In any kind of accident, there are specific rights that injured individuals have depending on who is considered negligent. However, when you consider Uber and Lyft are multi-billion dollar companies, any accident involving vehicles working for these companies can be even more confusing for passengers who are injured.
You may be unsure of what steps to take or whether to trust the driver to do their part to report the accident. However, in order for you to protect your rights in an Uber or Lyft accident, you should be sure that you’re taking some of the same steps that you would in any car accident, as well as some additional precautions.
Make Sure the Driver Reports the Accident
If the driver is active in driver mode, they must report the accident to their respective rideshare company through the mobile application. Once this is done, the claims process is started through Uber or Lyft’s insurance company.
However, there are times when drivers fear that reporting an accident would impact their ability to continue driving for the rideshare company. This may prompt them to go through the process of offering an under the table payment or off-the-clock settlement offer and they won’t report the accident.
To protect yourself, ensure that you take photographs of the driver’s license, the license plate, property damage that occurred, and personal insurance policy of the driver. Should the driver refuse to share this information with you, remain calm and politely remind them that the law requires an exchange of information.
Taking Additional Steps
You should remember the steps to take after any accident that can help your claim. Never assume that the rideshare driver will do what’s required of them, especially when your rights and compensation are at stake. Instead, make sure you do the following:
- Speak with witnesses who can help aid in the truth if the accident is not reported by the driver.
- If you suffered an injury, get to the hospital to start receiving treatment.
- Get in contact with a legal professional who can help you report the accident in the necessary manner.
Do I Still Need a Lawyer?
Because the driver may fail to report the accident, you want to have someone who understands the various policies offered by rideshare insurance companies. This includes recognizing situations when the rideshare driver is not at fault and the other driver is uninsured or when you need to report the accident in your ride history on your app.
The insurance adjuster for rideshare insurance providers is just like any other adjuster. Their goal remains the same: minimizing payouts. They want to find any way to pay you as little as possible for the settlement. To best protect your interests and your pursuit for compensation, it is best to speak with a legal advocate who has experience in handling accident cases involving Uber and Lyft.
At Effres & Effres, we know what’s available for passengers who suffer injuries in Uber or Lyft accidents. We know the insurance companies in California who provide this coverage and we know their tactics to prevent injured parties from getting the compensation they rightfully deserve.
When you suffer an injury as a passenger in any rideshare vehicle, you have rights and you need someone to help you protect them. Be sure to take all of the same steps, including exchanging information, taking photos, receiving medical treatment if you suffer an injury, and speaking with someone who can protect your rights.
Our rideshare accident attorneys are here to protect you and your pursuit of justice after an Uber or Lyft accident. We’ll utilize the information you collect and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.
Call our firm today at (818) 222-9720 and speak with one of our team members about your potential legal options moving forward.