A total of 49 fatal accidents occurred involving Lyft drivers, according to the company’s most recent Community Safety Report. If a Lyft driver kills or injures you or someone you love, it’s important that you understand your legal rights under Texas law.
An Austin Lyft accident lawyer at George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help you to pursue a claim against those who caused you harm. Members of our legal team formerly worked for insurance companies, so we know the ins and outs of how these companies try to limit the compensation they pay to crash victims. We’ll bring out 110 years of combined legal experience fighting for accident victims to your case to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve.
Give us a call today at (210)-225-0909 to schedule a free consultation and learn about the dedicated and skillful legal advocacy our firm can offer you.
Who is Responsible for a Lyft Accident?
When you are injured in a Lyft crash, either as a passenger or in another vehicle on the road, it’s important to understand who is to blame.
As a passenger, you can always pursue a claim for compensation against either the Lyft driver or the other motorist who caused your crash. If you were in another vehicle or were a pedestrian or bicyclist, you can make a claim against the Lyft driver as long as that driver was at least 51% responsible for the accident. This is the rule under modified comparative fault laws found in Texas Code Section 33.001.
Normally, when you are pursuing a claim against a driver who was on duty at the time of the incident, you can pursue a claim against their employer under vicarious liability rules that apply in Texas. As Painter v. Amerimex Drilling I, Ltd explains, “an employer is vicariously liable for its employee’s negligent acts if those acts are within the course and scope of his employment.”
Lyft drivers aren’t employees, though, but rather are independent contractors. Lyft can’t be held liable for their negligence, but the rideshare company does carry third-party insurance that provides additional insurance coverage in certain instances when the driver is active in the app and waiting to pick up passengers or when the driver is transporting Lyft customers.
Taking Legal Action After a Lyft Crash
After a Lyft crash hurts you or someone you care about, it’s important to talk with a legal advocate who can help you to better understand when Lyft’s insurance might apply and what you must prove to collect compensation from the driver’s insurance company or from the rideshare company’s insurer.
Your Austin car accident attorney can help you gather evidence, prove your claim, and make smart and strategic legal moves to maximize the chances you’ll recover the full amount necessary to “make you whole,” after the accident.
Get Help from an Austin Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
An Austin Lyft accident lawyer at George Salinas Injury Lawyers will fight for you from day one. Our Austin personal injury attorneys don’t charge legal fees if we don’t win your case and we offer free consultations to help you understand what we can do for you when a rideshare accident hurts you. Give us a call at (210)-225-0909 to learn more today.