With the growing presence of rideshare programs like Uber and Lyft, the odds are increasing that you will be in an accident while using one of these services. Many people have already suffered injuries in such accidents. If you are injured, you will have medical expenses to pay, lost time from work, and could suffer from long-term injuries. When an accident in an Uber happens, you need to make sure to follow certain steps to guarantee proper care and treatment.
What you need to know if you are in an accident in an Uber or Lyft vehicle:
- Read Before You Ride
- Uber and Lyft give their drivers very limited instructions on what to do after an accident beyond calling 911, checking on their passengers, and getting help for those who need it. Before you use one of these services, take the time to peruse their terms of service. Pay attention to the sections about passengers, but be sure you review their instructions to drivers. It’s good to know how the company expects their drivers to behave or react in specific situations. You want to be aware if the driver deviates from the course of action prescribed by the company.
- Companies Want to Protect Passengers
- Both companies value their customers. Uber and Lyft have a vested interest in you staying safe because they want to earn your loyalty and repeat business. Lyft employs a team who has the job of reaching out to passengers when an accident happens to help with insurance information or potential claims. However, the companies have their own best interests in mind in of these situations.
- The key thing to remember is your status as a passenger. Most insurance plans have coverage for passengers; Uber, Lyft, and similar services require additional insurance. When an accident happens, either the driver’s insurance or Uber’s will be liable for covering any expenses regarding treatment for injuries, lost work, and more.
- Get All the Information
- As with any accident, you need to gather as much information as possible so you can provide that information to the authorities, your insurance company, your lawyer (if you retain one), an the drivers’ insurance companies. At a minimum, document the following information:
- Your driver and the other driver’s name, address, and phone number (the app may provide your driver’s data), The same information from any witnesses.
- Personal insurance information from both drivers.
- Any information on Uber or Lyft’s insurance.
- Vehicle information for both cars, including make, model, registration numbers, and license plate numbers.
- Pictures of the accident, including damage to the vehicles.
- Notes regarding injuries.
- As with any accident, you need to gather as much information as possible so you can provide that information to the authorities, your insurance company, your lawyer (if you retain one), an the drivers’ insurance companies. At a minimum, document the following information:
- Filing Your Claims
- Uber and Lyft carry insurance protection up to $1 million per accident, which includes $50,000 per person. The drivers will each carry the state minimum coverage, providing you additional options for covering medical expenses. Depending on the coverage you have with your own insurance, you may be able to file a claim with them as well.
Understanding your rights as a passenger involved in an Uber or Lyft accident can help you stay calm and follow the correct steps afterward. Fortunately, you have several options for making sure you receive proper compensation. If you’re confused, consult with our Oakland personal injury lawyers to help you make the right choice.
Sources:
https://help.uber.com/h/039f5d2f-1361-4d63-98f3-3474e625575b
https://hildasibrian.com/en/what-happens-when-you-are-a-passenger-in-an-uber-accident/
https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/advice_auto_vehicle_accident_checklist_01
https://newsroom.uber.com/insurance-for-uberx-with-ridesharing/