Injured by Uber or Lyft? What can I do now?

Many people have come to our law firm with questions after being injured by Uber or Lyft drivers. When you’ve been injured in a rideshare vehicle, the claims process is more complicated than a typical car crash claim.

In this post, we’ll provide some general information about what to do if you were in a crash with an Uber or Lyft driver. However, we highly recommend that you call our rideshare injury lawyers for specific help. It’s always free to speak with our lawyers for an initial consultation.

When is the Uber or Lyft Driver at Fault?

Suppose you are in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft driver. Understandably, you may want to know who will pay for your injuries. It entirely depends upon who was at fault in the collision.

Here are a couple of possibilities:

If the Uber, Lyft, or taxi driver caused the collision, they are at fault. They could be responsible to pay for your injuries if you were a passenger, in another vehicle, on a bike, or a pedestrian.
If another vehicle caused the collision while you were in the Uber or Lyft vehicle, the other driver is at fault.

It’s important to know who’s at fault because that’s the party you will ultimately pursue for compensation.

Will the Uber or Lyft Driver’s Insurance Pay for My Injuries?

If you’ve been injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, the good news is that there are insurance policies in place to cover your medical costs.

Depending on the circumstances, different insurance policies may come into play. Let’s consider some of them.

Uber/Lyft Insurance Policy

Uber and Lyft drivers maintain insurance coverage up to $1,000,000. If they caused the collision while on duty, you will be covered under this policy.

The Driver’s Personal Insurance Policy

Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors. When they are not on duty, they are not acting on behalf of Uber of Lyft. If a driver causes a collision while not on duty, their personal insurance policy applies.

Another Driver’s Insurance Policy

If the crash was the fault of another driver (even partially), their insurance policy may come into play.

Your Insurance Policy

Finally, your own insurance policy may step in and cover your damages and injuries.

One thing many people may not realize is that sometimes a victim can file claims against more than one policy. A qualified personal injury attorney can determine which policies apply to your situation to ensure you receive maximum compensation.

What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Car Accident with an Uber or Lyft Driver?

Many of the things you should do after a crash in an Uber or Lyft vehicle are the things you should do after a crash in any vehicle.

Here’s what we recommend:

Collect information. Make sure to get as much information about the other driver as you can. (Full name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information.)
Get witnesses’ contact information. Take down witnesses’ names, addresses, and whenever possible, license plate numbers.
Gather police information. Write down the name, badge number, and precinct number of the investigating officer. Request the case control or accident report number.
Write a detailed account of what happened. Our memories aren’t as reliable as we think! Summarize the accident, including fault. List all contributing factors that come to mind. Note the weather, exact location, time of day, etc.
Take photos. Take photos of the scenes, the vehicles, skid marks, and debris in the road.
Report the incident. Both Uber and Lyft want to hear from you in the event of a crash. Visit Uber’s website to report an Uber crash and visit Lyft’s website to report a Lyft crash.

Does it Make Sense to Involve an Attorney?

Call us anytime you were injured in a car crash where you believe the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault. These claims are often more complicated than traditional car crash claims. Also, you should know that rideshare companies will have legal representation. You should, too.

Just because Uber and Lyft drivers carry insurance does not mean that their policy will pay you fairly for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering. An experienced rideshare accident attorney can work to negotiate fair compensation on your behalf.

It’s OK to reach out to us at any point in the process, but the sooner the better. In fact, if you call us before reporting the incident to Uber or Lyft, we can make sure your legal rights are protected from the start. As we mentioned earlier, there’s no cost for an initial consultation. In fact, we only charge a fee if we win you a settlement. Reach out to us today.