Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing companies have become increasingly popular through the recent years. They offer on-demand transportation at your fingertips, with a high quality service and live tracking so customers know to the minute when their driver will arrive to pick them up.
However, with this increase in popularity, ride-sharing accidents are also on the rise. If you use Uber — or any other ride-share program — it's important to know what you should do as a passenger in the event of an accident, including how to receive compensation for any losses or injuries sustained.
Immediately Following an Accident
Immediately following a ride-sharing accident, it's understandable that you will be emotional, with the possibility of physical pain. While the scene of the accident might be a little chaotic, it's important that you take these immediate steps to protect yourself for the future:
- Check yourself, other passengers, and the Uber driver for injuries.
- Call 911 and the police immediately following the accident.
- Seek medical attention immediately — even if you do not have any noticeable injuries.
- Collect the contact information and insurance of the Uber driver and other drivers involved in the accident.
- Collect the contact information of any witnesses.
- Contact an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer you can trust.
- Take photos of the accident and all injuries.
Where Does Liability Fall?
Since the increased use of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, questions about liability have become a growing concern to riders. Pinpointing who is liable in these types of cases can be complicated. This is in part due to the insurance being split between the driver's personal insurance and the company's insurance policy. In the majority of cases, a driver's personal insurance will deny the claim because the driver is “driving to hire.” This is where the company insurance steps in to make sure the customer is covered.
In certain circumstances, because of specific accident and driver details, the rideshare company involved in the accident may deny the claim. While the most popular ride-sharing companies, including Uber and Lyft, will cover uninsured drivers and take responsibility when apps are online, if the app is not online during the accident, both companies will do everything in their power to avoid the claim.
Contacting an Uber and Lyft Attorney
If you have been involved in an accident at the fault of an Uber or Lyft driver and sustained personal injuries as a result, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced Uber and Lyft attorney will help you through the insurance claims process and obtain vital documents, such as a police report, medical records, phone records, and more.
Your attorney can thoroughly review the details of your claim and build a strong claim in your favor. After an Uber or Lyft driver accident, your priority should be recovering from this traumatic experience. Let attorneys at the Weinstein Legal Team work on your behalf to fight for the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation today.
