In most ways, rideshare accidents are no different than regular car accidents. Nevertheless, your insurance claim might be more complicated. Whether you get hit by a rideshare driver or sustain injuries while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you will need to protect your interests at the scene of the accident and afterward.
What To Do After a Rideshare Accident
A rideshare accident is a type of car crash, so you can still follow our “6 Tips on What to do Immediately Following a Car Accident.”
Make sure to call 911 if you or anyone in the crash is seriously injured and accept medical transportation if you need it. Otherwise, call the police to the scene of the collision and ensure everyone is safe. While you wait for the police to arrive, you can take photographs of the damage to both vehicles, the accident site, and any injuries you may have sustained. You should also exchange information with everyone involved in the accident, including the rideshare driver, all passengers, and any witnesses.
Sometimes, rideshare accidents involve more people than a standard car crash. If an Uber or Lyft driver hits you, don’t forget to talk to any passengers that may have been in the car, and if you are an Uber or Lyft passenger, gather all the information you would need if you were the one driving – plus your driver’s contact and insurance information.
Remember not to apologize or discuss fault with anyone at the scene of the accident and always ask for a copy of the police report. Never leave the scene of the accident until the police say it’s okay and see your doctor, even if you feel fine.
Exercise caution when talking about the accident and consult an attorney before you speak to insurance companies, especially the other driver’s adjuster or anyone representing Uber or Lyft.
Who Is Liable for Rideshare Accidents?
The at-fault driver will be liable for any injuries or damages you suffer during a rideshare accident, but multiple insurance companies may be involved. Before you can recover anything from Uber or Lyft, you must make a claim against the driver’s insurance policy. If your claim is denied or the driver’s policy limits are not enough to compensate you, Uber or Lyft may offer additional coverage.
Both companies always have up to $1 million of liability coverage when customers are in the car, but you must exhaust the Uber or Lyft driver’s personal insurance policy before the extra coverage kicks in.
If you get into a car accident with an off-duty Uber or Lyft driver, the company does not provide any additional coverage, and you will have to make do with a standard insurance claim. If the driver is working but has not accepted a passenger, some additional coverage may be available.
Although liability rests with the at-fault driver no matter what kind of car crash you get into, Uber and Lyft claims vary based on what the at-fault driver was doing at the time of the accident.
Neither Uber nor Lyft takes responsibility for driver behavior, but both companies offer some coverage to avoid lawsuits.
If you need help determining who is liable for a car accident and what kind of insurance coverage is available to you, please do not hesitate to contact Action Law Group.
Our team understands the physical, emotional, and financial hardships a rideshare accident can cause, and we’ve been handling cases like yours since 2015.
Call us at (203) 439-3143 or contact us online to discuss your situation during a free consultation – you will not owe any fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.