A Four-Step Guide
When stepping into an Uber or Lyft, your focus is probably on where you’re going and what you’re going to do once you get there. It’s unlikely that you’re thinking, what will I do if the driver gets in an accident, and I get injured? Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft accidents happen all too often, leaving the injured passenger to wonder where to turn, what to do, and how to pay for their medical bills.
The old adage rings true: knowledge really is power, especially when it comes to Uber and Lyft accidents. Whether you utilize the rideshare services of Uber or Lyft only once in a while on special occasions, or regularly as a way to commute from point A to point B, one of the wisest things you can do is read this article and learn how to protect yourself in the event that your Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident.
Step #1 Call the police and seek medical attention
In order to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, it is essential to have a police report of the incident. If your Lyft or Uber driver hasn’t done so already, the first thing you need to do is call the police and request medical attention—even if you do not know whether you are injured.
Adrenaline levels can skyrocket in the immediate aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident, and this can mask pain that will rear its head in the ensuing hours or days. To build the strongest claim, it is important to minimize the amount of time that passes between the accident itself and the time that you see a medical professional. Having the accident and any potential injuries documented by a medical professional will strengthen your claim manyfold.
Step #2 Obtain as much information and evidence from the scene as possible
Photographs and witness statements can prove invaluable in an Uber or Lyft accident case. If possible, you should take pictures of the rideshare vehicle and the other vehicles involved, as well as the surrounding area, including the street signs, road conditions, and any marks left by the accident (e.g., skid marks). Such photographs will prove particularly helpful in the event that an accident reconstruction expert needs to be called in to recreate the accident.
In addition to taking photographs, you should try to obtain the contact and insurance information of the Uber or Lyft driver and all other drivers involved, as well as the contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident.
Step #3 Call the insurance companies
After obtaining as much information as possible from the scene of the accident and seeking medical treatment, you need to report the accident to your insurance company and the insurance company of Uber or Lyft. Keep the details to a minimum, and do not provide a full statement until you have sought the guidance of an Uber and Lyft accident attorney.
Step #4 Contact an Uber and Lyft accident attorney
The insurance companies working for Uber and Lyft have one goal in mind: make money. This means that it is their goal to pay as little as possible on every auto accident claim they receive.
In addition, these companies have boundless defense resources, so plaintiffs who try to take them on without a strong Uber and Lyft rideshare accident attorney in their corner are destined to walk away with much less than they deserve.
Even if you aren’t yet sure whether you plan to hire an attorney, reach out to one and tell them your story. Many people are surprised to learn that they won’t have to pay a dime upfront for high-quality legal representation in their Uber or Lyft accident claim.
Most people are also surprised to learn just how much value can be added to their case the second they hire an attorney. Why is this true? It’s because insurance companies know that when a reputable attorney is standing beside the claimant, they won’t be able to get away with lowball offers that can cheat the claimant out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Unlike unsuspecting claimants who assume that insurance adjusters abide by a code of ethics, experienced Lyft and Uber accident attorneys are wise to the games these companies play.
Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A.: Ready and Willing to Protect Your Rights
At Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., you’ll find a team of attorneys who are prepared to face your opponent head-on. We don’t cut corners, we don’t sugarcoat, and we don’t shy away from the threat of trial. Instead, we prioritize the interests of our clients above all else. This means fighting for your rights, fighting for the maximum compensation possible, and never settling for less than you deserve.
We have offices located in Miramar, FL, Hollywood, FL, Fort Lauderdale, FL, West Palm Beach, FL, Orlando, FL, Sarasota, FL, Tampa, FL, and Jacksonville, FL.
If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida, don’t wait: jumpstart your claim today and call 800-TELL-ROBERT.
Please remember to refer your friends and family to Fenstersheib Law Group if they are involved in a rideshare accident and in need of a personal injury attorney. Our rideshare attorneys are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
