Nobody ever expects to be in a Lyft or Uber car accident, but it happens frequently. This is what to do if you are involved in a ride-sharing accident.
There are over 6 million car accidents in the United States every year. Some of those accidents involve ride-sharing companies like Uber or their competitor Lyft.
The aftermath of a car accident can be complicated in the best circumstances, but a Lyft or Uber car accident has an added level of complications.
If you are in a Lyft or Uber car accident, these are the steps you should take.
Uber Car Accident Basics
There are three primary ways you can be involved in an Uber car accident. The first is if you are a passenger in an Uber and the driver is involved in an accident. The second is if you are driving a vehicle that is involved in an accident with an Uber.
In either scenario, there are at least three insurance companies whose information you’ll need:
- Uber’s insurance.
- the Uber driver’s insurance.
- the insurance for the driver of any other vehicles in the accident.
The third scenario is if you are a pedestrian and you are struck by an Uber. There are only two insurance companies in this final situation:
- the ride-share company’s policy.
- the driver’s personal policy.
Both Uber and Lyft have insurance for their drivers that only covers them if an accident happens while actively engaging in the app’s work.
For instance, if an Uber driver crashes into your car while they are driving for Uber, the Uber insurance policy applies. If they are not actively driving for Uber at the crash, they will have to rely on their personal insurance. Injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in South Carolina? Our South Carolina Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys could help.
Passenger Injuries
Both Uber and Lyft have policies in place to cover bodily injury during an accident. The amount of coverage varies based on multiple factors. The primary factor is whether or not the ride-share driver has a passenger.
If you are an Uber passenger who got hurt in a car accident, they will provide up to $1 million in bodily injury coverage. If someone is injured in an accident with an Uber driver, but they don’t have a passenger, then the coverage is only $50,000.
Lyft has a policy with identical coverage amounts. The severity of your injuries and who is at fault for the accident could further complicate the situation.
A Columbia, SC personal injury attorney would help determine how to get your claim paid, or if necessary, how to get an accident settlement.
Property Damages
Uber and Lyft also have coverage for property damage up to $25,000. This is useful if a ride-share driver hits your vehicle. A South Carolina car accident attorney would also be helpful in this situation to make sure any Uber accident claims are fulfilled.
Differences Between Lyft and Uber
What happens if your Lyft driver gets into an accident? It’s the same scenario if your Uber driver crashes.
Uber and Lyft are well-known competitors, and their insurance policies are incredibly similar. Lyft does provide more information about their insurance policies on their website than Uber.
Uber’s information is targeted at their drivers, but their coverage amounts for passengers are equivalent to Lyft’s.
Regardless of which ride-share service you use, they will be represented by their corporate legal team and an insurance company interested in keeping their money.
The best way to get your accident claims properly fulfilled is to retain a South Carolina personal injury lawyer.
What to Do If You Are in a Lyft or Uber Car Accident in South Carolina
The immediate response to an Uber accident or a Lyft accident will look very similar to any other car accident. The most important thing is to address any injuries or medical emergencies first and then move on to the rest of the damages.
Make a Police Report and Seek Medical Attention
The first step for any car accident is to call 911. There are two fundamental reasons for this. First, medical assistance should be the first concern for everyone involved. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it is a good idea to get checked by a medical professional just in case.
Once emergency medical services are on the way, you’ll want to take care of the second reason for calling 911. To file any insurance claims, there needs to be a police report of the accident.
All insurance companies, whether they are personal or for the ride-share company, require a police report. This report is also helpful in determining who is at fault for the accident.
Additionally, if the people in the crash are unable to document the scene due to medical emergencies, then the police report is a critically important part of the case.
Document the Scene
If you are medically able, you should take photographs of the accident and any damage to you or your vehicle. As soon as possible afterward you should write down everything you remember about the accident.
This information is useful to the insurance companies.
Report the Lyft or Uber Car Accident to the Ride-share Service
Reporting the accident to the ride-share company as a passenger is straightforward. Both Uber and Lyft have options in their apps to report an accident.
After selecting that option in the app, their customer service team will guide you through the next steps.
They will likely ask you to make a statement to their representative, but this is not required and not advisable.
Their insurance company could use any statement you make against you when determining how to fulfill any claims. Speak to a Columbia car accident lawyer first.
Obtain Insurance Information
Finally, you should collect the names, contact information, and insurance information from all involved parties.
Lyft makes the insurance certificates available for any car in which you are a passenger, but only during a ride. You cannot see your Lyft driver’s insurance once a ride is over, so make sure to get it at the time of the accident.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney
The aftermath of a car accident is a complicated situation and adding a ride-share company to the equation only makes it more complicated.
Multiple insurance policies and rapidly evolving ride-share laws make it hard to get the coverage you need.
If you are in a Lyft or Uber car accident, it is in your best interest to speak to a South Carolina Uber or Lyft accident attorney.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
If you have been in a ride-share accident in South Carolina, please reach out to discuss your case. Our Sumter personal injury lawyers are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
