Average Lyft Accident Settlement Amounts in Florida

Pursuing compensation for injuries sustained in a Florida auto accident can be a stressful and frustrating experience.

The process can be even more complicated when talking about rideshare vehicles, such as an accident with a Lyft driver. Understandably, injured victims want to know typical Lyft accident settlement amounts in Florida to decide whether it’s worth pursuing a claim.

However, there is no average Lyft accident settlement payout because every accident is unique. To determine what your individual case is worth, speak with a Hudson car accident attorney.

Florida Lyft Accident Settlement Amounts

No two auto accidents are identical. The circumstances surrounding the impact, injuries, fault, etc., vary from victim to victim and accident to accident.

There is no way to determine an average Lyft car accident passenger settlement. When you meet with our firm, we will review the facts of your case. Our goal is to evaluate your injuries and damages and provide you with a professional opinion on value. That number is more important than an average figure that might not even relate to your case.

No-Fault Laws in Florida

Florida is a no-fault state for auto accidents. That means in the event of an accident, each party turns to their own insurance to cover some of their medical expenses. That’s why you carry personal injury protection (PIP) on your auto policy. If a Lyft driver struck you while you were driving your own vehicle, you would typically file a claim under your PIP benefits for medical expenses.

But if you were a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, your legal options differ, and they could impact your potential Lyft car accident passenger settlement. There are also important exemptions to Florida’s no-fault laws. Because determining the correct legal process with no-fault laws can be complicated, you need an experienced Florida rideshare accident lawyer who can tell you how best to proceed.

Lyft Insurance Coverage

Available insurance coverage can impact Lyft accident settlement amounts in Florida. Lyft insurance differs depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident. When the app is off, the driver’s personal auto insurance coverage will apply in the event of an accident.

But suppose the driver had the app on and was waiting for a fare. In that case, Lyft will provide liability insurance for covered accidents if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t apply.

Coverage limits, in this case, would be:

$50,000 per person for bodily injury;
$100,000 per accident for bodily injury; and
$25,000 per accident for property damage.

If the Lyft driver has the app on and picks up a passenger or already has a passenger in the vehicle, the limits are different.

Coverage through Lyft for third-party covered accidents is as follows:

$1,000,000 for third-party auto liability;
Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party coverage; and
Contingent comprehensive and collision up to the vehicle’s actual cash value with a $2,500 deductible.

In cases where there is only $50,000 in bodily injury coverage, the policy limits could be extinguished if your injuries are severe enough. That means your Florida Lyft accident settlement payout would be lower than your total case value.

Other Factors that Affect Your Lyft Car Accident Settlement

Putting aside Florida’s no-fault laws and available coverage for the moment, you’ll find other factors that can impact your Lyft accident claim’s value as well.

One of the first factors is the severity of your injuries. Someone who suffered minor injuries would have a lower claim value than someone who sustained severe injuries in an accident.

Liability is another important factor in determining a potential Lyft accident settlement payout. Florida follows the pure comparative negligence rule for personal injury cases and accidents that fall under the general negligence law. That means you can still collect damages for a personal injury accident where you are partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Consider a case where a jury finds you 30% at fault. That means you could collect 70% of your damages. This legal theory is critical to understand if you were not a passenger in a Lyft vehicle. If you have the legal right to pursue a third-party liability claim in Florida, the defendants will do whatever is necessary to place the majority of fault on you.

Another factor that will impact Lyft accident settlement amounts in Florida is the total amount of your damages. The higher your losses, the more your case is likely worth. For example, someone with more severe injuries will have a higher damage total. This also impacts subjective damage values such as your physical pain and suffering.

Understandably, someone who suffers catastrophic injuries will experience significantly more pain and suffering than someone with soft tissue injuries that resolve in a couple of months.

How to Maximize Your Potential Lyft Accident Settlement

If you have grounds to pursue a claim for your injuries, you want to pursue the maximum compensation possible. Building a solid case starts in the moments following the accident. If you can do so safely and are not severely injured, try to obtain scene photos after the collision. You should get pictures of the vehicle damage and the surrounding scene.

Was there construction or some other hazard that affected the involved drivers?

Are there witnesses? If so, get their contact information.

Under PIP coverage, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. Even if you don’t think your injuries are severe, you should seek medical treatment after an accident. You could have internal injuries that are not visible. Making an appointment within the time frame also preserves your right to bring a PIP claim if applicable.

The number one thing that will maximize your compensation is having legal representation. It would be best to have a skilled and knowledgeable attorney who understands rideshare accidents, applicable insurance coverage, and no-fault laws. When you retain Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq., to negotiate a Lyft car accident settlement, you’re working with one of the best.

We have years of experience with Florida personal injury matters, including Lyft accident claims. We understand the nuances of these cases and can help you pursue the maximum compensation possible.

Contact Our Florida Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you sustained injuries as a passenger in a Lyft ride or a Lyft driver struck your vehicle, you could have the right to pursue an injury claim beyond any potential PIP coverage.

Contact or callto reach the office of Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq today to schedule an initial consultation.

Let us put our experience to work for you and help you understand your possible Lyft accident settlement in Florida.