Corpus Christi Lyft Accident Lawyers
Serving Victims Injured in Lyft Accidents in Corpus Christi and Surrounding Communities
A rideshare service like Lyft provides a convenient, cost-effective solution for getting from one place to another in Corpus Christi. While ridesharing is generally safe, there’s always the chance of being involved in an accident. If a crash results in an injury, issues can arise regarding insurance coverage.
If you’re injured in a Lyft accident in Corpus Christi, an experienced Corpus Christi Lyft crash attorney can protect your legal rights and help you pursue the appropriate insurance claim payment. Thomas J. Henry Law can help you navigate the legal process from start to finish.
Corpus Christi Lyft and Company Liability
Lyft began offering rideshare services in 2012. In the ensuing years, the company has experienced substantial growth throughout the U.S., including in the Corpus Christi area. While many passengers enjoy the convenience of Lyft’s services and view it as a viable alternative to traditional taxi services, the industry’s newness has raised various regulatory issues.
A common area of contention is determining liability if a Lyft driver is involved in an accident that causes injuries. Lyft classifies its drivers as independent contractors instead of employees to minimize its liability. The company’s insurance protection, which is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage required by Texas law, only covers accidents and injuries that occur when the operator has logged on to the app. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy would need to provide coverage for incidents occurring outside of this time frame.
In some cases, Lyft may attempt to shift its liability to the driver, making it more challenging for an injured party when seeking damages. Consulting with an experienced Corpus Christi Lyft accident attorney can provide effective legal guidance in these situations.
Factors to Consider in Corpus Christi Lyft Accident Lawsuits
When involved in an accident in a Lyft vehicle, some factors you’ll need to account for include:
Distracted Driving
Not paying attention while transporting passengers is one area of potential liability for Lyft and its drivers. Vehicle operators might be more concerned about checking their phones or scheduling the next pickup than watching the road, which can lead to an accident.
Possible Injuries
What happens if an accident while riding in a Lyft causes injuries to the passenger? The medical bills and inability to work could present a significant financial hardship for the injured person. A Corpus Christi Lyft accident lawyer can ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for their negligent acts.
Recoverable Damages
Under Texas law, Lyft passengers injured due to the driver’s negligence may be entitled to recover economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and lost quality of life. They could also receive exemplary or punitive damages intended to punish the at-fault party. A knowledgeable lawyer can seek to maximize the payouts under these circumstances.
Evidence
When attempting to recover damages or file a Lyft accident lawsuit, you’ll need an attorney to help accumulate and present evidence that supports your case.
Why Trust Thomas J. Henry Law?
If you’re injured in a Lyft accident, it’s important to contact a capable attorney as quickly as possible. At Thomas J. Henry Law, we have extensive legal knowledge and resources to help you combat the ridesharing services. Our team consists of over 200 attorneys who are ready to protect your rights and pursue recovery on your behalf. You can enlist our services without risk — we work on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t pay legal fees unless we prevail.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Do you need legal help with a Lyft accident and injury situation in Corpus Christi? The experienced team at Thomas J. Henry Law is ready for the challenge. Take the next step and call us at 866-747-8731 to speak to a Corpus Christi Lyft accident attorney today. We’re available 24 hours a day to assist you.
Our Corpus Christi Personal Injury Law Offices
- Phone number: 361-254-7873 (attorneys available 24/7 to assist you)
- Address: 521 Starr Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401 (walk-in Monday through Friday)
Contact us for a free case review
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answered
We have straight answers to difficult questions to help you make critical decisions, navigate legal process and help you get justice.
Following an accident, there are always more questions than answers. At Thomas J. Henry, we’re here to answer any questions you have about your injury case.
Can a Passenger Sue in a Car Accident?
If you are involved in a car crash as a passenger, you can pursue claims against any drivers involving, including the driver of the vehicle you were in. To determine who may be held liable for your injuries, call Thomas J. Henry Law today to speak with a licensed auto accident attorney in Corpus Christi.
What Are Ridesharing Services?
A ridesharing service is a service that arranges one-time shared rides through the use of GPS navigation devices, smartphones, and social networks.
Similar to carpooling, ridesharing services like Uber utilize empty seats in passenger vehicles to provide transportation to those without access to a vehicle or who may not be in a condition to drive. Unlike carpooling, these services are often set up on short notice and are done for the sole purpose of profit.
Among the leading ridesharing services are:
- Uber
- Lyft
- Sidecar
- Wingz
- Fasten
- Ride Austin
How Does Lyft Insure Their Vehicles?
Insurance policies will vary by company; however, all rideshare drivers are required to have their own insurance in order to be eligible to work for a ridesharing company. In addition to the driver’s insurance, Lyft carries up to $1 million of liability company insurance. However, this coverage is only in effect when at certain times:
Lyft App is OFF: Only the driver’s personal insurance is in effect.
App is ON and Driver is “Available”: In addition to driver’s insurance, Lyft’s contingent liability coverage can now be accessed. This includes up to $100,000 for injuries.
Driver is on Lyft Trip: Company’s full commercial insurance coverage is in effect. This includes $1 million in third-party liability and $1 million in uninsured and underinsured coverage.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Accidents Involving Lyft Vehicles?
Ridesharing companies have worked pretty hard to distance themselves from their drivers, at least in terms of legal responsibility. Lyft, for example, has fought against litigation that would give its drivers’ employment status under the law. Instead, Lyft has pushed to keep its drivers listed as independent contractors in order to limit the company’s liability for any negligence displayed by their drivers.
When confronted with litigation, rideshare providers like Lyft will attempt to claim they only facilitate fares and are not responsible for their driver’s actions. It is then up to the plaintiff’s attorneys to prove the company’s liability.
What Are the Requirements for Being a Lyft Driver?
Typically, all a person needs to become a Lyft driver is an active driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Lyft is not as heavily regulated as traditional taxi services, and Lyft drivers are not expected to complete a certified licensing program. After meeting a few company-based requirements, drivers are free to transport clients without any additional training, on-boarding, or experience
Initially, this resulted in many of these services being banned as unlicensed taxi companies. However, bans have since been lifted, leaving the companies free to operate.
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us?
We help clients across the U.S. with all types of injury cases, including vehicle accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death, product recalls, pharmaceutical cases, mass tort, and more.
Thomas J. Henry offers a “No Fee Promise.” We work on a contingency fee basis which means you do not pay our firm any fees unless and until we win your case. Learn more.
If you’ve been hurt, you may have a damaged vehicle or be unable to work. We can help get you a rental car if your vehicle is damaged and even advance money on qualified cases.
We are committed to your complete recovery. We will work with you to ensure you receive the necessary medical treatment and support for your healing journey.
If you’ve been hurt, you may not be able to come into our offices to speak to an attorney. Don’t worry, we will come to you wherever you are – at home, work, or hospital.
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No matter the injury or the accident, if you or a loved one were harmed due to the negligence of an individual or company, Thomas J. Henry is here to assist you.
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