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You may have many questions when you are involved in a car wreck, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about Lyft and Uber accident cases in the US.
August 30, 2022
The first thing to do after a rideshare accident is to report the incident to law enforcement. Most states require that all motor vehicle accidents be reported, regardless of damage amount.
If you were a Lyft or Uber passenger, be sure to get a copy of the police report before leaving the scene of the accident. Documentation such as the police report, pictures of the accident scene, and your medical records can play an important part in your accident claim.
For this reason, you may also want to seek medical attention, even if you feel you aren’t hurt. Many injuries don’t show up for hours or days after an accident, since your body is in shock. You may also have hidden injuries, which can be dangerous. If you are too shaken after the accident, consider seeking medical treatment as soon as you are ready.
After you are cleared by police officers to leave the scene, contact an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer to help you begin your case. Your lawyer can get right to work building your case. They may request a copy of your Lyft or Uber driver’s background check and the rideshare company’s insurance information, for example. Even if you are unsure whether you want to file a claim, contacting a lawyer is a good place to start so you’re aware of your legal rights.
Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage in the case of car accidents, while you are in transport of a passenger. However, this coverage has many limitations. In most cases, Lyft and Uber insurance coverage only kicks in if your own personal auto insurance has already been applied and does not cover the full amount of damages.
For both Uber and Lyft, their insurance policy offers liability coverage for injured persons hurt during rideshare accidents. This means if you were hurt during an Uber or Lyft ride, you may be able to file a claim to seek compensation for your injuries.
If you were a rideshare driver and got into an accident, you may be able to file a claim to seek compensation for injuries and property damage, but only if your own insurance does not apply. An experienced Uber or Lyft accident attorney can further break down these complex details for you.
All ridesharing service drivers are required to carry personal auto insurance with liability insurance coverage. Uber and Lyft may have different requirements for the amount and terms of this coverage.If your Lyft or Uber driver is an independent contractor and they let their insurance coverage lapse, you may still have options after a rideshare accident.
This is why Uber and Lyft companies carry their own insurance in addition to requiring drivers to carry personal auto insurance policies. When a driver lapses on their coverage or doesn’t carry the right kind of insurance, Uber or Lyft may be held liable in the event of any accident.
Most personal injury claims for rideshare car accidents are filed against the driver’s insurance policy. The rideshare company’s insurance usually only applies if the driver’s insurance fails to cover damages from the accident.
Understanding the way insurance coverage works during Uber and Lyft accidents can be tricky, but a lawyer can uncomplicate the process for you. If you need to file an injury claim, consider working with a competent and knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer.
The party who may be held liable for your injuries after a rideshare accident could depend on a few factors. Uber and Lyft policies generally state that drivers are independent contractors. People who work as independent contractors essentially run their own business.
This means they may be held liable for any incident in which they are involved. However, drivers for Uber and Lyft do have access to the company insurance coverage if their own coverage is denied or otherwise does not apply. Liability is a challenging concept, but an experienced attorney can help you identify liable parties for the best chance at pursuing compensation.
Collision coverage will cover property damage to your vehicle during a car accident. All rideshare drivers are required to carry both comprehensive and collision coverage while acting as drivers for Uber or Lyft. In fact, coverage for car accidents typically only kicks in if the Lyft or Uber driver has up-to-date coverage at the time of the accident.
This is why many Uber and Lyft drivers choose rideshare insurance, since it often includes collision coverage. Comprehensive or full coverage insurance usually covers injuries and property damages to other accident victims only.
If you were the driver in a rideshare accident and are having trouble accessing coverage for property damage to your vehicle, a lawyer may be able to help.
Rideshare accidents can present complex legal situations for personal injury claims. You may not know who can be held liable for your injuries after a Lyft or Uber accident, but LegalFinders can help. Through our extensive network of Uber and Lyft accident lawyers, you can find the best lawyer to help you file a personal injury claim for compensation. Let us connect you with a law firm today. Contact us now for more information.
When you call for an Uber or Lyft, you enter your rideshare vehicle expecting to be kept safe during transport. However, some people become injured during their Uber or Lyft rides. Because ridesharing services are a fairly new form of transportation (officially entering the scene in San Francisco in 2009), laws governing rideshare companies are also new.
This has brought about uncertainty in cases of car accidents involving rideshare vehicles. One unclear area was determining whether the Uber or Lyft driver should have to pay for accident-related expenses, or whether that should fall on rideshare companies. Both Uber and Lyft rely on independent contractors who carry their own insurance coverage. Since rideshare drivers carry their own liability coverage, the rideshare company is typically absolved from liability for any accident victims.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you may be confused about what happens next. Who is responsible in the event of an accident, the Uber or Lyft driver, or the rideshare company? And if you need to file a claim for compensation, do you file a claim with your own insurance company, Lyft or Uber’s insurance company, or will you have to file a lawsuit against the Lyft or Uber driver?
An experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer can answer all these questions and more. LegalFinders can put you in touch with the most highly rated rideshare accident attorneys in your area. Once you’ve found your lawyer, you’ll receive a free case evaluation.
During this consultation, the lawyer will examine details related to the accident, such as photos of the accident scene, your medical care costs, and evidence of any property damage. This information will allow them to inform you how much you can claim in terms of damages.
You do not have to file a claim, but if you do, your rideshare accident lawyer will work hard to build a strong case. This may include tasks such as making sure the driver was logged into their Lyft or Uber app at the time of the accident, which can affect your case, or ensuring they had liability insurance.
It could also include contacting the rideshare company’s or the Uber or Lyft driver’s insurance companies, reviewing their insurance policy, and explaining the laws which apply to your case. In short, having an attorney alongside you can make for an easier, more effective claims process ending with the result you want — a fair settlement offer.
If you suffered bodily injury after an Uber or Lyft vehicle accident, you don’t have to be left to cover all the medical expenses. Reach out to LegalFinders now to secure an experienced car accident lawyer and get started on your case.
Statistics for rideshare motor vehicle accidents are hard to find, since these numbers are not separated from the numbers logged for other types of car accidents in the U.S. Still, there were more than 38,000 fatalities caused by car accidents in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This increase occurred despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the dramatic decrease in driving.
Further, some researchers suggest that ridesharing services may be contributing to the overall increase in motor vehicle accidents in recent years. Three economists from the University of Chicago — Illinois noted a 2 to 3% increase in car crashes leading to fatalities for car occupants and pedestrians.
The researchers attributed this increase to the influx of Lyft and Uber vehicles now involved in transportation. To support this claim, the researchers compared data from the NHTSA with data from Uber and Lyft companies. They found the following in relation to rideshare accidents and related injuries:
Auto accident cases
increased
in large cities
High numbers for car accidents
also common in areas with large use of public transportation
Fatal auto accidents
increased
due to Uber and Lyft services, which in turn led to clogged roadways and increased chances of accidents overall
Many researchers criticize this report, discounting the research for not taking other economic factors into account, such as lower gas prices leading to higher instances of driving. Regardless, Uber and Lyft accidents can lead to serious injury.
As with other motor vehicle accidents, Lyft and Uber crashes can occur for a range of reasons. The majority of auto accidents involving a Lyft or Uber vehicle are due to a mistake made by the ridesharing driver, but some may be due to the Lyft or Uber passenger, such as causing distractions. Here are some of the most common reasons for rideshare accidents:
No matter the reason, if you were hurt in a rideshare car accident, you may be able to file an accident claim to seek compensation for medical bills and other damages. A personal injury lawyer can offer you immediate legal advice and help you understand your rights during a free consultation.
Don’t be deterred by the confusion surrounding liability in Lyft and Uber accidents. LegalFinders will connect you to a trusted legal team backed by experience, client testimonials, and a successful track record.
Our network of legal professionals has managed a number of personal injury cases, including Uber and Lyft accident cases. We come to you armed with knowledge and experience in this area of personal injury law. Let our trusted law firms get to work on your case. Call our helpline today to learn more.
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Published: 6 February 2022
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