5 Tips to Expertly Navigate a Ridesharing Accident Injury Claim
Personal injury and automobile accidents can be life-changing events, leading to years of rehabilitation, medical bills, and inability to work. It is common to file claims and receive compensation for these, but what are the rules if you were in a rideshare when the accident happened?
Although the laws are complicated, you are still entitled to compensation for a ridesharing accident. At WyattLawFirm.Com, an expert lawyer can walk you through the steps of deciding whether you have a strong case and help you file a claim and get the proper compensation for your injuries.
When in a rideshare accident case, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. However, here are five tips to easily navigate the claim and not miss out on any compensation. Hopefully, you’ll be able to heal and get back to normal life as soon as possible.
Table of Contents
Tips for Handling a Ridesharing Accident Injury Claim
Document Everything
The first thing to do after any car accident is to ensure everyone is cared for and okay. It’s crucial to get medical needs taken care of, whether it’s yours, the driver’s, or other passengers. However, once that is done, try to document everything that happened with photos and witness accounts.
Documenting the accident will be helpful in case you ever end up in court. Of course, if you sustained injuries that prevent you from documenting on the spot, you might have to rely on eyewitness accounts and police reports. Always prioritize your health over getting documentation for an accident.
Report the Accident
Of course, you’ll need to report the accident to the local authorities and the rideshare company. In most cases, Uber or Lyft will automatically offer you compensation for being in an accident on their time. However, sometimes the driver is to blame, and they will be responsible for paying for your injuries.
You can’t legally make a claim against the company or the rideshare driver unless you’ve properly reported the accident promptly. This ensures that everything is being taken care of properly, and you won’t need to go over the details of the accident again and again.
Know Your Rights
As a paying passenger, you have certain rights. If you can prove that your driver was driving recklessly or acting with negligence, you will have a better case for a personal injury claim. Knowing that you have a right to safety in a vehicle can help you make a proper claim.
Once you’ve paid for an Uber, Lyft, or another ridesharing app, you sign a contract to pay for safe conveyance to your destination. By getting in an accident, the driver is breaking that contract. If it is their fault, you are eligible for compensation and can easily file a claim.
Hire a Lawyer
Of course, hiring a lawyer is a great way to take the stress off your mind and focus on healing and caring for your physical and medical needs. An experienced ridesharing accident or personal injury lawyer can help you by talking to insurance, the company, medical experts, and the courts.
Once you’ve hired a lawyer, you will be given an accurate representation of how much compensation to ask for and how long the case might take. Companies sometimes settle out of court to avoid a public lawsuit. However, if you go to court, having a lawyer by your side is incredibly helpful.
Know Who to File Against
Uber, Lyft, and other major ridesharing apps have insurance for accidents while ridesharing. However, these insurance policies only cover a certain amount of injuries or compensation. Up to a point, you can sue the individual driver for your accident. However, once you’ve reached the insurance limit, you’ll need to sue the company instead.
Your lawyer will help you with the necessary research to decide who you should file against and when the damages will go over the limit. However, you can look up the limits of each rideshare company and base your case on that information.
