What to Do After Being Injured in a Rideshare Accident
If you were involved in a collision with a vehicle driven by a rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber, you may not know where you can turn to recover compensation for property damage and personal injury that you suffered. Do you file a claim with the Uber or Lyft driver? Or, do you pursue a legal case directly against the rideshare company? Here is what you need to know about the steps you should take after being involved in a rideshare accident.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident?
Steps to take in the hours and days after being in a rideshare accident include:
- Contacting the authorities to report the accident, calling the local police department or highway patrol, or calling 911 if you or someone else involved in the accident has been injured.
- Exchanging contact, vehicle, and insurance information with the rideshare driver and any other motorists involved in the crash.
- Documenting the accident scene by using your cell phone to take photos and video of details such as damage to the vehicles involved in the accident, skid marks or debris broken off from the vehicle on the roadway, traffic signals and controls at the scene, and weather/lighting/traffic/road conditions.
- Speaking to any eyewitnesses to the accident to get a brief statement and to take down their contact information in case you need a more formal statement for your case.
- Reporting the accident to the rideshare company as soon as possible after the crash. Uber and Lyft have links on their websites where you can report being involved in a collision with a rideshare driver.
- Reporting the accident to your own auto insurer as well to ensure your eligibility for personal injury protection coverage.
- Seeing a doctor soon after the crash to get examined for any injuries you may have suffered. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and treatment instructions.
- Keeping copies of any bills, invoices, receipts, pay stubs, and other records of expenses and financial losses that you incurred due to the accident.
Finally, you should make time to talk to a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible to have them begin an investigation of the crash and prepare a legal claim for compensation on your behalf.
Obtaining Compensation for an Accident Caused by a Lyft or Uber Driver
Under Pennsylvania law, rideshare drivers are required to carry certain levels of liability insurance coverage while on duty for the rideshare company. In practice, this insurance coverage is usually provided by Lyft and Uber to their drivers. These minimum coverages include:
- If the rideshare driver is not logged into the mobile application: The driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies; the rideshare company is not obligated to provide coverage.
- If the rideshare driver is logged into the app and awaiting a ride request: Bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per accident, and first-party medical benefits for pedestrians of $25,000.
- If the rideshare driver has accepted a ride request, is driving to pick up a passenger, or has a rideshare passenger in the vehicle: Combined liability coverage of $500,000 per accident, plus first-party medical benefits for passengers of $25,000.
Suing the Rideshare Company
Unfortunately, it would be difficult to sue Lyft or Uber directly for an accident caused by one of its drivers, as rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors. This means that rideshare companies cannot be subject to employer liability because they technically do not employ their drivers.
Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Uber/Lyft Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an Uber/Lyft accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC represent clients injured because of Uber/Lyft accidents in Butler, Cranberry Township, Erie, Greensburg, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call (412) 471-4300 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 310 Grant St. #720, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.