With the growing prevalence of rideshare services, studies have shown that accidents have risen slightly, including fatal car accidents. While there is little data to go off of, Uber released information stating that between 2017 and 2018, 107 fatalities happened in an Uber car accident combined.
Unique accident situations call for a rideshare accident lawyer. However, there are not necessarily separate services for a Lyft accident lawyer or an Uber accident lawyer. If you are in a rideshare car accident, you’ll need to talk to a rideshare accident lawyer regardless of the service involved.
Because the insurance amounts change rapidly when using a rideshare service, understanding the correct compensation you are owed can be a complicated affair. Hence the importance of hiring a rideshare accident lawyer.
Let’s dive deeper into these intricacies so that you have somewhat of a grasp on compensation before contacting a lawyer to assist you.
Do I Need to Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
The insurance coverage for each rideshare company varies widely regarding passengers and when each level of coverage kicks in. Unless you are highly prepared and well-versed in insurance law in your area, you are much better off hiring an attorney if you are in a rideshare passenger accident.
This is because many injuries may be disputed by not only the driver’s insurance company but also the rideshare service’s insurance company.
Associated Physical Injury and Repercussions
Some common injuries that occur during a rideshare passenger accident may be eligible for compensation. A few of those a noted below.
- Spinal or other orthopedic injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of mobility
- Lost Work Time
- Any further injury or fatality
What Evidence Should You Gather?
As with any other automobile accident, there are some pieces of information and documentation you’ll need to either gather or have someone else gather for you. If you are not physically capable of doing so, asking for a copy of a police report should be sufficient. These pieces of information include the following.
- Driver Identification
- Other Driver’s Identification
- Exact Address of Accident
- Address of Pick-up
- Address of Destination
- Direction of Travel
- Nature of the Accident
- Any Immediate Injuries to Yourself
- Injuries to Others
- Make and Model of Vehicle
- License Plate Number of Vehicle
- Make and Model of Other Vehicle
- License Plate Number of Other Vehicle
- Direction of Travel
- Time of Day
- Driver’s Outward Demeanor
- Other Driver’s Outward Demeanor
- Other Unusual Circumstances
Was Your Driver Negligent?
If you believe that the driver of your rideshare vehicle was acting in a negligent way, you have possible grounds to file a claim against the company itself along with the driver. Rideshare drivers are supposed to be vetted by their criminal record and insurance policy to ensure the safety of their passengers. If it is found that this was not done properly, you may have a claim.
Was the Other Driver Negligent?
If the other driver is found to be negligent resulting in the rideshare passenger accident, you are still eligible for a claim if you are injured and do not receive proper compensation from their insurance company.
Just like with any car accident injury claim, a personal injury lawyer is trained to help you get your expenses covered properly. If the other driver caused the accident, the other driver’s insurance company (if they have one) is responsible for paying all related bills that result from the accident.
What to Do Immediately After an Accident
The steps that you should take immediately following a rideshare car accident are nearly identical to what you should do immediately after any other car accident. You’ll first need to survey your own injuries if possible and the injuries of anyone else in the car. Once you’ve covered that base, here’s what to do.
If You or Anyone Involved Suffers an Injury, Call 911
All things being equal, the single most important thing that you can do immediately following any kind of car accident is to try to understand the seriousness of injuries to you and the people around you.
Once you’ve done this (if you are capable), call 911 if you think that anyone is in need of emergency medical action. Unless you identify an immediate medical emergency that involves the possible loss of life, do not attempt to do anything for which you are not trained and certified to do.
Collection of Information
If you are able to confirm that everyone is in a non-life-threatening state, you should either sit tight or await the arrival of law enforcement and/or emergency medical services. Trying to obtain anyone’s information directly after an accident can be an incredibly agitating factor and you should not try to insert yourself into the situation unless it is absolutely vital.
Oftentimes, the information that you will need to file a claim against one driver or another or their respective rideshare services can be obtained by your rideshare car accident attorney after the fact.
Contact Loved Ones
Once the whole ordeal has been officially handed over to the authorities, it’s time to let your family and loved ones know what happened. This could include where you are or what medical facility to which you are being transported.
Contact a Trusted Personal Injury Lawyer
Once the situation is clear and you have had a moment to get your bearings, it is paramount that you contact a trusted rideshare accident lawyer. They can help you navigate the murky waters and complications of receiving the compensation that you deserve. It might be at the driver’s expense, the other driver’s expense, or the rideshare service’s expense.
Regardless, the important person in this situation is the one who was injured. That person is you. If you’ve been the victim of a rideshare passenger accident, the attorneys at Titan Law Firm are ready to help. Contact us today to get a free consultation and take the next step forward in your recovery.
