyft accident attorneys today. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we’ll start working on your case.
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