To get around quickly and easily, many people use ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. The downside is that drivers for these services may be recruited quickly even if they have no experience, and they often have to go to locations where they are unfamiliar with the roads. Every driver, no matter how much expertise they have, runs the risk of making mistakes or being a victim of another motorist’s carelessness at some point. However, accidents will happen, and using a ridesharing service does come with certain dangers. It might be difficult to know what to do after being in a ridesharing accident. It might be difficult to figure out which insurance to contact, who is at fault, and whether or not you are eligible for compensation. That’s why we put up this helpful list of steps you should take after a rideshare accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical assistance immediately, even if you don’t believe your injuries are severe. Although adrenaline and shock may mask your sensations of pain and other symptoms, seeing a doctor can give you a better understanding of the full nature of your injuries and help you avoid consequences. It is critical to make a connection between your accident and your health, regardless of the reason. If you don’t go to the hospital after your Uber accident, everyone will assume you weren’t hurt as badly as you truly are. Insurance companies are notorious for questioning every aspect of a claim and insisting that injuries not treated for many days are not significant. Keep duplicates of any injury-related paperwork, including medical bills.
Take Photos
If you are in a location where it is safe to do so, use your phone to take photographs and videos. Use pictures to record the scene of the incident as well as the damage sustained by any cars that were involved. It is also advised that a video be taken of the scene, as well as documentation of any traffic signs or signals that may play a part in determining who is liable for the incident. Take photos of the license plates of all of the vehicles that are involved. If you are able to, you should make an effort to get a video of the collision, and you should inform the authorities if any of the drivers involved seem to be intoxicated or acting erratically.
Contact Lawyer
A ridesharing accident lawyer should be consulted as quickly as possible, even if no injuries resulted from the incident. Without the guidance of an experienced attorney, the process of claiming damages for injuries and other losses may be daunting. You may avoid making any blunders in the claims procedure by getting in touch with a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible following an accident. You should listen to their counsel about the accident from the minute you call them. If you want to talk to the insurance company, the ridesharing business, or other drivers, you should either have your lawyer present or consult with one before doing so.
Call the Police
After an accident, dialing 911 is a must. You have many days to submit a report to the police, but doing so at the scene has several advantages. For example, you can be sure that the information you get from the other parties is reliable if the police are there. If there is any chance of harm (to any involved party), if cars cannot be moved out of the way of traffic safely, or if there is debris on the road that might represent a danger to other drivers, you should also notify the police.
Make a Record of Your Rideshare
If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft when the accident occurred, you should take a screenshot of the specifics of your rideshare, including the time and location, and send it to Uber or Lyft. Make sure to keep as many records as you possibly can. The more information you can provide, the higher the possibility that the individual who is responsible for your injuries will compensate you fairly for those injuries.
Report the Accident to Uber or Lyft
There are a few things you should know before ordering an Uber or Lyft. To begin, organizations that provide this service have insurance to cover damages caused by their drivers. Therefore, Uber or Lyft vehicle insurance or insurance policy will kick in to pay your losses if the at-fault rideshare driver does not have insurance. Third-party liability insurance for many ridesharing services typically provides coverage of $50,000 per injured party, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 per incident for property damage. Second, you need to get that insurance claim to the ridesharing company as quickly as possible. Your claim might be rejected if you wait too long to submit it.
Know How Much Money You Are Entitled To
It is crucial to know how much money you may legally demand after an accident involving an Uber or Lyft. You won’t be able to make smart choices if you don’t know how much compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. Again, this is something where the assistance of a lawyer may be invaluable. Uber and Lyft accident victims may seek monetary and non-monetary damages in numerous jurisdictions across the globe. They are entitled to recompense for their past, present, and potential future damages. If you need help determining how much to ask for in your insurance claim(s), a lawyer who specializes in car accident cases can do the math for you.
Since Uber’s inception in 2009, the popularity of ridesharing services has skyrocketed. Rather than taking the bus or hailing a cab, millions of individuals utilize ridesharing services every day. While ridesharing has become more common, it has also been linked to thousands of accidents annually. In the case of a collision, not only the drivers of the other vehicles involved but also the passengers in rideshare cars are at risk of injury. If you were a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in an accident and you were using ridesharing services, the seven steps mentioned above are the ones you need to take immediately.