Who We Are
At Boohoff Law, we recover millions for our clients every month. We represent people and families who have suffered an injury due to the negligence of others. Our attorneys have years of experience in successfully settling car accident claims. We aim to get our clients the justice and financial compensation they deserve.
Why Hire Us?
We’ve proudly stood up for injured clients in the Tampa Bay area for years. We’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation for thousands of happy clients. Our firm is ranked in the top 10 in client satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys.
We can put our decades of experience and resources to work for you. Our results-driven approach has made us one of Tampa’s top-rated law firms. If you’ve suffered an injury in a Tampa Lyft accident, you deserve a team who will skillfully fight by your seat. Our firm’s attorneys and legal team will fight for your rights against insurance companies and the legal system.
Why Injured Lyft Riders in Tampa Should Contact Boohoff Law for Help
Ridesharing apps like Lyft appear to be here to stay. These options provide convenient, affordable, and comfortable ways to get around Tampa for those without cars or who don’t want to deal with driving and parking. It is also theoretically possible to reduce drunk driving by using rideshare services; partygoers can leave their cars at home and take a Lyft to and from their evening destination.
Despite all its benefits, this new mode of transportation also poses a higher risk of auto accidents. As more people opt to catch a Lyft rather than take public transportation, more traffic congests Tampa roads. Furthermore, Lyft drivers may drive around town for hours at a time “deadheading” to pick up fares.
Several drivers spend all day on the road, while others log into the app after a full day at work. Both fatigue and drowsy driving are well-known dangerous driving behaviors among rideshare drivers.
In addition, Florida law has certain criteria to protect passengers from known drunk drivers or criminal offenders. Drunk driving accidents can occur while ridesharing. Still, ridesharing drivers can vary greatly in skill and experience. Tires, brakes, and other critical components are solely the vehicle owner’s responsibility, with no government regulation or oversight, despite the commercial nature of their driving.
Residents of the Tampa area rely on Lyft to get home safely regularly. Unfortunately, Lyft cannot guarantee a safe ride. Lyft drivers are just like other drivers when it comes to causing accidents.
These factors increase the risk of being in a crash with a Lyft driver. In the event you suffered an injury in an accident with a rideshare driver, what can you do? Do you have any protection if you are a Lyft passenger who suffers an injury in a collision?
The process of filing a ridesharing accident claim can be complex. Sometimes, proving who is responsible for paying your damages can be difficult. An experienced Tampa Lyft accident lawyer can guide you through these difficult issues as you recover from your injury.
Boohoff Law handles all aspects of your Lyft accident claim.
For example, we will:
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- Determine all parties responsible and their insurance policies
- Defend yourself if the insurance company tries to undervalue your claim or blames you
- As needed, consult experts in accident reconstruction, medicine, and other specialties
You don’t need the hassle of negotiating with the insurance company. Let us handle it. Having decades of combined experience, we know the tricks insurance companies will use to deny or diminish the value of your claim, and we won’t stand for it.
For a free case evaluation, contact us today.
How Common Are Lyft Accidents in Tampa?
In recent years, ridesharing services like Lyft have become more prevalent. According to a recent survey, about 1.4 million Lyft drivers are on the road. People between the ages of 18 and 24 report using Lyft weekly. About half of users report using Lyft more than their vehicles.
It isn’t always straightforward to tell how common Lyft accidents are. Lyft drivers operate their own vehicles. Fatalities have increased in major cities since ridesharing companies entered the scene.
Since Lyft became available, traffic fatalities have increased by two to four percent yearly.
How Much Will a Tampa Lyft Accident Case Be Worth?
The value of a Lyft accident claim hinges on the severity of the injury.
Additionally, the value of your case depends on:
- Medical treatment costs
- Whether you can work during your recovery
- Loss of wages and income
- Property damage repair costs
- Emotional pain and suffering
Insurance policy caps also limit compensation for motor vehicle accident victims. Insurance only covers up to the limits of the policy. In cases where the at-fault party lacks sufficient assets to make the difference, the victim may suffer.
In Lyft accident cases, liability insurance is different. Since Lyft drivers are independent contractors, not employees, Lyft is not liable for damage after an accident. However, Florida law requires them to provide insurance coverage for accident victims.
Depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident, Lyft insurance coverage may be available. When the Lyft app is off, the driver is like anyone else on the road. The driver’s policy must cover damages related to the accident.
When the Driver Is Available To Accept A Lyft Ride
Lyft’s third-party liability coverage covers drivers using the Lyft app, so their auto insurance doesn’t apply.
The following coverage applies if a Lyft driver is available to accept a ride:
- Each person has $50,000 in bodily injury coverage
- Bodily injury coverage of $100,000 per accident
- Property damage coverage of $25,000 per accident
Because a personal insurance policy won’t cover damages when the driver uses the vehicle for commercial purposes, this coverage is crucial.
Ride Accepted by a Driver
If the driver accepts a ride, the following insurance is available:
- Third-party liability of $1 million
- Liability coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists
- Contingent collision coverage up to the actual value of the vehicle (with a deductible of $2,500)
This coverage applies when the driver transports a passenger in the Lyft vehicle. In addition, it applies while the driver is driving to pick up the Lyft passenger.
Suppose you are hit by a negligent rideshare driver while walking, bicycling, or riding another vehicle. In that case, your recovery options depend on the seriousness of your injuries and the driver’s status at the time of the accident. A driver who causes a crash that injures you while you are in a Lyft is also liable. You should hire a professional Lyft accident lawyer to represent you and ensure you pursue the right party for a successful outcome.
If another driver has hit you, the lawyers at our firm can help you file a claim against the at-fault driver.
How Can Lyft Accident Victims Get Compensation?
Under Florida law, Lyft accident victims can recover economic and non-economic damages.
The following are examples of economic damages:
- Medications
- Wages lost
- Costs of future medical care
- Loss of future earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Damage to property
Examples of non-economic damages include:
Victims can recover the full amount of their economic and non-economic damages. In rare cases, you can punish the responsible party with punitive damages.
We Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Lyft Accident Injuries
Depending on the circumstances, Lyft accident injuries can be as serious as any other auto accident injuries.
Whether you were a driver or a passenger, our team at Boohoff Law will fight for compensation for all of your Uber accident injuries, including:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Contusions, lacerations, and cuts
- Whiplash injuries
- Seat belt injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
These injuries all need medical treatment, and victims might miss significant time from work. Some Lyft accident victims experience lasting effects or permanent impairments from their injuries, leading to long-term financial, physical, and emotional losses.
If your family member or loved one died in a fatal Lyft accident, we can also help you fight to recover damages for the wrongful death. While seeking compensation can never bring back your parent, spouse, or child, it can help you achieve justice for their untimely death and put you in a better financial position as you move forward from your loss.
No matter what claim you have – personal injury or wrongful death – never wait to contact our legal team for the help you need.
