See, Lyft is pretty much famous all over the country, and sometimes, it happens that you get into some trouble while you’re on your ride. And it happens more often than you think, like accidents are common on roads, and anybody can be at fault in these situations. And in recent times, we have seen many Dallas Lyft Accident Lawsuits, but let’s say, for some reason, you’re thinking of filing one, then here are some important details you should know.
Texas Rules for Lyft Rides
To begin with, you need to understand that rideshare firms such as Lyft are required to comply with the laws of Texas. Insurance is one of the vital aspects. Lyft is guaranteed to have insurance, but the amount varies depending on the driver’s activities at the time of the accident.
Here’s the minimum coverage in Texas:
- $50,000 if one person is hurt
- $100,000 total if multiple people are injured
- $25,000 for property damage
Lyft’s insurance often goes beyond these minimums, but it’s important to know your rights.
Important: There is only one other super important thing to note here, see, the time limit for filing a lawsuit in Texas after an accident is 2 years. If you wait any longer, you might no longer be entitled to receive a payout.
Who Pays After a Lyft Crash?
It depends on what the driver was doing at the time. Like, quite literally!
1. Driver’s App Is Off
In the case that the driver had finished their last trip, switched off their app, and the accident occurred, then Lyft’s insurance won’t cover the incident. The driver’s personal car insurance will be the one to handle your claim.
2. Driver Is Waiting for a Ride
In case the driver’s application is activated but the request for a ride has not been accepted yet, Lyft has a fallback plan. The policy is up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, but only in the event that the driver’s insurance is not adequate; the rest of the liability will be covered by Lyft.
3. You’re in the Car or the Driver Accepted Your Ride
After the ride has been accepted or you have gotten into the vehicle, Lyft’s primary insurance is activated. It includes up to $1 million in coverage, which assures safety to the passengers who get injured because of the driver.
How Much Can You Get?
Just to be very clear here, see, settlements are not the same every time; the amount depends on the extent of the injuries, the healthcare costs, and the income that was lost. Generally, the settlements are above $100,000.
- If the injuries end up requiring surgery, the compensation can go beyond $250,000.
- Severe injuries that change the life of the person might get even a million-dollar settlement. Easily!
- The amount will rely on your case; it will not just be based on the medical costs that were made.
Steps to Take After a Lyft Crash
- Get Medical Help: Even if you feel fine. Some injuries appear later.
- Call the Police: Get an official report.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the vehicles, surroundings, and collect the driver’s and witnesses’ information.
- Report to Lyft: Use the app to notify them of the crash.
It’s not so easy to submit an insurance claim. In order to pay less, the insurance companies might accuse you of being at fault. However, in Texas, you are still entitled to get compensation if it is not you who has caused more than 51% of the accident. The amount of money you receive will be decreased according to the percentage of fault assigned to you. For instance, in the case where you are 10% responsible, your settlement becomes 90% of the total amount.
