Lyft Accident Lawyers in Sumter, SC
You usually call a Lyft for a safe, convenient, and trouble-free ride home. As you head home, you, unfortunately, may be involved in a Lyft accident and suffer injuries. What do you do? Calling an experienced and skilled Sumter Lyft Accident Attorney helps make sure you receive compensation for your medical bills, pain, and suffering, and lost income caused by your Lyft accident injuries.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Lyft accident, contact the Strom Law Firm today at (803) 252-4800 or complete the online form. The Strom Law Firm will be happy to work with you and work towards recovery of compensation for your injuries.
Usual Injuries in Lyft Accidents
The only difference between a Lyft accident and a regular auto accident is that your driver is working for Lyft’s benefit when the accident occurs. The injuries you might sustain as a passenger in a Lyft include:
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Strained muscles
- Broken and fractured bones
- Bruising
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Sprains
- Organ damage
Injuries may be severe, or you may be lucky enough for them to be minor, but it’s important to seek medical attention immediately after the accident. This is the only way to figure out if there are any significant hidden impairments following the accident, and a medical visit also starts the necessary official documentation of your medical complaints.
Liability in Sumter Lyft Accidents
In South Carolina, the person at fault for an accident is responsible for compensating injured persons for damages and injuries. Many times, the Lyft driver or the driver of another car or truck may be considered the responsible party. If the Lyft driver is at fault for the accident, you may attempt to seek compensation under Lyft’s insurance policy. The best way to determine who may be responsible for paying expenses related to the injuries is to hire an experienced attorney. A Sumter Lyft accident attorney also assists in determining which insurance policies are available to provide compensation.
Types of Damages An Injured Person Can Recover
Many factors often contribute to the amount of compensation you can receive. Some of these include the circumstances surrounding the accident, the type and severity of the injuries you receive, and who is deemed at fault for the accident. In an accident that involves a Lyft driver, there are typically various kinds of damages:
- Current medical bills
- Potential future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and income
- Permanent disability as a result of the accident
Contacting an experienced and skilled attorney in Lyft accident claims can assist you in obtaining the compensation for your full medical expenses.
Possible Tactics Used by Lyft and Its Drivers To Avoid Liability
If a Lyft driver is involved in an accident that caused you injuries, it is important to determine if you are entitled to compensation for those injuries. Insurance companies will almost certainly attempt to settle the claim for as little as they can to limit their losses. Two of their common strategies are relaying a low settlement offer or disputing the fault of the accident.
- Contacting you early after the accident with a low settlement offer. When insurance companies review a car accident claim, they will always offer a low offer early on in the claim process. They will do this at a time where you are stressed and vulnerable from the impact the accident has caused you. This is the time to contact an attorney to discuss the incident before accepting or signing any paperwork.
- Denying fault and blaming somebody else. Often, insurance companies will claim that they are at not fault for the accident. Lyft insurance companies will likely claim that somebody else was responsible for it instead of the Lyft driver. These can prove to be very difficult claims and can impact your ability to recover compensation.
Typical Mistakes of Injured Parties Filing Lyft Accident Claims
You can file a Lyft accident claim for yourself; however, many have expressed how difficult and frustrating that process can be. As with other accident claims, it is easy to make a mistake when filing Lyft accident claims and going through the process without an experienced attorney.
Persuaded Into Admitting Your Own Fault
Accident victims typically discover that insurance companies are complicated. The insurance company will act as though they are your friend by showing compassion, sincerity, and empathy toward your circumstances. At some point, it will become all too clear that they are trying to pay you the least amount they can. To do this, the agents ask many questions that could deceive you into admitting fault. They will also ask you to take a recorded statement that may later be used against you in the proceedings.
Waiting to Seek Medical Treatment
One thing that insurance companies look for is immediate medical attention. This does not mean you need to go to the hospital in an ambulance directly after an accident. Rather you should go to the doctor as soon as reasonably possible to address your medical situation if emergency treatment is unnecessary. Failing to seek out a medical professional to look at your injuries could result in losing credibility with the insurance company. They will believe that since you did not receive immediate care, your injuries may not be as severe or serious as you’ve alleged.
Sharing Details on Social Media About Your Accident
Social media has become a huge asset in all kinds of cases. Many fail to realize that what they post on social media can come back to follow them and affect their claim. Insurance companies will review social media sites and posts by parties in an effort to see if there is any information they can collect to potentially hurt a person’s claim. You do not want to put any information or comments about a Lyft accident on social media and always ensure that your privacy settings are set to ensure that you know who can see your posts.
Cost of a Sumter Lyft Accident Attorney
After an accident, many expenses will come your way. You may find yourself worrying about medical expenses, lost income, rental car fees, and additional expenses related to your accident injuries. You may even be concerned about an attorney costing more than the medical expenses. Pete Strom and the Strom Law Firm provides free initial consultations to examine the details of your case and any potential means of recovery.
Most cases are taken on a contingency fee where you will not pay any attorney fees unless and until we are successful in recovering compensation for your injuries. These fees will be taken from the settlement amount, so will never be owed upfront by you. This allows you to progress through your medical treatment and return to your daily life without worrying over the details or paying upfront for your representation.
Consult an Experienced Sumter Lyft Accident Attorney in Columbia
If you or someone you know has been injured in a Lyft accident or other ride-share accident in Sumter, South Carolina, Sumter County, or anywhere else across South Carolina, call Pete Strom immediately at (803) 252-4800 and schedule a free consultation. One of the experienced Sumter Lyft Accident Attorneys at the Strom Law Firm will be happy to work closely with you or your loved one to examine the issues of fault and decide what next steps are needed to obtain compensation for your claim.
