In a 2016 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, it was found that the rate of in-vehicle accidents is three times higher when using ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft than with traditional taxi services. The report found that 18% of Lyft and Uber drivers have been involved in an accident while they were driving for a ride-sharing service. This is significantly higher than the 5% rate of taxi drivers.
When you are injured in an accident that was caused by your ride-sharing driver or a car that was being used for ride-sharing services, it’s important to know how this may affect your claim for injuries. While the likelihood of such an accident is unusually high, it’s important to know how to hold your ride-sharing driver and their insurance company accountable for the accident.
Compensation for Ride-Sharing Car Accidents
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are part of the “sharing economy.” While you’re using these services, you are driving a car that is being used in part to provide transportation for others who need a ride at the same time. These shared services have come under fire from local governments for a number of reasons. One of the most important is that these services are unregulated and so any safety concerns are not covered by insurance. At the same time, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft) can have a significant financial impact on you and your family. If you were injured in an accident because of a ride-sharing driver or their car, it’s important that you seek compensation to make sure you get fair restitution for your injuries.
Steps to Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident:
1. Check for Injuries:
If you are the victim of an accident, it’s important to take the time to check yourself for injuries. This includes looking in your mouth, ears, eyes and any other body parts of your body that were struck during the accident. It’s also important to know how much pain is felt after being involved in an accident like this. If you were injured in a crash with a ride-sharing car, try and remember what it felt like when the incident occurred.
2. Contact the Police:
While a trip to the hospital will likely be your first stop after an accident, you also need to contact the police. They will need to know what happened in order for them to gather evidence and help with the investigation of a crash. Knowing the details of what happened can help provide more information for your case. For instance, if you were injured in a car accident caused by your ride-sharing driver, it’s helpful that you can remember how the accident occurred and what led up to it.
3. Gather Potential Evidence:
Once an accident is under investigation, a police officer will ask you to provide them with information and evidence. If this is an Uber or Lyft accident, they may ask you to provide the name of the car company as well as the incident date and time. If you are able to provide any photos of the damage to both vehicles, make sure that they are turned over to the police immediately after being taken. You can use this information to help your medical provider determine a full recovery from your injuries.
4. Report the Accident to Uber or Lyft:
Once you have thoroughly documented the details of your crash with the police, it’s important to report it to Uber or Lyft. While no company would want riders getting into an accident, there are still regulations that need to be followed if you want your insurance claim covered. If you were unable to report the accident to Uber or Lyft because of the serious nature of your injuries, it’s a good idea to do so as soon as possible.
5. Write Down What Happened:
When you are ready to file your claim, it’s important that you document every detail in a journal. This includes the time of the accident, what happened and how your car was damaged. You can also take photographs of the damage to both cars and any other evidence you find at the scene of the accident. If you need more help with documenting your case, consider hiring an attorney who can guide you through the process.
Uber and Lyft Passenger Insurance:
If you were injured in a Lyft or Uber accident and were not the driver, you may still be able to file a claim for damages. At the time of your injury, Lyft or Uber provide basic liability coverage. This means that if you were injured as a passenger in a ride-sharing car and filed a claim for compensation for injuries, the insurance company is required to cover these claims. With most insurance companies, this coverage is provided under their “rideshare” protection plan. Lyft and Uber will also provide additional coverage if you are seriously injured in an accident.
If a serious injury or wrongful death occurs on the Lyft app, your passengers may also be able to recover under the terms of their insurance policy. If you were not at fault for the accident, Uber or Lyft might be held liable for damages and your medical bills. If this is the case, you need to work with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer who can make sure your case is properly filed.
Conclusion:
While you may not believe that there is much chance of being injured in a Lyft or Uber accident, the statistics say otherwise. If you were involved in an accident involving a ride-sharing driver, it’s important to take the time to assess your injuries and get the medical treatment necessary. Once this is done, contact your insurance agent and make sure you are protected by your personal car insurance policy. Then report the accident to your ride-sharing driver as well as the police.
