Who Is Liable In a Rideshare Accident?

Rideshare services have become so commonplace that there is hardly anyone who has not used them.  They are convenient and, most times, easy to get. However, just like when you ride in any other type of vehicle, it is possible to get in an accident while using a rideshare. That is why it is important to be informed about your rights, should this happen to you, and who the liable party would be in this case.

If you are injured in a rideshare accident, contact Jacksonville car accident lawyers to help you with your ride accident claim, particularly if you have to file claims against more than one insurance company.

Determining Liability in a Rideshare Accident

Just as with any other type of vehicle accident, rideshare accidents require a full investigation to determine who was at fault. Your lawyer can help you with the investigation and the recovery of damages to which you might be entitled.

In cases where Uber or Lyft drivers are involved, these companies carry a $1 million liability insurance policy for passengers. However, if the driver was not in service when the accident occurred, the claim might have to be filed against their car insurance company. Depending on the accident and how many vehicles were involved, you may also have to file against another motorist’s insurer or your own. This also depends on whether you were in the Uber or Lyft vehicle or the other vehicle involved in the crash.

If you need to file against multiple people or insurance companies, the process becomes quite elaborate. You want to have an expert by your side who can make sure that the other parties do not join forces so that they can minimize or deny your claim. Let your accident lawyer handle all of these negotiations to help you make sure that all responsible parties are held accountable.

Rideshare Accidents Can Be Quite Complex

You know that rideshare companies carry liability insurance. Yet, this does not necessarily mean that you will be able to recover compensation from them after a collision. This is because sometimes, the driver who picked you up might not have been logged on the app when the accident took place. If this is your case, the only way to recover compensation is through the driver’s car insurance policy.

If the investigation reveals that another driver was partially or fully responsible for the accident, you may file a claim against them, and their insurance should cover the cost of your damages. In other cases, you may find yourself filing a claim with your health insurance, personal injury protection policy, or an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim with your car insurance policy.

As you may very well imagine, the possible outcomes of these cases are endless and the best way to protect your rights is to work with an accident attorney who has experience with rideshare accidents.They will understand what steps need to be taken to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

What should you do if you are injured in a rideshare accident?

If you are seriously injured in a rideshare or any other vehicle accident, your priority should be taking care of your health. If you need an ambulance, call one and get yourself to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Otherwise, if your injuries allow you to stay at the scene of the accident, you must make every effort to gather and preserve as much evidence as possible.

Call 911

Start by dialing 911 and requesting police presence. When the police arrive, they will make their own determination as to what happened and prepare a report. Refrain from giving them your opinions, they have the expertise to reach their own conclusions, and you do not want to end up incriminating yourself.

Obtain the Driver’s Information

Get the name and contact information of the rideshare driver, and make a note of the car’s model, make, and license plate number. If other drivers were involved, get their information as well. In all cases, get their insurance information and driver’s license number.

Report the Crash

The rideshare company needs to be made aware of the accident as soon as possible. You can do this through their app or website.

Document the Scene

Take pictures of the accident and photograph the damage to the cars, and their position on the road. Also, take pictures of anything else that might have played a role, like an oil spill or construction debris on the road.

Keep a Detailed File

Save all communication you have with the rideshare company and their insurance company, whether they are texts, emails, or other correspondence. Also, keep a detailed file including all your medical expenses, doctor’s visits, treatments, therapies, prescription medications, and anything else related to the treatment of your injuries.

Take pictures of the injuries on the day they happened and as the recovery progresses. If you cannot return to work due to your injuries, document the wages you have lost and any bonuses or other payments you may not have received.

Get Legal Representation

Being involved in a rideshare accident has many different aspects that a crash with another individual may not have. You may be dealing with a team of lawyers from the rideshare company, have to file with many insurance policies, and more. Trying to unscramble this puzzle on your own while recovering from your injuries and fighting to get all the compensation you deserve simultaneously may not yield optimal results.

An experienced rideshare accident attorney will have the knowledge of the law and negotiating skills you need at this time. Don’t sign any documents without having your attorney look them over. You don’t want to risk accepting a low offer because you were pressured into it.