Charleston Lyft Accident Lawyer Stephen A. Longo
Get the attorney who knows how to navigate rideshare accident claims
Lyft has become a regular fixture on Charleston’s streets. It’s how people get home after an evening on King Street, how visitors get from the airport to their hotels, and how locals avoid parking challenges during the city’s busy festival seasons. Most rides end without incident. But when a Lyft driver causes a crash, the injured person often finds themselves dealing with a complicated web of insurance coverage that’s difficult to navigate without help.
Like Uber, Lyft’s insurance coverage for accidents depends on the status of the driver at the time of the crash. Different phases of the ride – app off, app on but awaiting a request, actively en route to a passenger, or carrying a passenger – trigger different insurance policies with very different coverage amounts. Understanding which policy applies and how to make a claim against it is not always straightforward.
At The Longo Firm, LLC, we represent people hurt in Lyft accidents throughout Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry. Our legal team knows the rideshare insurance framework inside and out, and we know how to fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to under South Carolina law.
What are the most common Lyft accident scenarios in Charleston?
There are many reasons why accidents occur involving Lyft drivers in Charleston. Common crash scenarios involving a Lyft driver include:
- You were a Lyft passenger when the driver caused a crash. Lyft’s $1 million commercial coverage policy may apply while a passenger is in the vehicle.
- You were driving your own car when a Lyft driver hit you. Lyft’s commercial liability coverage may be available depending on the driver’s app status.
- You were a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a Lyft driver. You may have a claim against Lyft’s insurance regardless of your mode of travel.
- The Lyft driver was hurt because another driver caused the crash. The at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible, and additional coverage may be available.
The type of Lyft accident that occurred matters since it can dramatically impact the outcome of your Lyft injury claim or lawsuit. That’s why it’s critical that you have an experienced attorney investigating your Lyft crash as soon as possible in Charleston.
Who is responsible for paying after a Charleston Lyft accident?
The answer depends on what the Lyft driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash. South Carolina law and Lyft’s own insurance structure recognize three distinct phases of a Lyft ride, each triggering different coverage. If the app was off, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. If the app was on but no ride was accepted, Lyft provides limited contingent coverage. Once a trip is accepted and until the passenger exits the vehicle, Lyft’s full commercial policy of up to $1 million may apply.
Determining which phase applies is rarely straightforward. Lyft’s trip records are the most reliable source of that answer, and they need to be preserved quickly. Insurance companies sometimes dispute which phase was active because the answer directly controls how much they must pay. This dispute is at the center of many Charleston Lyft accident cases, and resolving it requires an attorney who knows how to demand that data and use it effectively.
Responsibility may also extend beyond Lyft and the driver. If another driver contributed to the crash, a defective vehicle part failed or a hazardous road condition played a role, additional sources of compensation may be available. An experienced Charleston Lyft accident lawyer will conduct a full liability analysis, identify every responsible party and make sure no available coverage is left on the table.
Why do you need a lawyer for a Lyft accident claim?
Rideshare accident claims are more complicated than standard car accident claims for several reasons. There’s often a dispute about what phase of the ride the driver was in at the time of the crash. This is very important since it can impact who’s responsible for paying for the accident.
Lyft’s insurer and the driver’s personal insurer may each claim the other policy is responsible. That way, they can avoid having to pay for all the accident-related expenses. As a result, the injured person is often dealing with multiple insurance companies at once, each with their own adjusters and their own interests to protect.
An experienced Charleston Lyft accident lawyer from The Longo Firm, LLC can cut through this complexity and make sure your claim is handled properly from the start. We know how to identify all available coverage, how to preserve critical evidence like Lyft trip records and how to negotiate from a position of strength.
Get a Charleston lawyer who knows how Lyft’s insurance system works
Most injured people have never dealt with a rideshare accident claim before. Lyft’s insurer has many times before. They know the arguments to make, the questions to ask and the tactics that lead to lower payouts.
You need someone in your corner who understands the playbook and knows how to counter it. Lyft car accident attorney Stephen A. Longo knows how to skillfully handle complex Lyft accident claims throughout the Charleston area.
Don’t wait to find out what happens next. Take back control after your Charleston Lyft accident. Contact The Longo Firm, LLC today for a free evaluation. There’s no cost to get straight answers about your case, and we only collect a fee when we win compensation for you.
The Longo Firm, LLC – get the law firm that gets you.