Rideshare Accidents – Uber / Lyft
Legal Support for Rideshare Service Accidents
Hurt in a Lyft or Uber Car Accident? Here's What to Do
Ridesharing has become the transportation mode of choice for many. Whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, or necessity, Uber and Lyft offer a convenient service. In 2020 alone, Uber reported five billion trips taken globally with Uber drivers, according to their 2021 Investor Presentation. Remember this is just one rideshare company’s numbers.
As with any type of transportation, however, there are risks. In fact, a University of Chicago Booth School of Business study found there’s been a 3% increase in fatal car accidents since rideshare companies appeared on the scene. In Uber’s most recent U.S. Safety Report, they evaluated accident data covering four million trips every day in the U.S. Their research showed that there were 97 fatal crashes between 2017 and 2018 involving Uber drivers. 21% of those crash victims were riders.
If you have been injured in a Lyft or Uber car accident
It is imperative that you speak with an attorney. It can be confusing to determine whom to sue and what insurance company you need to speak with. At Lady Law Group, we walk you through every step of the process to help you get compensation for your injuries.
If you have been injured in a Lyft or Uber car accident
It is imperative that you speak with an attorney. It can be confusing to determine whom to sue and what insurance company you need to speak with. At Lady Law Group, we walk you through every step of the process to help you get compensation for your injuries.
What Should I Do After a Rideshare Vehicle Accident?
There are certain steps to take after being in a Lyft or Uber car accident to protect yourself and prepare for future lawsuits or insurance claims.
Check for Injuries
Assess yourself for injuries. If the driver or any other passenger is injured, it may be tempting to help, but you should only offer assistance if you have proper training.
Safely exit the vehicle and move away from ongoing traffic as best you can.
Call 911
Call for medical personnel to evaluate and treat those involved in the accident. Even if it appears no one is seriously hurt, it is best to have paramedics make that decision and provide a written assessment. If for some reason you cannot get a medical evaluation done at the scene, go to a hospital or doctor’s office to have one done. You may not feel any physical effects immediately following the accident, but sometimes injuries appear much later.
Also ask for law enforcement to investigate the accident. The officer’s report is an important document that can provide evidence as to who is at fault for the collision.
Document the Scene
Use your cell phone to photograph and record as much as you can of the accident site. Take pictures of the road, street signs, traffic signals, weather conditions, the vehicles involved, and any other photos of the surrounding scene. It is better to have too many pictures than not enough. The details that your photos show can be incredibly useful if you file a lawsuit or insurance claim.
Part of documenting the accident includes speaking with other witnesses or those who were in the accident. Write down what they say and get their contact information.
Speak with an Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney
Rideshare car accidents are complex. Depending on who is liable, you may be able to seek compensation from multiple parties, such as the driver and the rideshare company. An experienced Lyft or Uber accident attorney will help you negotiate with insurance companies or file a lawsuit if the insurance settlement amounts are insufficient. When you work with an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer, they will communicate with the insurance company and other parties involved on your behalf, so you do not risk saying anything that could harm your case.
Who Will Compensate Me for My Injuries?
After a rideshare accident, your injuries may result in costly medical bills, expenses for ongoing care, and mental anguish. As an Uber or Lyft car accident passenger, where do you turn for compensation?
Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to car insurance. That means that drivers first turn to their own insurance to pay medical bills after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Passengers can typically seek compensation from their own insurance, if they have it, or from the driver’s insurance.
Both Uber and Lyft require their drivers to maintain car insurance that meets the state’s requirements. Thus, the rideshare driver’s insurance may provide some compensation for your injuries. Uber and Lyft also provide supplemental insurance policies for their drivers. However, under both the Lyft and Uber accident policy, their insurance covers only certain accidents that occur at specific times during the rideshare service.
Both rideshare companies offer $1,000,000 in third-party liability insurance.
This type of insurance is for bodily injury and property damage to a passenger caused by the driver during a “covered accident.” Neither rideshare company provides many details on what qualifies as a “covered accident.” That takes further digging by a rideshare accident attorney.
Also, keep in mind that insurance payouts may not cover all types of damages, particularly non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. To recover, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, under Florida law, you can only go outside of the insurance claims and file a lawsuit if your injuries are serious enough.
To fully understand how Florida’s no-fault laws and your rideshare service’s insurance policies affect your particular claim, it’s best to consult with a Florida rideshare accident attorney.
Contact Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys
As an Uber or Lyft car accident passenger, your settlement amount should fully compensate you for your injuries. The attorneys at Lady Law Group will be with you every step of the way to help make sure that happens. Give us a call, and you will speak directly with one of our experienced rideshare attorneys. Let’s get you on the road to recovery.