What To Do If You’re Involved in A Rideshare Accident

Thanks to Uber and Lyft, ridesharing has become a staple in many people’s daily commutes. Despite its conveniences, ride-sharing can be risky because every time you book a ride, you put your life in another driver’s hands. As happens with individual vehicle collisions, it is not uncommon to see injury victims in a ridesharing accident as well.

According to U.S. rideshare accident statistics of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), Uber had 97 fatal crashes and 107 deaths in 2017 and 2018 combined. FARS estimates that there are 0.59 Uber fatalities every 100 million miles traveled. These figures do not include accidents at low speeds that cause minor injuries.

Uber does not release accident statistics related to non-fatal crashes. According to an Uber spokesperson, non-fatal crashes are not well-defined or recorded. It is safe to assume there are tens of thousands of incidents, whether drivers are deadheading or carrying passengers.

In this article, we’ll discuss the legal basis for filing ridesharing accident claims. Here is everything you need to know in case of an Uber-Lyft accident.

What to Do After the Rideshare Accident?

Your actions following a ride-share accident make all the difference when pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Protecting yourself from bodily harm should be your top priority. Seek medical attention promptly in severe ride-share accidents, even if you do not feel immediate pain.

Your actions will depend on the situation. Once you are safe and check on the safety of others, contact law enforcement and your lawyer. Here is a checklist of things to do, whether you are a passenger or pedestrian in a ridesharing accident.

Collect Evidence at the Scene

Documentation is critical if you are a passenger in a ride-share accident. Using your Uber app, you can screenshot your ride-share information. This evidence will be shown to insurance companies to help them determine when the accident occurred. While out of the vehicle, take photos and videos of the accident and any damage to the vehicle.

Exchange Primary Information With the Other Driver

Make sure to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Drivers are legally obligated to provide the necessary details in case of an accident. 

Check if there are also other witnesses at the scene. If so, you may get their statements and contact details to add to your evidence collection.

Contact an Attorney 

After completing these steps, provide relevant information about the ridesharing accident, including the driver’s name, license, health insurance card, and automobile declaration page. Don’t forget any insurance information, medical bills, and photographic evidence of the scene.

Avoid speaking alone with the other driver’s insurance company. You can hurt your chances for personal injury compensation if you admit fault. Contact an Uber accident lawyer for proper representation first before speaking with another insurance company.

How to Report the Accident to Uber or Lyft?

Once you’re in a secure location with proper medical treatment, contact the appropriate rideshare company of the driver involved. 

Uber and Lyft allow riders and drivers to report accidents through the app and by phone. Go to Uber’s safety page and complete the third-party incident notice. 

If a Lyft driver hits you, report the accident on the help page. Enter your phone number once the prompt box pops up. A member from their accident reporting teams will call you.

If these outlets do not work, email Uber at support@uber.com and Lyft at support@lyft.com.

What If An Uber or Lyft hits you?

Many of the same steps apply if an Uber or Lyft driver hits you. You must prove liability and damage to win your case. That means showing the driver was at fault for the accident, and you suffered demonstrable injuries.

If you are physically capable, take pictures and videos of the accident scene. Gather identifying information from witnesses, drivers, and people involved in the crash. Follow up with the reporting law enforcement officer and obtain a police report once you return home.

Many people cannot complete this checklist after a ridesharing accident, which isn’t a problem. An Uber accident lawyer from Adamson Ahdoot can leverage resources across California to investigate the facts of the case and determine your compensation.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies

Every Uber and Lyft driver has a commercial or personal auto insurance policy. However, most of these don’t cover accidents when the vehicle is used for commercial purposes. 

But if the driver purchased a separate policy, it could protect the driver and passengers when the ride-share is in progress. 

What is the Value of Insurance Coverage for Uber?

Uber’s insurance coverage has three periods. Period 1 is when the Uber app is on, and you are waiting for a ride request. Liability covers $50,000 per person with bodily damage, $100,000 per incident, and $25,000 of property damage. There is no comprehensive or collision coverage at this stage.

Periods 2 and 3 involve waiting for the Uber driver and sitting inside the car, respectively. Uber offers up $1 million in third-party liability coverage. It provides uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage if they are in an accident and the other driver doesn’t have adequate coverage. Uber also has comprehensive collision insurance with a $1,000 deductible.

How Much is Lyft Insurance Coverage Worth?

The insurance coverage for Lyft is almost identical to Uber. If you are a passenger, policies cover up to  $1 million and up to $100,000 per accident for unaccepted rides. You must rely on your personal auto policy for any car accident that happens while the Lyft app is closed.

What is the Liability Coverage for Uber and Lyft Drivers?

While Uber and Lyft provide liability coverage for their drivers, the amount of insurance depends on how the accident occurred. Here are some of the instances where the policy coverage varies:

• The app is off: If the crash happened outside duty and the app is off, they provide no coverage. The driver is left to rely on his own personal auto insurance.
• The app is on, pending ride request: This applies to when the driver is logged into the app and currently waiting for ride requests before the accident happened. Uber or Lyft only gives liability insurance if the driver’s personal auto insurance is not applicable. The coverage can be up to $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.
• The app is on, picking up riders or during trips: Uber or Lyft automatically covers accidents up to $1 million once the driver accepts the trip or picks up and transports passengers. It also includes limited coverage for car damages incurred and the UMI or uninsured motorists’ coverage.

Determining Liability After an Uber or Lyft Accident

There is no shortage of potential accidents for ride-share drivers. An attorney’s goal is to determine their fault percentage if they get in an accident. 

Here are some of the common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Impaired driving
• Driver fatigue or drowsiness
• Improper vehicle maintenance
• Unsafe lane change
• Aggressive drivers
• Driving too close to other vehicles

Attorneys must prove liability for you to earn compensation. It is another way of saying that Lyft or Uber drivers are legally obligated to exercise reasonable caution. The second step is to show the driver was negligent on duty, which led to the accident. Once you prove negligence, you can connect the Lyft or Uber driver directly to your injuries.

Evidence is essential for proving driver liability. Do not spend time photographing your Uber. Take pictures of the other vehicle, the road, and the weather conditions to build the most robust case.

Some cases are more straightforward than others. If your Uber driver is in a rear-end collision or left-turn accident, these fall under “no doubt liability.” The other driver is at fault in these cases 99% of the time, and insurance companies rarely argue against them.

Uber, Lyft, and insurance companies are more likely to contest a case with unclear evidence. Your lawyer will use witness testimony and police reports to build the strongest case for your prosecution. The ambiguous nature of these cases means you likely will not receive the full $100,000 or $1 million in compensation.

Damages That Can Be Collected in an Uber or Lyft Accident

A Lyft or Uber accident lawyer determines potential fault and compensation in a car accident. These calculations require reviewing tangible losses related to medical bills, hospital bills, and lost wages supported by salary receipts. The lawyer may also consider indefinable losses, such as pain and suffering. 

Below are the primary types of damages: 

Fiscal Damages

Fiscal damages are the most straightforward. They include any quantifiable expenses from the ridesharing accident, like property damage or hospitalization.

Non-economic Damages 

Non-economic Damages are more challenging to quantify. Consequences, such as pain and suffering, do not have price tags but burden you and your loved ones. A Lyft or Uber accident lawyer can estimate these expenses on a sliding scale from one to five, with five being the most severe.

Punitive Damages

If the Lyft or Uber accident had malicious intent or demonstrable negligence, you are entitled to punitive damages. A law firm must conduct an extensive investigation and find hard evidence to press these charges. The high burden of proof makes this type of Lyft and Uber accident challenging to win.

How to Get Compensation for Your Ridesharing Accident?

If you or a loved one is in an Uber or Lyft accident in California, you may be entitled to compensation. An attorney will help you understand your rights and protections under the law. 

Like personal injury cases, you must prove the driver or the party at fault. The responsible person who caused the accident is typically liable for shouldering your medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.

How Can an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer Help You?

An Uber accident lawyer gives you the best shot of winning your case. They have specialized training and education in the legal field and serve as a personal advocate and adviser. An ridesharing accident lawyer also takes care of research, client and witness interviews, and other details related to trial preparation.

An Uber accident attorney protects your rights inside and outside the courtroom. They offer insight into your case’s strengths and weaknesses so ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft do not take advantage of you. Your attorney even works on your behalf to negotiate the settlement, file court forms, and collect your compensation money.

All ride-share cases are not the same. Some cases should go to court, where you can publicly address the driver and ride-share app. Other circumstances demand out-of-court settlement, whether for convenience or monetary reasons.

Why Choose Adamson Ahdoot?

Adamson Ahdoot has a team of highly knowledgeable and trained professionals who can assist you with your legal problem, whether you’ve been involved in a car crash or premises liability case. 

With decades of combined legal experience, Adamson Ahdoot offers the intimacy and attention to detail of a boutique firm with the resources and expertise of a larger one. We put our clients first, so let us help you win the compensation you deserve. 

Our Adamson Ahdoot rideshare accident lawyers are here to help you navigate the complexities of the legal system. We have the knowledge and firsthand experience to ensure you receive what you deserve.

Call us at (800) 310-1606 for a free consultation. We offer these consultations in English or Spanish.