Wichita Falls Lyft Accident Lawyer

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Getting hurt in a Lyft accident in Wichita Falls can turn your life upside down fast. Medical bills pile up, your car may be totaled, and you might not be able to work. What makes these cases different from a regular car accident is that a corporation with deep pockets, and its own team of lawyers and insurance adjusters, is involved the moment you file a claim. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we represent injured people in Wichita Falls and throughout North Texas who are going up against rideshare companies and their insurers. If you or someone you love was hurt in a Lyft crash, call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation today.

Table of Contents

How Texas Law Classifies Lyft and What That Means for Your Claim

Lyft is legally classified as a Transportation Network Company, or TNC, under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2402. A Transportation Network Company is a company that allows a passenger to arrange a ride through a digital network. That classification matters because it determines what rules apply, what insurance must be in place, and who can be held responsible when something goes wrong.

In May 2017, Texas lawmakers passed HB 100, a statewide TNC bill that, among other things, nullified all local TNC regulations. This means that Wichita Falls cannot create its own separate rules for Lyft. The state rules are the ones that govern your case, no matter where in Texas the accident happened.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is the state agency charged with implementing the state TNC regulations. TDLR issues permits to companies like Lyft and has the authority to suspend or revoke those permits if the company fails to follow the law. TNCs are required to keep all individual ride records for five years and driver records for at least five years after the date the driver ceases to be authorized as a driver for the TNC. A TNC is also required to keep records showing evidence of compliance with all state requirements for two years.

This record-keeping requirement is important for injured victims. It means that evidence, including driver history and trip data, must be preserved. Acting quickly after an accident gives your attorney the best chance of securing those records before they become harder to access. Wichita Falls residents who have been hurt near busy corridors like Kell Freeway or Southwest Parkway should contact an attorney right away to protect that evidence.

Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Depends on What the Driver Was Doing at the Time of the Crash

The single most important factor in a Lyft accident claim is what period the driver was in when the crash happened. The exact amount of coverage required depends on the “period” of rideshare when you’re driving. Understanding these periods can mean the difference between a full recovery and a frustrating dead end.

When the Lyft app is completely off, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. When the rideshare app is off, your personal auto insurance policy applies as usual. Texas law requires minimum coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage during the period when the app is on but no passenger has been assigned.

The coverage picture changes dramatically once a driver accepts a ride or has a passenger in the car. Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage for accidents occurring during an active trip, protecting passengers and third parties. This $1 million policy applies whether you are the passenger in the Lyft vehicle or a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver of another car who was hit by a Lyft driver who had accepted a ride.

Texas law also requires that Lyft provide Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage for its drivers. This coverage can protect you if another driver who caused the accident does not have adequate insurance. Knowing which coverage tier applies to your accident is something our attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys work to determine from the very start of your case.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Wichita Falls Lyft Accident

Liability in a Lyft accident is rarely simple. Multiple parties can share responsibility for your injuries, and identifying all of them is essential to recovering full compensation. Our personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys investigate every angle of your case to make sure no responsible party is overlooked.

The Lyft driver is the most obvious potential defendant. If the driver ran a red light near Midwestern State University, was distracted by the app, or was speeding on US-287, that driver’s negligence can form the basis of your claim. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, which means you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.

Rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors, not employees. This deliberate legal distinction allows Uber and Lyft to distance themselves from their drivers’ conduct and try to avoid direct responsibility for accidents they cause. However, Lyft can still face liability in certain situations, such as when it failed to properly screen a driver. TNCs must conduct a criminal background check on all of their applicants, and it must cover at least one nationwide database. The TNC cannot accept any driver who has a conviction within the preceding seven years for any of the following offenses.

If Lyft put a driver on the platform who had a disqualifying criminal history or a dangerous driving record, and that driver then hurt you, Lyft may bear direct liability for its own negligence in the screening process. Other parties, such as a vehicle manufacturer if a defect caused the crash, or another negligent driver, can also be brought into the claim.

Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident in Wichita Falls That Protect Your Claim

What you do in the hours after a Lyft accident can have a direct impact on the value of your case. Taking the right steps protects your health and preserves the evidence your attorney will need.

Call 911 immediately. A police report is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in any injury case. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, crash reports can be released to anyone directly involved in the accident, including injured victims and their authorized representatives. Your attorney can obtain this report and use it to establish the facts of the crash.

Get medical attention even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries or internal damage may not show obvious symptoms right away. A medical record created close in time to the accident is much harder for an insurance company to dispute. If you were injured near the United Regional Health Care System or another Wichita Falls medical facility, that documentation becomes part of your case file.

Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any vehicle damage. Note whether the Lyft app was active on the driver’s phone. Do not give a recorded statement to Lyft’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Injury victims do not receive automatic compensation for their injuries. If you are injured in a rideshare accident and the rideshare driver is at fault, you will likely face certain pushback from the insurance company handling your case, especially if high-dollar compensation totals are on the table.

What Damages You Can Recover in a Wichita Falls Lyft Accident Case

Texas law allows injured victims to pursue several categories of damages after a Lyft accident. The goal is to make you whole after someone else’s negligence turned your life upside down.

Economic damages cover your actual financial losses. These include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. If your injuries are serious, such as a spinal injury or a traumatic brain injury, future medical costs can be substantial. Expert witnesses, including medical professionals and economists, can be called to testify about the long-term financial impact of your injuries. Under the standard established in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U.S. 579 (1993), expert testimony must be based on reliable methodology, and our attorneys work with qualified experts who meet that standard.

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a price tag. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship for a spouse or family member all fall into this category. Texas does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, which means the full scope of your suffering can be presented to a jury.

Punitive damages, known in Texas as exemplary damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003, may be available if the conduct that caused your injuries was grossly negligent or intentional. For example, if a Lyft driver was intoxicated, a TNC company is required to maintain an Intoxicating Substance Policy that prohibits a driver who is logged in to the company’s digital network from any amount of intoxication. A driver who violated that policy while on the job could expose both themselves and Lyft to a claim for exemplary damages. Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in another matter, as each case depends on its own unique facts and applicable law.

Why the Statute of Limitations Matters for Your Wichita Falls Lyft Accident Case

Texas gives most personal injury victims two years to file a lawsuit. This deadline is set by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. If you miss it, you lose your right to sue, regardless of how strong your case is.

Two years may sound like a long time, but it goes fast. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move away or forget details. Lyft’s records retention obligations have their own timelines. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of building a strong case.

There are limited exceptions to the two-year deadline. If the injured person is a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18. If the defendant fraudulently concealed facts that prevented you from discovering your claim, the deadline may be extended. However, these exceptions are narrow and should not be relied upon without legal advice.

Wichita Falls residents who were injured near Lake Wichita, along Kemp Boulevard, or anywhere else in Wichita County should not wait. The Denton County District Court and courts in Wichita County both handle personal injury cases, and filing in the right court with the right evidence from the start matters. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to speak with us about your case before time runs out.

FAQs About Wichita Falls Lyft Accident Lawyer

Can I sue Lyft directly if their driver caused my accident in Wichita Falls?

You may have a claim against Lyft directly in certain situations, such as when Lyft failed to properly screen the driver or allowed a driver with a disqualifying background to operate on the platform. However, because Lyft classifies its drivers as independent contractors under Texas Occupations Code Section 2402.114, the company often tries to avoid direct liability for a driver’s negligence. An attorney can review the specific facts of your case to determine which parties can be held responsible.

What if the Lyft driver who hit me did not have a passenger in the car at the time?

The coverage that applies depends on whether the driver’s app was on or off at the time of the crash. If the app was on and the driver was waiting for a ride request, Texas law requires minimum coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury. If the app was off entirely, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Identifying the driver’s exact status at the time of the crash is one of the first things our attorneys investigate.

How long does a Lyft accident claim take to resolve in Texas?

There is no single answer, because every case is different. Some claims resolve through a negotiated settlement within a few months. Others, particularly those involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurers, may take longer or require filing a lawsuit. The two-year statute of limitations under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 sets the outer boundary for filing suit, but acting sooner gives your attorney more time to build your case and negotiate from a position of strength.

What if I was a Lyft passenger and the driver caused the accident?

As a passenger, you are generally not at fault for the accident. If the Lyft driver caused the crash while you were in the vehicle, Lyft’s $1 million liability policy applies to cover your injuries. You can pursue a claim for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. You should report the accident through the Lyft app, seek medical attention right away, and contact an attorney before speaking with any insurance adjuster.

Does Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handle Lyft accident cases from Wichita Falls even though the firm is based in Denton?

Yes. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys represents injured clients throughout North Texas, including Wichita Falls and Wichita County. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in Texas and handle personal injury cases across the state. Distance is not a barrier to getting the help you need. You can reach us by calling (940) 800-2500, and we offer free consultations so you can learn about your options without any upfront cost.

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