“I was hurt when my Uber driver got in an accident. What should I do?”
If you’ve ever experienced injury while riding with Uber, or if you frequently use the rideshare service, there are a few things you should know.
Since its inception in 2009, Uber has provided over 10 billion rides. Lyft, Uber’s top competitor, just hit the 1-billion-mark this year. That’s a lot of rides and a lot of potential for accidents.
But dealing with an accident with Uber is vastly different from dealing with one where the other driver is just another driver or in which you are the passenger of a friend or family member.
Here’s what you should know.
If You’re a Passenger of Uber
Here are some steps to take if you’re a passenger in an Uber vehicle when the crash occurs:
- Call 911 and take pictures of the damage to both cars
- Gather information from witnesses, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers
- Write down your Uber driver’s name (it’s already in your phone on the Uber app, but better safe than sorry)
- Screenshot your Uber receipt and confirmation of your ride on your phone
- Talk to a lawyer if you are hurt and have any medical bills
If you’re a passenger during a crash and your driver is at fault, you are covered under the $1 million policy that Uber has in place for liability. In the event that you were not covered by the policy at the time of the crash, you would sue the driver directly. Of course, if the other driver is at fault, you would be covered under their insurance (as well as an additional $1 million uninsured motorist policy from Uber or Lyft).
In most cases, you would not sue Uber or Lyft directly. However, it is important to note that you should send preservation of evidence letters (as the name implies, to preserve the evidence of your trip) to Uber or Lyft and your driver. If the rideshare company fails to retain any pertinent data, you would then be able to sue them directly.
If You’re Not a Passenger
When you’re not a passenger and you get in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, things get a bit more complicated. You might still be covered under the $1 million policy but only if the driver is on duty and is currently transporting a passenger and not using the car for personal reasons.
My Uber Driver Got in an Accident: What Do I Do Now?
Getting into an auto accident is never a fun experience. When the other driver is working for a rideshare company, or when you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, things can become less than simple. Want to ensure that you are protected after an accident with Uber or Lyft? Get in touch with us today. We will walk you through the process and do our best to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Chat with us now by clicking on the icon in the lower right corner of your screen.
