My Lyft got into an accident while I was a passenger—what should I expect? If you ever need to answer this question, it’s best to be prepared.
Getting a ride with Lyft or Uber may be convenient, but just like driving yourself to your destination—and perhaps even more so—using a rideshare service has plenty of risk. Compared to other professions, rideshare drivers are minimally vetted. Your driver may have been on the road for a full day already by the time they pick you up. The app on their phone can be distracting as they accept new assignments while in transit.
All of this makes the likelihood of getting into an accident—and possibly getting hurt in the process—much higher. If your Lyft gets into an accident and you are injured as a result, here’s what to do next.
Steps to Take Immediately
1. Call the police.
As you should do for all car accidents, the first thing you need to do is call 911. Calling the police to the scene helps to document the accident, with witness statements and evidence going into a police report. You may need the police report to back up your claims if you are hurt.
2. Document the scene.
You should also try to document as much of the scene as possible. Take pictures or video with your phone, talk to witnesses and get their information for later use, note the time of day and driving conditions—gather as much detail as possible so that you can support any insurance claims you make.
3. Exchange information with each driver.
When you are a Lyft passenger during an accident, you need to exchange information with each driver that was involved in the crash, including your rideshare driver. Depending on who caused the accident, you may need to file a claim with each insurance provider.
My lyft got into an accident. What should I do? Let us help you through the process.
4. Contact an attorney.
Lyft and Uber accidents can get complicated. If you were a passenger during an accident, you should be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance. However, there’s no knowing whether your claim will be denied. When that happens, you want to have an experienced attorney there to guide you. The sooner you get the process started with an attorney, the better.
My Lyft got into an accident. Do I need to file a personal injury lawsuit?
You may be wondering whether you will need to file a lawsuit for your injuries. In most cases, the insurance company will settle your case before it gets to that point. But beware—insurance providers are running a business and they make more money if they can figure out how to deny your claim.
You should talk to an attorney with experience handling Lyft and Uber accident cases. They understand the tactics that insurance companies use to deny claims, and they will negotiate on your behalf to get you the best settlement possible.
Talk to Pacin Levine, P.A., to discuss your options.
Have you been hurt as a Lyft passenger? Get in touch with us today for a free case review.
Are you ready to pursue your case? Contact us today and set up an appointment to speak to an attorney. Call us at 1-800-24-7-CRASH or write to us at [email protected].
