Unfortunately, car accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Even if you’re not the driver of the vehicle, you can still be a victim of a car crash. If you’re in an accident that involves an Uber or Lyft, it’s important to know your rights and what steps to take.
New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights for drivers due to drunk driving. The National Safety Council estimates that 375 people may die during the 2024 New Year’s period. That’s why it’s important to take precautions to stay safe during the holiday season.
Read more: Drunk Driving Accidents Statistics: New Year’s Eve 2024
Since Uber and Lyft are commercial vehicles, there are more parties involved, making the process more difficult. Equip yourself with your legal rights so you can hold the responsible party accountable and seek the financial compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do After a Rideshare Accident?
It can be overwhelming to navigate what to do after you’ve been in a car accident. Oftentimes, you say things that can make it seem as if you’re at fault, like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t mean to hit you.” Since a rideshare accident involves a company, there are additional steps you’ll need to take after being a victim in an accident.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, get checked out by a healthcare professional to identify any bodily injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
- Call 911: Contact emergency services and first responders to report the accident and request medical treatment and assistance if necessary; an official police report can be valuable for your claim.
- Get All Parties’ Information: Collect names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle details of everyone involved, including the rideshare driver and any witnesses.
- Gather Evidence: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, injuries, and anything else that may help establish fault.
- Report to Uber or Lyft: Use the rideshare app to officially report the accident and document the incident with the company.
- Call an Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney: Contact a car accident attorney experienced in rideshare accidents to protect your rights and help you pursue compensation.
How to Report an Uber or Lyft Accident
Three parties could possibly be involved in rideshare accidents:
- Driver: The rideshare driver can be at fault if they acted negligently, such as by speeding, driving distracted, or violating traffic laws while transporting passengers.
- Passenger: Rideshare passengers are typically not at fault, but they can receive a personal injury by the driver’s or another party’s negligence and may be entitled to compensation.
- Third-party: Other drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists involved in the accident may share responsibility if their actions contributed to the crash.
Here are the links to report Uber and Lyft accidents:
Report an Uber Accident
- Report an accident as an Uber driver
- Report an accident as an Uber passenger
- Report an accident as a third-party
Report a Lyft Accident
Here is the link to report a Lyft accident.
It’s important to hire a Kansas City Uber and Lyft accident lawyer to help you navigate this complicated process. They can help you file a car accident claim, negotiate with the insurance company for liability coverage, and more.
Special Considerations for Uber and Lyft Drivers
Uber and Lyft have similar policies when it comes to liability coverage for their drivers. There are different scenarios that you can be involved in that can change the circumstances of your claim or lawsuit:
- App is off: When the rideshare app is turned off, neither Uber nor Lyft provide coverage. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies.
- App is on, waiting for a request: If the driver is logged into the app and available to accept ride requests, Uber and Lyft offer liability coverage for qualifying accidents when the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t apply. This provides coverage up to $50,000 for each injured person, $100,000 total per accident for bodily injuries, and $25,000 for property damage.
- App is on, picking up riders or during trips: After the driver accepts a ride and is en route to pick up or transport passengers, both companies provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for covered accidents. This also includes limited coverage for vehicle damage and uninsured motorist coverage (UMI), though UMI limits vary by state.
Call a Rideshare Attorney if You’ve Been in An Accident
While all car accidents are challenging to handle, ones involving Uber or Lyft can be even more complicated because of all the parties involved. Whether you’re a driver, rider, or third-party motorist, call an Uber and Lyft accident attorney in Kansas City for representation.
The personal injury lawyers at DM Injury Law have extensive experience in handling these complicated cases. We will help you seek the financial compensation that you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We are a contingency-fee-based law firm, which means you don’t have to pay us unless we win.