Rideshare services like Lyft have become a popular transportation option for a large part of the population of Washington, DC. The idea that you can have a driver take you to any location at any time without having to worry about getting behind the wheel has great appeal to customers. However, this arrangement can create some legal complications in the event of an accident.
Lyft and other rideshare companies have gone to great lengths to avoid facing liability for accidents involving their drivers. Nevertheless, people who suffer injuries from crashes involving these drivers have a right to pursue compensation for their losses with the help of an experienced car accident attorney. A DC Lyft accident lawyer could help you explore your legal rights, investigate the cause of a collision, measure your losses, and seek compensation from the responsible parties.
An essential legal step after any accident is determining who is liable for the resulting damage. This is usually the operator of the vehicle who causes a crash and is responsible for the harm that they cause. However, people who suffer injuries may want to determine if any other parties could share joint liability for the incident.
It is natural to want to connect Lyft and other parent companies to an accident involving one of their drivers. Unfortunately, these companies have fought in courts and lobbied for legislatures to classify their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. This classification allows these companies to deny workplace benefits to their drivers and makes it nearly impossible to hold the parent company liable for a rideshare accident. Because of this, it is important to have knowledgeable legal counsel on your side to pursue compensation and inform you about your legal accidents. A Lyft accident attorney in DC could provide more information about who can be held liable for damages after a rideshare wreck.
Lyft drivers have the same responsibility to safely operate their vehicles as all other travelers. This duty of care includes obeying the road’s rules, driving without distractions, and being aware of their surroundings. A Lyft crash lawyer in DC is prepared to take the lead in obtaining evidence demonstrating how a rideshare driver was responsible for an accident. This evidence could include police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction analysis.
If evidence shows that a rideshare driver was to blame for a crash, they can be held liable for the full extent of a victim’s losses. Recoverable damages may include medical bills, property damage, missing wages, and lost quality of life. A skilled attorney could help drivers in other vehicles, as well as passengers within the rideshare, evaluate their losses and pursue compensation in the event of a collision.
Any individual seeking compensation after a Lyft crash needs to remember that there is a time limit on these cases. The Code of the District of Columbia § 12-301 says that most people have only three years after the accident date to pursue compensation for their losses. Contacting a DC Lyft crash lawyer today could provide immediate assistance and could increase the chances of obtaining full compensation before any deadlines are hit.
Lyft, Uber, and other rideshare vehicles are a common sight on DC’s roads. These drivers have the same duties as all other travelers to obey traffic laws and keep others safe while behind the wheel. If these drivers act negligently and cause injuries, they are liable for the inflicted damages.
A Lyft accident lawyer is ready to help you pursue your case to try and get the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
