Nowadays, several people use rideshare services from companies like Uber and Lyft as a means of transportation. It’s because these services can help them get to their destination as quickly as possible. Whether they want a ride to or from their workplace, a rideshare driver can eliminate the hassle associated with taking a bus or train.
However, despite the convenience rideshare services provide, vehicular accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers could still happen. Like other drivers on the road, they can still get into car collisions if they commit negligent acts while driving or if the other drivers are at fault. Fortunately, if you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be eligible to file a claim against the at-fault driver to seek compensation for your injury.
But how are you going to do that? Read on to learn how to file a rideshare accident claim.
1. Obtain Medical Treatment
If you’ve been involved in a road accident, seeking immediate medical attention is essential to avoid more serious medical complications. Although you think you’re fine after the collision, you should see a doctor immediately, as you might have physical injuries that aren’t apparent because of the shock and some delayed symptoms.
Moreover, getting medical treatment following the rideshare accident is necessary for your claim. Unlike other personal injury cases, you need to provide evidence, such as your medical records, to prove the direct relationship between your injury and the rideshare accident. Filing a rideshare accident claim will be much easier with proper documentation.
2. Report The Accident To The Rideshare Company
Although reporting the accident isn’t necessary, it may still be a good idea to notify the rideshare company involved in the collision. Most rideshare companies have procedures for accident reporting that you must follow. It’s especially true if you’re charging the rideshare company liable for what happened. Depending on their policies, your claim against the rideshare company may be affected if you fail to report the accident right away.
For that reason, it may be best to report the accident to the rideshare service provider to avoid problems with your accident claim.
3. Consult A Lawyer
If you’re filing a rideshare accident claim, you need to consult a lawyer to know your next course of legal action. Unlike in a regular vehicular accident, determining who is at fault for what happened can be tricky as many parties may be involved. Depending on the circumstances, the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, or the third-party driver may be held liable for the accident.
But how about the collision caused by the rideshare driver? Is the rideshare company accountable? Given these questions, you may be asking this question – ‘who pays for a crash done by an Uber or Lyft driver?’
Hence, to ensure you contest the proper party or parties in a rideshare accident claim, you should work with an experienced lawyer. They can help you establish the liability of the potential at-fault parties. Also, knowing who is at fault may give you a better chance of defending your claim and, in turn, recovering compensation for your injury.
4. Gather Information About The Rideshare Accident
When planning to initiate a rideshare accident claim, collecting information about what happened is essential as it may constitute evidence for your case. Without valuable evidence to support your claim, you may have lower chances of receiving a more favorable outcome.
Because of this, you should start the evidence-collection process as quickly as possible. For example, you should gather information about the collision, which includes the name of all the parties involved, their contact details, and the personal information of the witnesses. Ask for some information about the vehicles involved, such as the license plate number, make, and model.
On the other hand, taking photos of the accident scene is essential, including the vehicle damage and the surroundings is vital. Take as many pictures as you can to ensure you cover everything. Also, don’t forget to secure copies of your medical records to prove that your injury directly resulted from the accident. If there were police officers who investigated the accident, make sure to ask for a copy of the police report as it may contain information that can prove the at-fault driver’s negligence that caused the crash. Lastly, if your claim needs to be substantiated by experts, work with your injury lawyer, as they may have connections to professionals like expert doctors who can testify on your behalf.
Conclusion
There’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with an injury caused by someone else’s recklessness. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to face the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of being an injured passenger in a rideshare accident. In that case, your recourse would be to file a rideshare accident claim to hold the at-fault party responsible and get compensated for your injury. Therefore, if you’re planning to initiate an accident claim, keep the information mentioned above in mind to know where to start.
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