How to Recover Compensation for Injuries From An Uber or Lyft Accident
Ridesharing has become a staple mode of transportation for many, since people can easily book a ride to get around the city in just a few clicks. But as these ridesharing services have gained popularity among commuters over the years, so have cases of ridesharing accidents. If this happens, how would one obtain compensation for injuries following an Uber or Lyft crash?
If you’ve been involved in a ridesharing accident and want to know how you can hold the person responsible for your injuries accountable, this guide can show you. Read on to find out how you can recover compensation for your injuries from an Uber or Lyft accident.
Common Injuries Sustained From a Lyft or Uber Accident
Some people think that because they’re riding an Uber or Lyft, they’re spared from injury since they’re not driving and their drivers are professionals. No one is exempt from car accidents, however.
Below are some of the common injuries you can sustain from a rideshare road mishap:
- Whiplash: A sudden cracking of the neck due to forceful movement
- Fractures: Broken bones in the shoulder, hip, knees, or elbows
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Severe damage to the head due to an impactful blow or jolt
- Spinal Cord Damage: Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck and head
- Paralysis: Numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet, or toes
Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident
Depending on your situation, you must immediately ask for help from law enforcers. Here are the steps you need to take if you’re an injured passenger in a rideshare accident:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your top priority is to protect yourself from harm. If you’re still conscious but injured, you must find a way to call 911 and seek medical help immediately. Make sure to check if your driver is also injured, so you can provide an accurate picture of your situation to first responders.
Take Photos and Gather Witness Statements at the Scene
Once you’ve made sure you’re safe, collect evidence at the scene. You can do so by taking photos and gathering witness statements of people in the area during the time of the accident. These will be used to build your personal injury claim.
Exchange Primary Information With Your Driver
Don’t forget to ask your driver for his contact and insurance information. If you’re a passenger of an Uber or Lyft, you are legally entitled to get the personal details of your driver. Your ridesharing accident lawyer will need this relevant information to support your case.
How to File for Personal Injury Compensation
Victims are entitled to compensation for medical bills and other expenses, such as lost wages. It is important to contact the driver and get their insurance information to file a claim on behalf for your injuries. If the driver’s policy denies the claim, you may be able to request compensation through Uber or Lyft directly.
Below are the following guidelines to qualify for the Uber or Lyft protection policy:
- The app must be on, and the crash should’ve happened while the rideshare driver is on duty.
- The driver has already picked you up after agreeing to the trip. Your car must be moving en route to your destination. Otherwise, a stopped vehicle is not protected by the policy.
- The protection ends upon reaching your booked destination, and the driver has turned off the app, even if you remain inside the vehicle.
Types of Compensation for Uber or Lyft Accident Victims
Uber or Lyft requires all drivers to have personal auto insurance, depending on the state-mandated minimum. Therefore, everyone inside the vehicle is automatically covered if the accident happens while the driver is on duty.
The insurance policy covers up to $1 million for injuries and property damage once the driver picks up or transports passengers.
The amount of compensation you will receive for injuries caused in the Uber or Lyft accident will depend on the following factors:
- The severity of your injuries
- The amount of time you missed from work during recovery
- The pain and suffering you got from the accident
- When you lost a loved one in the crash
Here are the types of compensation you’re entitled to get:
Medical Bills
Medical expenses are the most common reason people file for a personal injury claim. Depending on your injury’s severity, your compensation will cover the costs for prescriptions and medical treatments.
Lost Wages
Some injuries can cause temporary or permanent disability, which may hinder your ability to work. In such cases, you can be compensated for any lost wages or benefits during your recovery period.
Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages refer to the ongoing pain and suffering or emotional trauma a person incurs after an accident. These are intangible losses much worse than physical injuries. Even after recovery, you may still experience the lingering effects that the accident may have caused you, including loss of enjoyment, depression, and emotional distress.
Wrongful Death
If you’ve lost a loved one in a rideshare accident, you can receive financial support for funeral costs and burial expenses. Wrongful death compensation covers the economic and non-economic losses for the bereaved family.
What Happens if Your Uber or Lyft Driver Was Not At Fault?
If you were hit by another vehicle while ridesharing, you can still file for a personal injury claim against the other driver responsible for the injuries sustained from the accident. The best way to get the compensation you deserve is to hire a Lyft or Uber accident lawyer.
Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer at Adamson Ahdoot
Have you gotten into an accident while riding an Uber or Lyft? Let our experienced lawyers at Adamson Ahdoot help you navigate the aftermath of this stressful situation.
Our team is here to help you get the financial support you’re entitled to. Call us at (800) 310-1606 for a free consultation with a premier personal injury attorney who is fully knowledgeable in dealing with ridesharing accidents.
Client-First Approach
Above all else, our clients come first. We go above and beyond to obtain the highest level of compensation possible.
Meet Our AttorneysMulti-Focus Law Firm
Adamson Ahdoot has successfully executed a plethora of personal injury cases.
Cases We HandleGet in touch with our firm
Our team can better advise you on your legal options once we receive any available evidence about the incident.
Take Action Now