The use of ride-hailing apps like Lyft and Uber has surged in popularity in recent years. Users appreciate how they can simply click on an app on their phone to summon a quick, convenient ride — especially in areas where cab services are scarce.
Yet, accidents can be unpredictable, and you can easily get injured in a wreck when you’re a passenger in one of these vehicles. If the other vehicle’s driver is responsible for the accident, you can reasonably expect to hold them accountable for any accident-related bills that you incur.
But what if the driver of your car caused the wreck? Here are some important steps to take:
Find out what insurance your driver carries
Almost every Uber or Lyft driver that you encounter will likely have car insurance. There’s also a strong likelihood that your driver will also have specific insurance that covers drivers who operate ride-hailing services. If all else fails, the driver’s carrier, such as Lyft or Uber, will likely have their insurance coverage that you can tap into. You should be able to file your claim with one of these.
Make certain the police are notified
You’ll want to ensure that the driver transporting you doesn’t leave the scene of the crash without first reporting it to the police. While most jurisdictions’ laws require motorists to report accidents, that report is critical to your case if you have to pursue an injury claim. This document will list the drivers’ names and insurance information, and accident details to help an insurance company assess liability. You will need this documented to recover compensation in your case.
Get immediate medical assistance
If you’re clearly injured, you obviously need immediate medical attention, so call an ambulance. However, even if you think you are relatively unharmed, you should still seek a medical evaluation. Sometimes, the stress and shock of an accident can cause people to initially overlook their injuries.
Determining liability for a wreck, even with an accident report in hand, isn’t easy. Insurance companies will fight to keep their expenditures to a minimum if they accept liability in a case. An attorney can help protect your interests and get the compensation you deserve.
