Determining fault after a Montgomery Lyft accident is one of the most important steps toward protecting your legal rights. When faced with medical expenses, lost income, and property damage, you may feel uncertain about what comes next. Establishing liability with the help of a skilled attorney is imperative because it directly affects your ability to pursue compensation.
Unlike a typical traffic crash, a rideshare accident often involves several parties whose actions and insurance policies must be carefully scrutinized. You may have questions about whether the Lyft driver, another motorist, or another entity bears responsibility for your injuries. At Singleton Schreiber, LLP, our legal team can examine all evidence, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the maximum compensation possible.
Determining Fault for Negligent Driving
Every driver has a duty to operate a vehicle with reasonable care under Alabama Code § 32-5A-170. When a driver breaches this duty and causes an accident, a personal injury attorney can help you establish the driver's negligence and pursue compensation for your injuries. However, the state follows the legal doctrine of contributory negligence. Under this rule, a person who is found to have contributed even slightly to the accident is barred from recovering damages.
This standard makes fault determinations especially important because insurance companies may attempt to argue that you share responsibility for the Montgomery Lyft collision. A rideshare accident attorney can evaluate the facts of your case, respond to allegations of contributory negligence, and present evidence supporting your position. Careful legal analysis can make a meaningful difference when liability is disputed.
What Are the Types of Coverage in Lyft Accident Cases?
Rideshare accidents frequently present layered challenges, and the status of the Lyft driver at the time of the collision can affect which insurance policies apply. For example, if a Lyft driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, Lyft provides contingent third-party liability insurance if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not apply. The minimum coverage pursuant to Ala. Code § 32-7C-2(b)(1) is $25,000 for property damage per accident, $50,000 for bodily injury per person, and $100,000 for bodily injury per accident.
This coverage applies before the driver accepts a ride request. It generally does not provide collision or comprehensive coverage for the driver’s own vehicle during this waiting period. However, Lyft provides substantially higher insurance coverage when its drivers are traveling to pick up passengers. Pursuant to Ala. Code § 32-7C-2(b)(2), Lyft provides for covered accidents:
- At least $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage
- First-party coverage, including uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
When a Lyft employee is actively transporting a passenger, primary auto liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 is available to cover death, bodily injury, medical payments, and property damage under Ala. Code § 32-7C-2(b)(2). A Montgomery auto collision lawyer can investigate the Lyft driver’s rideshare status, obtain available electronic records, review insurance coverage, and identify all potentially liable parties. Without a thorough legal review, important evidence or sources of compensation could be overlooked.
Speak to a Montgomery Attorney To Establish Liability After a Lyft Wreck
After a Lyft accident, you may receive calls from insurance adjusters requesting statements or offering a settlement. Determining fault after a Montgomery Lyft accident can be complicated without accounting for the full extent of your injuries and damages. An attorney can communicate with insurers on your behalf, evaluate settlement offers, and calculate both your current and future losses.
Do not let pressure from insurance companies or uncertainty influence the outcome of your claim. At Singleton Schreiber, we make it our mission to fight for justice for those who have been seriously injured in preventable accidents. Let us help you get your fair payout. Call us today for your free consultation.
