In ideal circumstances, it can take several months for Lyft to settle a car accident claim. If the company contests fault for the accident or the amount of compensation you’re asking for, the case can drag on for a year or more while you negotiate.
Ridesharing companies like Lyft and Uber are required by law to carry liability insurance in case their cars injure customers (passengers) or other road users. Lyft carries a minimum of $1 million liability coverage for every accident in Florida.
However, getting this money is not easy. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced Lyft accident attorney in South Florida to get you the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible. If you have been involved in a Lyft accident, talk to the expert attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphy to get a free consultation on your case.
Why Does it Take So Long to Settle a Lyft Claim?
Once you notify Lyft of your accident, they’re required by law to respond within 40 days. From there, the case can take months as Lyft’s insurance carriers investigate your claims and try to negotiate a settlement amount.
Lyft’s insurance carriers will try to pay you as little as possible. Sometimes, they go silent for months, hoping that you will get desperate and accept an unfairly low settlement amount.
The reason it takes so long to reach a settlement agreement is simply that the company doesn’t want to pay you. They may send their adjusters to investigate your case, review medical records, talk to witnesses, and generally try to find anything that could help them disprove your claim.
The insurance company will also try to reduce your claim value by contesting every dollar they can. They will check your medical treatment fees, calculate damages for pain and suffering, and even confirm with your employer if you really missed any days at work. They will try to use the information they gain to get you to lower your claim value.
During this negotiation stage, it’s vital that you work with a highly skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer who knows how to deal with Lyft cases. They will handle the negotiations for you to make sure that you get maximum compensation quickly by avoiding unnecessary or intentional delays.
The good news is, once you reach an agreement, Lyft is required by law to send you a check within 30 days.
Lyft Accident Claim Filing Process
As soon as possible after your accident, you should notify Lyft through their mobile application or customer support. They will direct you to their local insurer carrier where you can file your claim. In South Florida, that carrier is Progressive (United Financial Casualty Company), as you can see from Lyft’s certificate of liability as accessed at the time of writing.
When filing your claim, you’ll need to prepare a package that includes the formal claim letter as well as supporting documentation. These documents will be evidence showing that a Lyft driver was responsible for your accident and that you suffered injuries and financial loss as a result. They include:
- A copy of the police report
- Medical records of all injuries caused by the accident
- Medical bills, car repair bills, and all other costs caused by the accident
- Payslips and any documentation proving financial loss or lost wages as a result of the accident
- Photo and video evidence of the accident scene
If you have a lawyer representing you, it will be much easier to file your claim. Your lawyer will prepare a demand letter and include all the supporting documentation necessary to build a strong claim. They can even interview witnesses or acquire expert witness statements (such as accident reconstruction) to make sure your claim is watertight.
Once Lyft’s insurance carrier receives your claim, they will acknowledge it within 40 days and begin their own investigations. Usually, they will respond by denying your claim, rejecting it, or with a settlement offer. From here, a lawyer can advice you on what you should do next.
What You Can Do to Get a Lyft Case Settled Quickly
Lyft claims take longer to settle if the company has grounds to dispute your claim. Some cases can get settled in a matter of weeks. For example, if you only suffered vehicle damage and can clearly show the Lyft driver was at fault, Lyft will not have much room to dispute. The mechanic’s estimates and payslips showing missed wages will be enough proof, and you can get your case settled in less than three months.
However, if you suffered serious injury or lost a loved one in a Lyft accident, the insurance company will dispute things like the value of pain and suffering damages. The best way to make sure you get your Lyft claim settled as fast as possible is to work with an experienced lawyer.
Contact the Experienced Lyft Car Accident Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale
The expert car accident attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphy have settled or litigated many Lyft cases here in Florida. We know what it takes to fight big companies like Lyft and their insurance carriers to get you the compensation you need as soon as possible.
Call us now or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and talk to our skilled attorneys today about your Lyft case. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured in Coconut Creek, Plantation, Pompano Beach, and Pembroke Pines, and throughout Florida. Call (954) 525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly