After being hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, you should do three things right away - seek medical attention, call the police, and contact a lawyer.
1. Get Medical Help
Immediately after making sure you are out of the main traffic flow, find a way to get medical help. If you or anyone else is severely hurt, the best decision is to call 9-1-1; they will dispatch police and EMS services to your location.
If you did not get medical attention at the scene, make a doctor's appointment immediately if you feel any discomfort. Adrenaline can mask more serious symptoms, so seeing a doctor can help you get the treatment you need before your injuries worsen. Seeing a doctor or getting medical care at the scene helps link your injuries to the accident.
2. Call the Police
Many state laws mandate you contact the police after an accident. However, even without the said law in place, you should still call the police as they will investigate the accident, collect evidence, and write a police report which will support your claims on the happenings of the accident.
3. Contact a Lawyer
The sooner you contact a lawyer to start working on your case, the better. It will allow your attorney to investigate and analyze the case while the evidence is still fresh and untampered. Also, your attorney will have more time to build and file your case.
This helps your attorney stay within your state's statute of limitations.
Other Tasks that May Protect Your Right to Compensation
You can do several other things to protect your case:
- Obey your doctor's orders.
- Avoid posting about your accident on social media.
- Watch what you say to the insurance adjuster. We recommend that you only give the basics of the accident (e.g., when and where the accident happened) and then direct all further questions to us.
Rideshare Insurance Coverage Differs Depending on the Situation
Insurance coverage can be confusing in a rideshare accident. Different policies and coverage amounts apply in certain situations.
If the rideshare driver was on duty at the time of the accident, you will likely file for compensation with the rideshare company's insurer. Both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies to cover victims like yourself if the at-fault driver was on duty while the accident happened. For instance, here's what both Lyft's and Uber's insurance policies cover:
- If the driver is on the app but has yet to accept a trip, you will receive a maximum of $50,000 per injured person, $25,000 maximum for property damage, and $100,000 maximum per injury liability.
- If the driver was en route to pick up a client or had just completed a trip when the accident happened, you could receive a maximum of $1 million for the applicable damages.
- If the driver is offline, Uber will not compensate you. The rideshare driver's personal policy should cover your injuries and losses.
Depending on the state you are in, the coverage may differ. Our team will help you determine which policy applies.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me Following an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Often, car accident victims will need to take a step back from day-to-day activities to recover from their injuries. Instead of worrying about building a case against the rideshare driver or the company, you should be focusing on your recovery. To allow you to prioritize your recovery, our team will:
- File a claim with the driver or the rideshare company
- Visit the scene of the accident
- Gather evidence to help build your case
- Study the evidence in an attempt to determine who was at fault
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Update you on the happenings of your case
- Work alongside other professionals such as (but not limited to) accident reconstructionists and medics to determine the extent of your property damages and injuries
- Conduct interviews
- Represent you in court
- Answer legal questions
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft Directly?
You can sue Uber or Lyft directly in some cases. You can choose this option if you can prove that the accident happened due to negligence from the rideshare company, the company shares some blame, or the company is vicariously liable. However, we would advise you to pursue this option as a last resort.
Rideshare companies often argue that their drivers are independent contractors and not employees. Our team can determine whether this is a smart option for your case.
Can Dolman Law Group Help Me?
Of course, we can help you! We will investigate your accident, build your case, determine the value of your case, and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. We can also help you determine what you can do if your car was hit by a rideshare driver. Call us today for a free case evaluation.