Estero Lyft Accident Lawyer
During coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, demand for Lyft ridesharing services plummeted, as did the number of ridesharing operators. Now, demand has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, but supply still lags behind. As a result, many Lyft drivers have little driving experience and operate in unfamiliar parts of town. The resulting over-reliance on GPS navigation devices causes many ridesharing crashes.
The determined Estero Lyft accident lawyer at Cardinal Law normally settles these claims out of court. As outlined below, settlement is a process, not a result. This process begins with identifying the cause of the crash, determining the appropriate legal course of action, and collecting evidence that supports the victim/plaintiff’s case. Then, and only then, can settlement negotiations begin in earnest.
Pre-Filing Settlements and Estero Lyft Accident Lawyer
If central issues in the case, usually liability and damages, are clear, the insurance company must settle the case within a few weeks. Usually, however, these claims feature liability and/or damages issues.
Liability is legal responsibility for the wreck. The Lyft driver may not be legally responsible for a wreck even if an emergency responder determined the Lyft driver was at fault.
Comparative fault might be the most common legal defense in vehicle collision cases. If, for example, the tortfeasor (negligent driver) was speeding and the other driver was speeding, the jury could shift blame for the accident from one party to the other one.
Damages is the amount of compensation due. By the book, compensation is straightforward. It usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
In practice, this issue is often complex. That’s especially true if the victim didn’t immediately see a doctor. In these cases, insurance company lawyers usually argue that the victim’s injuries are exaggerated.
We should pause and note that injured passengers have the same legal and financial rights as injured drivers. For example, if Laura Lyft driver takes a curve too fast and loses control of her vehicle, her Lyft passenger is eligible for compensation. Usually Lyft, not Laura, is financially responsible for this compensation.
Liability and damage issues delay settlement. But this delay is not necessarily a bad thing. If a claim settles too early, it will not account for all probable future medical expenses, meaning that the victim will be financially responsible for them.
Post-Filing Settlements
In addition to liability and damage disputes, insurance company negotiating tactics often delay settlement. Frequently, insurance company lawyers tender low-ball offers accompanied by a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum.
Such tactics are out of bounds during mediation. Usually, a civil filing triggers a mandatory mediation requirement. That’s one of the main reasons Estero Lyft accident lawyer file legal paperwork.
During mediation, both sides have a duty to negotiate in good faith. Insurance company lawyers must make reasonable offers and counter-offers. Furthermore, they must demonstrate a willingness to compromise and reach a settlement agreement. They cannot simply go through the motions.
Furthermore, mediation usually happens toward the end of the litigation process. At this point, insurance companies have usually spent thousands of dollars defending the claim and they’re anxious to end the matter.
Even if the two sides are very far apart in terms of the settlement amount, mediation usually works. Civil mediation is about 90 percent successful in Lee County.
Rely on a Savvy Lee County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Estero Lyft accident lawyer, contact Cardinal Law, P.A. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.
