Leading Rideshare Safety Guide: Essential Steps to Take in the Event of an Accident while Riding Uber or Lyft

Mumbai, India, May 17, 2023 – Rideshare apps are popular across the U.S. with millions of people taking Uber or Lyft rides yearly. You can download the Uber or Lyft app on your smartphone and call for a ride to get to your intended destination in nearly any city you visit. When you use the Uber or Lyft app as a transportation resource, you likely expect you’ll enjoy an easy experience and reach your destination without incident. Unfortunately, however, Uber and Lyft drivers are just as likely to be involved in accidents as any other drivers.
If you are involved in an accident while taking a ride with Uber or Lyft, you might not know what to do. Just like any other type of car accident, there are specific steps you should take following a rideshare accident to protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s what to know about Uber and Lyft accidents and what to do when you are involved in one.

What Should a Passenger Do in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident while riding as a passenger can be incredibly jarring. You might not understand what to do or how to handle the situation. If you suffered injuries, you might have medical expenses, be forced to miss work while you recover, and experience ongoing pain and other related problems.
On their websites, Uber and Lyft provide few instructions for passengers when they are involved in accidents. However, Uber and Lyft drivers are instructed to call 911 and check their passengers for injuries following accidents. They are also instructed to request medical attention for anyone who is injured when they are involved in accidents. Because of the nature of their businesses, Uber and Lyft have a vested interest in keeping their customers safe so that they will remain loyal.
While both companies want to keep their customers safe, they also must focus on protecting the safety of their drivers and people in other vehicles. If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you can reach out to either company through the app. However, it isn’t very clear what will happen after you notify Uber or Lyft about your accident.
Whenever you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you will need to gather as much information about what happened as possible, including information about the time of day, the location where your accident occurred, the road conditions, and both drivers. You will need to gather the following information:

• The name, address, and phone number of your Lyft or Uber driver
• The name, address, and phone number of the other driver
• Your Lyft or Uber Driver’s insurance information
• The other driver’s insurance information
• Each vehicle’s registration number, license plate number, make, and model
• The names, phone numbers, and addresses of all witnesses

If you can, it’s a good idea to take photographs and write down notes about your injuries and the damage to both vehicles. Uber and Lyft accidents can be complex because they might involve three different auto insurance companies, including the rideshare driver’s insurance company, the other driver’s insurance company, and Uber or Lyft’s insurance company. Because of this, getting as much information as possible after your accident is important so that you can figure out how to proceed.

Steps to Take Following an Uber or Lyft Accident

Immediately after your Uber or Lyft accident, the first thing you should do is to check yourself and everyone else to make sure that everyone is okay. If you or anyone else has sustained injuries, immediate medical attention will be necessary. Even if you are unsure whether anyone has been injured, it’s still a good idea to summon help just in case. Erring on the side of caution is always a good idea following a car crash.
Uber and Lyft accidents share many similarities with other types of car crashes. Here are some specific steps to take following a rideshare accident when you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft:

1. Call 911

Right after your accident, you should call 911 to report your accident. Your Uber or Lyft driver should call, but you should do so, too just to make sure the police will respond to the scene. Wait at the accident scene with your driver to speak with the police. While you might consider hailing a different ride to continue to your destination, it’s best to wait. Once the police arrive, they will speak to everyone involved to try to understand what happened. The police officer will write a report that includes their initial determination of liability and details about the collision that can be very helpful if you file a claim. Ask the officer for the name of the law enforcement agency that responded to the crash so that you can get a copy of the report later.

2. Document the Scene

If you can, use your smartphone’s camera feature to take photographs to document the scene. Make sure to take pictures showing the positions of each vehicle involved with each other, the damage to every vehicle, any accident debris on the street, tire skid marks from either vehicle, the weather and road conditions, and any other details that you think might be relevant. It’s best to take more pictures than you think are necessary. Photographs from the accident scene can help your attorney and the insurance companies understand what happened and who is liable.
In addition to taking pictures of the accident scene, write down every detail you can recall about the accident as soon as you can. As time passes, your memories of what occurred can fade. Writing down the details right after your crash can help you remember what happened.

3. Gather Everyone’s Contact Information
   Ask both your Uber or Lyft driver, the other driver, any other passenger, and all witnesses for their names and contact information. It can be hard to determine who is at fault in the immediate aftermath of a car crash. Getting everyone’s contact information can allow your lawyer and the insurance companies to follow up with each person to learn what they saw.
4. Report the Accident
   After you have reported what happened to the police, you should also report the accident to the following parties:

• Uber or Lyft
• The Uber or Lyft driver’s insurance company
• The other driver’s insurance company
• Your insurance company

Contact each of these parties immediately to preserve your ability to file a claim. Many companies have time frames within which a claim must be filed.

5. Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t think you were injured, you should still go to the doctor to get checked out following an Uber or Lyft accident. Some serious injuries can have delayed symptoms that might not show up for hours or days. Getting immediate medical care can help to identify hidden injuries and ensure you receive prompt treatment. Doing so can also help to show any injuries were caused by the accident instead of a different incident.

6. Consult a Rideshare Accident Attorney

Rideshare accidents can be legally complex. It’s a good idea to consult an experienced Uber and Lyft attorney as soon as possible after your accident. An attorney can help you understand your legal options and the steps to take to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses. Thankfully, most rideshare accident lawyers offer free consultations, so speaking with an attorney won’t cost you anything.

Insurance Coverage in an Uber or Lyft Accident

As a passenger, your auto insurance likely will not apply when you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident. Instead, the policies held by each driver and Uber or Lyft’s insurance might apply. As a passenger, you should be able to recover compensation when you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, regardless of whether your rideshare driver or the other motorist was at fault.
Both Lyft and Uber provide coverage of up to $1 million per accident. If the other driver caused your accident, their insurance policy might also provide coverage for your injuries. An attorney can help to sort out the insurance policies that might apply and seek compensation for you.

What to Know as a Passenger Following an Uber or Lyft Accident

If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident while riding as a passenger, you should know the following things:

• As a rideshare passenger who is injured in an accident while using the app, you will not be liable unless extreme and unusual circumstances apply.
• You might suffer hidden injuries that are not immediately obvious, so you should seek immediate medical attention after your collision.
• You might be able to file third-party claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy and Uber or Lyft.
• An experienced attorney might help you recover full compensation for your losses while simplifying the claims process.

Being involved in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft car can be disconcerting and confusing. Fortunately, you should be able to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Taking proper steps right after your accident can help to protect your health while preserving your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.

References

[1] Steven M. Sweat, APC: “Uber Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles”.

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Elyn McKenzie

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