It’s undeniable that the popularity of ride-hailing and ride-sharing companies have increased dramatically over the last few years. Since 2016, ride sharing users in the United States has grown over 36% in two years with an estimated 58.5 million users in 2018 with that number is expected to rise to 77.4 million by 2022.
What makes ride-sharing unique to taxis is not only the intuitive, streamlined process for hailing a driver but the drivers themselves. Most of Lyft’s and Uber’s workforce consists of drivers who often only work for their ride-sharing companies part-time and are hired, virtually, with little to no professional driving experience. Most taxi drivers must also submit their applications through much more stringent background checks in comparison to their ride-sharing counterparts. In all, what this means is that your Uber or Lyft driver may potentially be much more susceptible to being involved in a car accident.
This leads to many ride-share users to ask: What actually happens if I’m in a car accident when riding in an Uber or Lyft? Who pays for the injuries I’ve sustained in the car accident?
The simple answer is that the insurance for the person driving the vehicle who’s at fault would likely cover the costs of injuries sustained during a car accident, however, there are always measures victims should ALWAYS take in the event of a car accident to maximize their potential car accident injury settlement.
Here are a few key steps to follow in the event that you’re ever in a car accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft.
- Call 911 or your local emergency line – Dispatching ambulatory, police, and life-saving services should absolutely be the first measure taken immediately following any car accident for a plethora of reasons, most importantly, for the health and safety of everyone involved in the car accident. Adrenaline spikes from a traumatic car accident could potentially mask symptoms of something much more severe such as internal bleeding so it is always important to have a medical professional involved when you’ve been in a car accident as soon possible. Also, police presence will also ensure that the car accident has been recorded in public record, which could potentially be used later as part of your car injury claim or car injury lawsuit.
- Take Pictures – Use your smartphone to take photos of the entire scene of the car accident. Take photos of the vehicles involved, any street signs, license plates, and injuries. All of these photos will be taken into account during your car injury claim and could potentially be used as evidence in a trial.
- Screenshot your Uber or Lyft app – Make sure you screenshot any available information regarding the driver on your Uber or Lyft application. This data may not be available afterward; don’t take a chance on Uber or Lyft in potentially scrubbing away evidence of your car accident.
- DO NOT talk to Uber or Lyft… – In every car accident injury claim, there are plenty of pitfalls that can absolutely ruin your chances of receiving an injury settlement. Declaring anything on a recorded line and misspeaking is absolutely one of those pitfalls. DON’T DO IT!
- …Speak To An Experienced Car Accident Attorney First – The best advice for anyone involved in a car accident is to speak to an experienced car accident lawyer who can legitimately help in understanding the necessary steps to take in order to maximize your potential car accident injury settlement. Settling your car injury claim without a car accident attorney could mean losing out in thousands to help pay for your medical bills.
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