4 things you should know about Uber and Lyft accidents
Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are staples in our society now, especially in California. You may take trips with drivers without even a second thought. But your safety is largely in the hands of these drivers, and the rise of ridesharing brings a higher risk of accidents. What do you do if you are in an Uber or Lyft accident
There are many different factors that make Uber and Lyft collisions different than normal ones. Most notably, the insurance process is unique. Here are some important steps to take if you are the passenger in a ridesharing wreck.
- Thoroughly document the accident
The first thing you should do is call 911 so you can get an official police report. This is an essential piece of evidence of the crash. Next, take photos of the wreck. After that, write down the contact information of the driver and any nearby witnesses. Finally, take screenshots of the ride details on your phone.
- Consider suing the at-fault Uber or Lyft driver
If your driver is responsible for the accident and you sustain an injury, you may want to bring a lawsuit. Both Uber and Lyft have a $1 million liability policy that covers passengers. Generally, drivers are not able to compensate you for medical bills out-of-pocket, which is why the policy exists.
- Consider suing the other at-fault driver
If another motorist is responsible for the accident (not your Uber or Lyft driver), then you should seek compensation through that person’s insurance policy. If this individual does not have enough to cover your medical bills and other losses, Uber and Lyft both have an underinsured motorist policy of up to $1 million.
- Sue the ridesharing company in extreme cases
In certain circumstances, you may be able to directly sue Uber or Lyft. This is usually only an option if the ridesharing company is negligent in hiring a dangerous driver.
