What Is the Average Lyft Accident Settlement Amount in Florida?

After a Lyft accident in Florida, the steps you take could make or break your case. This is because insurance companies will not part with their money without fighting. Instead, they will try to find every legal loophole to avoid taking financial responsibility for the accident. 

However, when you have facts on your side and follow the correct procedures after the accident, no amount of intimidation will stop you from fighting for what you are entitled to as compensation. Here's what to do after a Lyft accident in Florida. 

Contact the Police

Most individuals involved in a car accident underestimate the importance of contacting local law enforcement. Failure to contact the police could be the one mistake that breaks your case. When you contact the police, you will file a Traffic Collision Report. This report comes in handy when proving that the accident indeed occurred. A police report documents the details of the accident, such as:

• names of parties involved;
• date of the accident;
• location of the accident;
• amount of damage caused;
• description of the accident;
• witness accounts;
• contact information of parties involved, and so on.

This report makes it even more difficult for the defense to dismiss the accident.

Seek Medical Attention

You need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Remember, your health comes first. Secondly, not seeking medical attention could mean that you were not actually injured during the accident. But this is not necessarily true; some people don't like hospital visits. In fact, very few people do.

But when it comes to personal injury law, you cannot argue your case without facts. For example, if you got injured, the defense will ask for proof of medical records. Some may even try to link your injuries to a pre-existing condition.

Suppose you have a history of back problems and then suffer a spinal cord injury after the accident; it may be difficult to prove that the spinal cord injury was part of your back problems. However, having a medical report can help prove otherwise. 

Document the Accident

Take pictures of the accident scene if possible. While taking the pictures, focus on the surroundings first and then narrow down to the damages caused by the accident. As mentioned before, the defense will try to find ways to dispute or dismiss your claim, but it may be difficult to do so when you have sufficient evidence. 

Collect the Other Driver's Information

Even though the other driver's information may be readily available in the police report, there are certain isolated cases where the police may not be able to trace the other driver right away. This happens mostly in hit-and-run accidents. If you can, take the other driver's license plate number, their driver's license, or insurance information.

Know Who to Speak to and What to Say

Insurance companies usually try to contact victims of accidents caused by their insured right after the accident. They do this to prevent them from talking to an attorney about the accident. While insurance agents may sound friendly over the phone, you need to remember that they will always serve their employer's interest, not yours. 

For this reason, avoid speaking with any insurance agent or representative about your injuries. However, if they contact you about the accident, you can provide general information about the time, date, and location. 

Insurance claims adjusters will always find ways to reduce your claim or dismiss it completely. They do this by acquiring your side of the story and then manipulating it to serve their employer's interest. However, when you have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side, you can simply ask the insurance company to talk to your attorney if they have any questions about the accident. 

Consider the Time Factor

After a car accident in Florida, you may be eligible for personal injury compensation. However, under PIP coverage, you are required to seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident. Most people do not have this kind of information at their fingertips. They only find out days later when it is too late to file such a claim. 

This also explains why it is crucial to consult a car accident attorney right after an accident or as soon as possible. Such an attorney understands the deadlines for filing car accident claims and will fight for your rights as you focus on recovering from the accident.

When involved in a Lyft accident in Florida, the last thing you want is to hire any ordinary personal injury attorney. Instead, you need to talk to an experienced rideshare attorney with the kind of experience and resources needed to fight for your rights. As we've discussed before, claims involving rideshare accidents are complicated.

Things get even more complicated when multiple insurance companies are involved. You can be sure that no insurance company will willingly step up and admit that their client was at fault for the accident. Therefore, you need an attorney who will do whatever it takes to hold them accountable. 

That's where Morgan & Morgan rideshare lawyers come in. Whether the Lyft driver or the other driver was at fault for your injury, our experienced attorneys know how to navigate the complex legal process to ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve. 

With over $20 billion recovered from various personal injury claims and at least $120 million in car accident claims, our law firm has a solid reputation for providing the best legal representation for injury victims all over the United States. Some of these accidents come with life-changing effects, and you do not have to go through the pain alone. 

Insurance companies make billions of dollars every year, and you shouldn't have to pay for something you're already covered for. Talk to us at 877-515-6977 or fill out our free consultation form online, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.