A car crash turns your day upside down instantly, and figuring out the next steps feels even more confusing when that crash involves a rideshare service. Taking the proper steps after an accident with Uber or Lyft—and speaking with a car accident lawyer protects your rights and helps you pursue the compensation you deserve.
4 Steps To Take After a Rideshare Accident
Navigating the aftermath of a rideshare accident involves specific actions regarding reporting and insurance. If you’ve already sought medical attention and you’re wondering what to do after an Uber or Lyft accident, take these five steps to protect your claim.
1. Documenting Everything
Proper documentation is fundamental after any vehicle collision, especially one involving an Uber or Lyft. You need proof of what happened and its impact on you, so collect and preserve information carefully from the start.
Gather details from everyone involved, including all drivers’ names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance policy details. If you can locate any witnesses, ask them what they saw. Their accounts may offer an unbiased view of how the Uber or Lyft accident occurred.
If possible and safe, take pictures or videos of the accident scene, including damage to your vehicle and skid marks. If you were a rideshare passenger, take a screenshot of your ride details using the Uber or Lyft app.
2. Keep Track of Your Expenses and Losses
Start a file for all accident-related paperwork, including medical bills, receipts for prescriptions, and documentation for any other costs incurred due to the crash. Keep records of lost wages if the accident prevented you from working.
Maintain a journal about your injuries and recovery process, noting your pain levels, limitations on daily activities, and doctor’s appointments.
3. Reporting the Uber or Lyft Accident
You must report the rideshare accident to the right parties. Timely reporting is necessary for insurance claims and legal purposes.
- The Rideshare Company: Report the accident directly to Uber or Lyft as soon as possible. Both companies have procedures for reporting incidents through their apps or websites. Providing details directly to them initiates their internal investigation and insurance process.
- Filing a Police Report: If they didn’t come to the scene, contact the police to file an official accident report. A police report creates an official record of the incident and includes details like the involved parties, witness statements, and often the officer’s initial assessment of fault.
- Your Insurance Company: Notify your own auto insurance company about the accident, even if you were a passenger or believe you weren’t at fault. Your policy might provide coverage depending on the circumstances, such as MedPay or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. Be honest and provide the facts, but avoid speculation or admitting fault. You can also have your lawyer handle communications with your insurance.
4. Call a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Contacting a lawyer soon after your accident with Uber or Lyft provides immediate advantages. Rideshare cases involve complicated insurance rules that change based on the driver’s app status.
Getting legal advice early helps you avoid costly mistakes. Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly, and saying the wrong thing might hurt your claim, but a rideshare accident lawyer guides your communication and protects your rights from the start.
Your lawyer also acts fast to preserve critical evidence and ensures you meet crucial deadlines, like the statute of limitations, for filing claims or lawsuits.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Policies
Insurance coverage for an accident with Uber or Lyft depends heavily on the driver’s status at the time of the crash.
The Driver Is Offline
If the Uber or Lyft driver’s app is off, they’re considered off-duty. In this situation, the rideshare company’s insurance generally doesn’t apply. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy is the primary source of coverage for any accident they cause.
However, many personal auto policies exclude coverage if the driver is using their vehicle for commercial purposes like ridesharing, creating a potential gap in coverage.
The App Is On and the Driver Is Waiting for a Request
When the driver has the app on and is available to accept ride requests but hasn’t accepted one yet, a lower level of contingent liability coverage from Uber or Lyft may apply. This coverage typically activates only if the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim or has insufficient limits.
The Driver Is En Route or Transporting a Passenger
Once the driver accepts a ride request and is driving to pick up the passenger, or while the passenger is in the vehicle, the highest level of rideshare insurance coverage applies.
Uber and Lyft maintain substantial liability insurance policies, often $1 million or more, covering accidents during this active period. This policy also typically includes contingent collision/comprehensive and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage.
Dealing With Insurance Adjusters After an Accident
After reporting the Uber or Lyft accident, insurance adjusters representing various parties (your insurer, the other driver’s insurer, Uber/Lyft’s insurer) will likely contact you. Be cautious in your communications. Their goal is often to minimize the payout.
What To Say (and Not Say)
Provide factual information about the accident when speaking with adjusters. Give your name, contact details, and the date/location of the crash. You may describe the basic circumstances, but avoid detailed discussion about fault or the extent of your injuries early on.
Don’t agree to give a recorded statement without consulting a rideshare accident attorney. Don’t speculate about who caused the accident or minimize your injuries. Avoid signing any documents or releases without legal advice, as this might waive your rights.
Understanding Settlement Offers
Insurance companies sometimes make quick, low settlement offers shortly after an accident, hoping you’ll accept before understanding the full extent of your injuries and losses. Resist the urge to accept an early offer.
Your injuries may take time to fully manifest, and future medical treatment or lost income might be necessary. Consult with a lawyer before accepting any settlement. They evaluate whether the offer fairly compensates you for all current and future damages related to the accident with Uber or Lyft.
How a Lawyer Helps After an Accident With Uber or Lyft
Navigating the aftermath of an accident with Uber or Lyft presents unique challenges due to the complex insurance layers. A rideshare crash lawyer provides invaluable assistance. They protect your rights and work to secure the maximum compensation possible.
Investigating the Rideshare Accident Details
Your attorney thoroughly investigates the crash by gathering police reports, interviewing witnesses, collecting photographic and video evidence, and reconstructing the accident sequence if needed. They determine exactly how the accident happened and who was responsible.
They verify the Uber or Lyft driver’s status (online, offline, en route, on trip) at the moment of impact, which is vital for insurance purposes.
Identifying All Liable Parties
More than one party might be responsible for your injuries. Besides the driver(s) involved, potentially liable parties might include the rideshare company itself, vehicle manufacturers, or government entities responsible for road maintenance.
Your lawyer identifies all potential sources of compensation. Pursuing claims against all liable parties increases your chances of a full recovery.
Navigating Complex Insurance Issues
Rideshare insurance is complicated, but attorneys know the different coverage periods and how personal auto policies interact with Uber and Lyft’s commercial insurance.
They handle communications with all involved insurance companies, preventing adjusters from taking advantage of you or unfairly denying coverage. They know what information to present and how to counter arguments used to minimize your claim after an accident with Uber or Lyft.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Damages
Determining the true cost of an accident goes beyond immediate medical bills. Your lawyer calculates all your damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Handling All Communications and Negotiations
Dealing with insurance adjusters is stressful and time-consuming. Your lawyer takes over all communication and negotiation on your behalf.
They present your case, handle demands and offers, and shield you from pressure tactics, allowing you to focus on your recovery after the Uber or Lyft accident.
Filing a Lawsuit if a Fair Settlement Isn’t Reached
While most cases settle out of court, sometimes insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. If negotiations fail, your attorney can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
They handle all legal procedures, present evidence, and argue your case before a judge to fight for the outcome you deserve following an accident with Uber or Lyft.
FAQ for What To Do After an Accident with Uber or Lyft?
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek After an Accident With Uber or Lyft?
If you’re injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle due to someone else’s negligence, you may seek compensation for various losses, often called damages. The goal is to recover costs related to the accident and its impact on your life.
Common types of damages include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, doctor appointments, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical care needed because of the accident.
- Lost Wages: You may recover income lost if your injuries prevented you from working during your recovery period.
- Future Earning Capacity: You may seek compensation if your injuries prevent you from working or earning the same amount of income in the future.
- Property Damage: Compensation may cover repairs to or replacement of your vehicle or other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates for the physical pain, emotional distress (if accompanied by a physical injury), and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the injuries sustained in the rideshare accident.
A rideshare accident attorney helps identify and calculate all potential damages applicable to your specific case.
Who Is Responsible for Paying Damages After an Uber or Lyft Crash?
Responsibility depends on who caused the accident and the driver’s status. If the Uber/Lyft driver caused the crash while actively working (en route or with a passenger), the rideshare company’s large commercial policy ($1 million+) is typically primary.
If the Uber/Lyft driver was at fault while waiting for a ride request, their personal insurance is primary, with Uber/Lyft’s contingent coverage possibly applying if the personal policy denies or is insufficient.
If the driver was offline, only their personal insurance would apply. If another driver was at fault, their insurance is primary.
How Does Uber’s or Lyft’s Insurance Work Differently From Personal Auto Insurance?
Personal auto insurance usually covers typical driving, but often excludes commercial activities like ridesharing. Uber and Lyft provide commercial insurance that applies specifically when their drivers are working.
Uber and Lyft insurance coverage for accidents varies depending on the driver’s app status: minimal when offline, contingent liability while waiting for a ride, and significant coverage when a passenger is in the vehicle or the driver is en route.
This tiered system is the main difference from a standard personal policy.
What Information Do I Need To Provide When Reporting the Accident to Uber or Lyft?
Provide specific details when reporting the accident through the Uber or Lyft app or website. Include the date, time, and location of the crash. If you were a passenger, provide your trip details (driver’s name, vehicle).
Mention if police were called and if there were injuries or vehicle damage. Providing accurate information helps them start their investigation and insurance claim process related to the accident involving their driver.
What Should I Do if the Insurance Company Offers a Quick Settlement After My Rideshare Accident?
Be very cautious about quick settlement offers. Insurance adjusters may offer a fast payout, hoping you’ll accept before realizing the full extent of your injuries or future costs. Don’t accept or sign anything immediately.
Consult with a personal injury lawyer experienced in rideshare accidents first. They can help assess the true value of your claim and determine if the offer is fair compensation for all your damages from the Uber or Lyft accident.
Accepting too early might prevent you from seeking further compensation later.
Secure Your Rideshare Accident Compensation
The moments after a rideshare crash are chaotic, but the confusion shouldn’t stop you from protecting your future. Understanding the unique insurance rules and taking the right steps after an accident with Uber or Lyft is the first move toward recovery.
You don’t have to untangle this complex web alone. Let the Law Offices of Mickey Fine and our experienced personal injury attorney handle the insurance companies and legal hurdles. We fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact us today at (661) 333-3333 to discuss your Uber or Lyft accident case.