Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing apps have made public transportation affordable and convenient. 36 percent of Americans using ridesharing apps instead of car rental. Over 2.4 million Uber and Lyft drivers were actively using US roads. This exponential growth in the rideshare industry has also led to an influx in road accidents by 3 percent. Here’s what you need to do after an Uber or Lyft car accident.
What you should do after you get into rideshare accidents
Half of all fatal accidents in the US are linked to Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers. These are mainly linked to the driver’s negligence. Rideshare drivers spend 40–60% of their time looking for clients. This is the time they are driving around or moving to hotspots. At such times, the driver is distracted or using their Uber or Lyft app while driving. Whether you are a rideshare passenger, driver, or a third party, you deserve fair compensation for your damages. Do this immediately after an accident.
Call 911 to make a formal police report
After an accident, you need to call 911 immediately to file your report. This is regardless of whether you have sustained injuries or not. Make sure to record your statement with the police within 24 hours. The police officer who responds to your distress call will take details such as the vehicle type and registration number, people and property involved in the crash, name and statements from the driver, passengers and other witnesses, diagrams of the accident scene and how the accident occurred. Get a receipt from the police officer to help you collect a copy of the report later.
Collect evidence
Uber and Lyft have their own definitions of car accidents, limiting their liability coverage. To succeed in your Uber or Lyft car accident claim, you should be able to prove that the accident was caused by the Uber or Lyft rideshare driver. If you are a driver, you need to prove that you were using the app during the accident. Take photos of the accident scene before anybody interferes with it. Show how the accident occurred, where you were at the time of the accident, and how it affected you.
Get the at-fault driver’s car insurance details
Rideshare car accidents are not always straightforward. Uber and Lyft don’t always take full responsibility for accidents caused by rideshare drivers. As a result, these drivers have two auto insurance policies. Some Uber drivers use commercial insurance policies. Get their auto insurance details if they are hit during a ride or by a rideshare driver. If you are an Uber or Lyft driver, get the other driver’s auto insurance details.
Witness statements
It’s tough to prove a car accident claim against Uber or Lyft without enough evidence. If there are any witnesses, such as a rideshare client or bystanders, make sure to get their statement. Let them narrate what they saw and where they were at the time of the accident. Remember to get their names and phone numbers because you may need them in the future.
Report to the rideshare company
If you are a rider or driver in the middle of a trip, go to your app’s “Help” section and file a report. If not, call Uber support at 800-354-8237 or send them an email with your report via support@uber.com. To report using the Help button, follow this procedure: click help>more>legal, privacy and other inquiries>report a serious accident involving a driver or vehicle>I was in an accident. Rideshare drivers may lose access to the rideshare service until the investigations are over.
Medical attention
As the accident victim, seek immediate medical help to save your life. Whether you feel physical pain or not, you need a proper examination by a doctor. They will examine you physically for any pain and swelling, run scans to determine if you have internal injuries, and treat you for any physical injuries. A doctor’s comprehensive report will show the extent of injuries sustained.
Call the auto insurance company
If you are an Uber or Lyft driver, contact your insurance company. If you are a rider or third party involved in a rideshare car accident, contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Call an attorney
Most Uber and Lyft accidents happen due to driver distraction, inexperience, drowsy driving, fatigue, and using unfamiliar routes. It may be hard to win such cases as a rideshare driver. Additionally, Uber and Lyft take liability only if the rideshare driver was logged into the Uber or Lyft app or carrying a paying client at the time of the accident. Uber or Lyft accident victims may lose their cases if this condition is not met. Also, Uber and Lyft insurance coverage may not be enough for your damages. Experienced Pennsylvania rideshare accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve from car accident claims.
Why you should hire a lawyer after Uber or Lyft rideshare accidents
Rideshare injury claims can be complicated. If a motor vehicle accident occurs inside an Uber or Lyft, the rideshare liability coverage may compensate you for the following:
- Bodily injury on the rideshare driver or passenger
- Property damage
Car accident victims involving Uber and Lyft do not get compensation for:
- Wrongful death
- Lost wages as independent contractors investigate the accident
- Trauma faced by rideshare passengers who witness fatal traffic accidents during a ride
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Damages that occur when the driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app
Victim of rideshare accident in Media, PA? Talk to Siddons for help
While Uber’s corporate structure complicates holding the company liable, it’s possible to get compensation through the driver’s personal insurance or even the company’s insurance. The way Uber and Lyft handle motor vehicle accident cases involving their drivers and rideshare passengers is discouraging. Apart from the low liability coverage, these companies do not cover non-fatal accident victims. Siddons law firm have experienced personal injury lawyers who can help you file and prove your rideshare accident claim. Our goal is to ensure that you get the maximum compensation you deserve. Call us today at 610-255-7500 for a free consultation.
