Lyft can make a lot of promises about safety for passengers and drivers. Lyft will make it seem like there are protections in place if a rider is injured in an accident during the ride. That may be comforting before getting into a stranger's car but it may be a different story in the event of a real car accident. 

A Lyft rideshare passenger had the reality check of getting help after an accident. With promises from the company, the injury victim was bounced between insurance companies while trying to get the most basic care. If you are injured in an accident as the driver, passenger, or pedestrian, talk to an auto accident attorney to get protection without having to deal directly with the insurance companies. 

Tourist Left Without Care After Lyft Accident

Gabriel Diaz was a tourist visiting from Australia when he got into a Lyft in Seattle. Diaz was in the U.S. for 2 weeks, traveling around and visiting a number of sites. When riding in the Lyft, he looked to see the traffic light turn green before his ride continued into the intersection. Suddenly, a driver who ran the red light, crashed into the Lyft vehicle, injuring Diaz. 

Diaz was hit on the passenger side window in the accident, suffering neck and shoulder injuries. Diaz said the Lyft driver refused to call the police because both drivers thought no one was injured. However, Diaz remembered being hit in the head. In Washington, just as in Colorado, an injury accident has to be reported. 

Not surprisingly, the insurance companies tried to get out of covering any injuries. Diaz's traveler's insurance only covered him in Canada, the U.K., and Germany but not the U.S. Traveling on a tight budget, Diaz did not have the money to pay for medical care in the U.S. When Diaz tried to get the driver's insurance company to pay for medical care, the insurance companies put the burden on him. 

According to Diaz, the insurance company told him to get emergency care first and then deal with reimbursement. Diaz didn't have the money to pay for care upfront and asked for a guarantee. The insurance company couldn't guarantee that they would pay for anything. Diaz eventually paid out-of-pocket for a doctor's visit and the doctor diagnosed him with back trauma, referring him to a specialist, including a chiropractor. 

After 3 months, Diaz still has had no relief from the rideshare company or the insurance company for an accident that happened when he was a passenger in the Lyft driver's vehicle. Diaz has said he can't return home because he is unable to sit on a plane for 14 hours without suffering extreme pain and he can't get care in the U.S. because Lyft and the insurance company are requiring him to pay out-of-pocket for care before they will consider whether or not to reimburse him and how much they might want to pay. 

Lyft made broad promises about safety being a top priority. Lyft touted their insurance coverage. However, the reality on the ground is very different. In this case, Lyft said Diaz could seek compensation after dealing with the driver's insurance company. The insurance company is offering to settle the claim without covering any of the follow-up care, which was recommended by the doctor. 

You Don't Have to Fight With the Insurance Company

Just because you are covered by the rideshare company's policy does not mean the insurance company will pay out when you have a claim. It is not uncommon for injury victims to fight with the insurance company for months and eventually give up. An injury attorney can deal with the insurance company so you don't have to. 

If you have any questions about a Lyft accident, talk to an experienced Denver rideshare lawyer. Do not hesitate to contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation. We are here waiting for you.