By this point, it’s highly likely you’ve already “grabbed an Uber (or Lyft or both).” Ride-sharing has not just become a popular alternative to taxis, to many in the population it’s rendered them obsolete. But just like riding in any car, Uber and Lyft accidents can happen, so it’s important to know what to do if you’re in one. Here are some helpful steps if you’re in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft or other ride-sharing program.
Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention
As is the case with any auto accident, whether you’re a driver or a passenger, you should call 911 and seek medical care. Even if you don’t think the injuries are serious, it’s still a good idea to get checked out to protect your health and make sure nothing shows up down the road.
Take Pictures and Videos
If you’re able to, take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and even a video of the driver should they admit fault. It is understandable if you’re unable to do some of these things due to injury, this is often the case.
Gather Information from Witnesses
You’ll want to gather the following from witnesses/those involved in the crash (if applicable):
Name, address, and telephone numbers (you can always take a picture of their ID)
Insurance information (take a picture of front and back of the card)
Any additional contact information/insurance information
Contact a Sacramento Uber Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you’ll want a personal injury attorney to help assess your potential claim. Personal injury attorneys will help you navigate from the beginning to the end of the process and deal with all communication with the insurance company so that you can focus on recovery.
Who Pays for the Damages in a Ride-Sharing Accident?
Finding someone to pay for the injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident can be tricky. While these companies carry insurance, it is considered “secondary.” This means Uber wants the driver’s insurance company to pay, however, their policy may have an exclusion for commercial activity and wouldn’t cover the accident you were in.
Thanks to California Vehicle Code Section 5430, Uber and similar ride-sharing companies have a $1 million insurance policy for drivers, passengers, and third parties that get injured in an accident involving one of their cars. However, it is not uncommon for Uber to deny these claims. If the driver was in between transporting passengers, Uber may not be required to offer as much and try to downplay the incident. The driver will also have the incentive to do the same because this will also affect their income from driving.
The Two Situations You May Face in an Uber or Lyft Accident as a Passenger
The Uber or Lyft Driver Caused the Accident: if you’ve suffered injuries, you may bring a personal injury claim against Uber. The insurance applies from the moment a ride is accepted until the driver marks complete.
The Uber or Lyft Driver Wasn’t at Fault: you can bring a claim against the driver of the vehicle who was at fault. You will be limited to their policy limits if they have insurance. If they don’t have insurance, and you have an uninsured motorist policy as part of your coverage, you may be able to use that to get compensated.
In either instance, we recommend seeking out a consultation with a Sacramento uber accident driver or San Diego uber accident driver depending on your location. We have offices located in Northern and Southern California, offer FREE case evaluations, and can be reached at (916) 619-5452. Call us today!
