Ridesharing services have become a common means of transportation. In the US, Uber has approximately 131 million monthly active users; Lyft has over 20 million.
While rideshare vehicles are a popular and convenient way to travel, it is unfortunate that not all passengers make it to their destinations safely. Many Uber and Lyft passengers and drivers are involved in severe or even fatal accidents.
If you have been involved in an accident on an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company ride, take the following steps to protect your physical and financial recovery.
Call 911
Your main priority after an accident is your health. Check yourself and anyone else in the car for any injuries. When it is safe and if your condition allows, check the people in the other vehicle for injuries.
Call 911 and let the dispatcher know if you or anyone else involved in the accident needs an ambulance. When the police arrive, write down the names and badge numbers of the officers and request a copy of the police report.
If you are a passenger and feel that you are uninjured, you may be tempted to request another rideshare vehicle and be on your way – don’t do this. You may have sustained injuries in the car accident that are not immediately apparent. Leaving the accident scene before the police report is completed could affect your getting compensation for your losses.
Exchange Contact Information
Be sure to exchange names, addresses, license plate numbers, and phone numbers with everyone involved in the rideshare accident. If you are a passenger, this includes your rideshare driver, the other driver, and any other passengers.
Ask the Uber driver for his or her insurance card and take a picture of it with your smartphone. If there were any pedestrians or other eyewitnesses present, obtain their contact information as well.
Take Photos
Documenting the accident scene can help to substantiate your personal injury claim.
Take photos or videos to capture:
- Damage to all vehicles involved in the rideshare accident
- Injuries you sustained
- Weather and road conditions
- Street signs and locations
- Skid marks or car debris from the collision
- Anything else that seems relevant to determining fault
Notify the Rideshare Company
In addition to filing a police report, you should notify the rideshare company of the accident. If you were riding in an Uber or Lyft, you can report the accident using the rideshare applications.
The report may request information regarding the location of the rideshare car accident, how the accident occurred, and if you were injured. Be honest when answering the questions. However, take care to avoid saying anything that could make it seem like you had a role in the accident or devalue your claim in any way.
File an Insurance Claim
If your driver was logged into the Uber or Lyft app and gave you a ride, your accident and injuries should be covered under the rideshare company’s insurance. Uber has an insurance policy of up to $1 million to cover passenger injuries, and Lyft has a similar policy.
However, if the driver was not logged into Uber or Lyft at the time of the accident, recovering compensation becomes more complicated. The rideshare company will probably not cover the expenses incurred in the accident. Instead, you will need to file a claim with the rideshare driver’s personal insurance company.
Consult a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Before quickly settling a claim with Uber, Lyft, or another company, it is recommended to consult a rideshare accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights. You may find out you are entitled to far more compensation than the rideshare company offers initially.
Recovering compensation following a Lyft or Uber accident may not always be straightforward. Rideshare accidents can be very complicated from a legal perspective. A personal injury lawyer can help you take the right steps, though, so you can make the most of your claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
A large company like Uber or Lyft can be intimidating to fight on your own. A personal injury attorney from our law firm can stand up for you and ensure you are treated fairly.
The insurance companies and lawyers that represent Uber or Lyft may try to pressure you into accepting a quick settlement. However, settling fast is not always in your best interests. It is recommended to speak to a rideshare accident lawyer before signing any paperwork.
Our legal team at Judd Shaw Injury Law prides itself on being our client’s “knights in shining armor.” It is part of the Judd Shaw Way. During your initial free consultation, we can answer any questions you have, review your case, and explain your rights and options.
Call us at 866-909-6894 or complete the contact form to schedule an appointment. A legal representative is available 24/7 to take your call.
Content edited by personal injury attorney Judd Shaw. From the beginning, Judd established a set of Core Values laying out the pursuit for excellence in client service. He is a regular host of the Working The Wow podcast, with the belief that providing an exceptional client experience is just as important as delivering a quality service or product. You can find us in Red Bank and Tom‘s River, New Jersey.