MIAMI LYFT ACCIDENT LAWYER
Over the last decade, Lyft has become one of the most popular ridesharing services throughout South Florida. However, accidents unfortunately happen. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare crash, an experienced Miami Lyft accident lawyer can help you navigate the confusing web of insurance coverage and fight back against reluctant companies to seek full compensation for your losses. The Miami car accident lawyers at Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers will guide you through the legal process after your accident and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Reviewed by: James D. Payer
Table of Contents
- Understanding Lyft Accidents
- Legal Rights of Lyft Accident Victims in Miami
- Why Choose Payer Law as Your Miami Lyft Accident Lawyer?
- How Payer Law Handles Lyft Accident Cases in Miami?
- Steps To Take After a Lyft Accident in Miami
- Contact Payer Law — Your Trusted Miami Lyft Accident Lawyer
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Understanding Lyft Accidents
Ridesharing services like Lyft have become increasingly common in recent years, with more than 40 million riders in 2023. Whether you use Lyft to get to work, shuttle you to and from the airport, or take advantage of Miami’s rich nightlife, you expect to arrive safely at your destination.
Lyft drivers are independent contractors who use their own vehicles. Therefore, it can be challenging to track exact ridesharing accident statistics. However, studies show that fatal crashes have increased in major cities where ridesharing has entered the picture. In fact, traffic fatalities may have risen as much as 4 percent annually since Lyft and Uber became available.
If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact our law offices in Miami to learn how a Lyft injury lawyer can help.
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Injury victims may be entitled to compensation
What Is a Lyft Accident?
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department, there were nearly 60,000 motor vehicle crashes in Miami-Dade County in 2024, resulting in over 29,000 injuries and 288 deaths. While many of these crashes likely involved rideshare vehicles, the department doesn’t track these separately.
While it might seem that a Lyft accident resembles a regular car accident, the claims process has significant differences that can impact your outcome. The chief difference is the insurance coverage at play. In a typical car accident, drivers rely on their personal policy. However, for a Lyft accident, the coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in Miami
The following are the most common causes of Lyft accidents:
- Distracted driving – Lyft drivers constantly receive notifications on their phones, and many must rely on GPS to get to a passenger’s desired location.
- Fatigue from long working hours – Driving for Lyft as a side job often means working excessive hours, which can lead to driver fatigue.
- Reckless or aggressive driving – Unfortunately, many Lyft drivers are under a lot of stress to make ends meet, which may cause them to speed and drive recklessly.
- Poor vehicle maintenance and safety issues – While Lyft has initial vehicle maintenance requirements for signing up as a driver, there’s no guarantee drivers will keep up with regular maintenance.
Legal Rights of Lyft Accident Victims in Miami
The rights and options of Lyft accident victims rely on several factors, including the applicable insurance coverage, the driver’s status at the time of the accident, and the parties involved.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Lyft Accident?
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning every driver must carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, coverage and file a claim with their own insurance company after an accident. However, if your injuries meet a certain threshold, you can seek compensation from the at-fault parties. The parties liable for a Lyft accident might include the following:
- Lyft drivers – To successfully sue a Lyft driver, you must prove that their negligence caused or contributed to the accident.
- Lyft – Lyft may be held responsible for the accident if the company negligently hired, failed to train, or inadequately supervised the driver who caused the crash.
- Third-party drivers – If another driver or entity was responsible for the accident, you must file a third-party claim against their insurance company to pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Does Insurance Factor Into Lyft Accidents?
Even if a direct lawsuit against Lyft isn’t possible, that doesn’t mean the ridesharing giant is entirely off the hook following a crash involving one of their contracted drivers. Lyft must maintain a minimum level of liability insurance for each of its drivers, which is typically far above the limits held by individual motorists.
Possible compensation from one of these policies will depend on the driver’s status when the accident happened. For insurance purposes, a rideshare driver’s status falls into three possible categories:
- Driver is off duty and not logged into the Lyft app: The driver’s personal insurance coverage applies. Florida drivers are required to carry property damage liability of at least $10,000, but they are not required to carry bodily injury coverage.
- Driver has logged into the Lyft app: If the driver has logged in and is actively seeking a rider, Lyft provides $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage.
- Driver has accepted a ride or is actively transporting riders: If the driver is transporting a paying rider or is en route to picking up one, Lyft offers up to $1 million in third-party liability insurance coverage.
What Compensation Can Lyft Accident Victims Receive?
After a Lyft accident in South Florida, you can seek to recover economic and non-economic damages. Damages you can pursue include the following:
- Current and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Vehicle and personal property damages
- Emotional and mental distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Why Choose Payer Law as Your Miami Lyft Accident Lawyer?
Our Miami Car Accident Lawyers understand the legal landscape and insurance technicalities involved in Lyft accident cases. When you are dealing with pain, fear, and uncertainty after an accident, an experienced attorney can shoulder the burden of the claims process so you can focus on your recovery.
At Payer Personal Injury Lawyers, we treat every client like family, recognizing that they are more than a number. Our team is here to listen to you, answer your questions, and walk you through every step of this often-complex personal injury claims process.
Since opening in 2007, our law firm has recovered over $100 million in compensation for injured victims. Our top-rated Miami personal injury attorneys have also been recognized by Million-Dollar and Multi-Million-Dollar Advocates.
When you hire us, you can expect us to do the following:
- Investigate your car crash case thoroughly
- Gather and analyze evidence relevant to your case
- Identify who may be at fault for your injuries and other losses
- Discuss your legal options
- Develop a strategy tailored to your case
- Combat any allegations that you were at fault
- Handle communications with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys
- Negotiate for a fair settlement agreement
- Represent you in court if needed
It Pays to
Call Payer!
How Payer Law Handles Lyft Accident Cases in Miami?
Being involved in a Lyft accident can be overwhelming and stressful. At Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have years of experience successfully handling vehicle accident claims.
We’ve proudly stood up for injury victims and their loved ones throughout the Miami area for years. When you work with us, our team will fight for your rights at every step of the legal process:
Free Consultation and Case Evaluation
We offer a completely free initial consultation. We’ll analyze your situation and advise you about your options so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Our representation includes investigating your accident and gathering the evidence to build the best possible case, including police reports, Lyft records, eyewitness statements, medical records, accident scene evidence, and more. We will also consult with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts if it will improve your case.
Negotiation and Litigation
Our law firm is committed to maximizing your recovery. We will pursue full and fair compensation against the other driver, Lyft, or third-party insurance companies.
Our firm knows what it takes to stand up to insurers and large corporations with deep pockets. We won’t back down from tough settlement negotiations to get you a fair deal. We are always willing to take your case to trial to get the best result if necessary.
Steps To Take After a Lyft Accident in Miami
It’s not surprising that rideshare apps like Lyft offer minimal guidance on what to do after an accident. Taking the proper steps following a crash with a Lyft can impact your ability to collect just compensation for your injuries.
Immediate Actions To Protect Your Rights
- Call 911 and report the accident – Calling a police officer to the accident scene creates an official record of the crash with information that could support your claim.
- Report the accident to Lyft – If you were a passenger, you can report the accident under the “Trip Issues” section of the app. However, always use caution when speaking with any company representatives. Avoid apologizing or otherwise accepting any responsibility, as that may be used against you later.
- Seek medical attention – Even if you don’t believe you are seriously hurt, seek immediate medical attention. Some injuries are not immediately apparent. In addition to getting the care you need to recover, seeking care will provide valuable documentation of your damages.
- Gather evidence – If you are physically able, take photos of the scene. Document the Lyft ride details and gather the contact information of any witnesses.
Why You Should Contact a Lyft Accident Lawyer Immediately
There’s nothing simple about Lyft accident cases. Working with an experienced rideshare accident attorney will allow you to:
- Understand your legal rights
- Avoid insurance pitfalls and low settlement offers
- Ensure all evidence is preserved for a strong case
- Focus on your recovery while we handle the heavy lifting
Contact Payer Law — Your Trusted Miami Lyft Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, our experienced team at Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers has the skills and resources to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today or call (305) 854-4442 to schedule your free consultation. We are available 24/7 to answer client questions. Our Miami office is located at 12000 Biscayne Blvd Ste 503. It Pays to Call Payer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Lyft Accident?
It’s strongly advisable to consult with a Lyft accident lawyer in Miami after a rideshare accident, even if you don’t believe you need one immediately. These cases usually involve complex coverage issues and the potential for significant damages.
How Much Does a Lyft Accident Lawyer Cost?
Our Lyft accident lawyer’s fees work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything hourly or upfront. Instead, your fee will be a percentage of the judgment or settlement you win.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lyft Accident Lawsuit in Miami?
Under Florida Law, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Florida is two years from the accident date. If your loved one has died from a Lyft accident, Florida law gives you two years to file a wrongful death case.
Can I Sue Lyft Directly for an Accident?
Lyft drivers are independent contractors, so the company is less likely to be held responsible for a driver’s actions than if the driver were an employee. However, Lyft can be sued directly for its own negligence, such as failing to adequately screen the driver.
How Do I Find the Best Lyft Accident Lawyer Near Me?
To find the best Lyft accident lawyer in your area, focus on results above messaging. Look beyond fancy websites and social media pages to zero in on a law firm with a track record of success and positive client feedback.
12000 Biscayne Blvd STE 503
Miami, FL 33181
(305) 363-7099
Hours: Open 24 hours daily
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Client Reviews
Professional, efficient, helpful, and dedicated to their clients. Lysette West extremely attentive and responsive, answered every question or concern professionally and swiftly. She set my mind at ease during some of the most difficult times I have encountered. Even when I missed an appointment because of a natural disaster. She jumped right into the situation cleared it up and got the ball rolling again in short order. I only wish I was able to call on Payer Law for all my legal issues.
James has a heart for justice and is passionate about helping the ones in need of fair representation. Thank you for your professionalism and confidence in what’s right. Thank you for caring and being there for my mom and our family. God bless.
The staff are courteous and knowledgeable. Chris Payer treats me like family and I know he is fighting for me and my case. I highly recommend Payer Law.
