Uber/Lyft Accidents on the Rise, Crucial Information to Know

Uber, Lyft and other popular ride sharing services have revolutionized the taxi and public transportation industry, in general. Since Uber first hit the scene back in 2009, ride sharing services have taken the world by storm. No longer do you have to compete with other people to get a ride to and from the destination of your choice. You also don’t have to struggle through riding public buses or trains.

Uber, Lyft, Juno and other ride sharing services allow you to simply order a ride just for you at a reasonable price without the hassle.

Unfortunately, because there are so many more vehicles on the road with the constantly increasing popularity of ride sharing services, there are even more car accidents than ever. You may even find yourself in one of these vehicles on your way to a destination and be involved in a crash that can leave you with injuries. It’s important to know what to do in the event that this happens.

Necessary Steps to Take After an Accident Involving a Ride sharing Vehicle
Sadly, it is a fact of life that accidents can and will happen, including those on the road. Even the most careful drivers can end up in a crash in spite of taking the utmost precautions behind the wheel. Many accidents are simply unavoidable.

If you happen to be in a ride sharing vehicle that gets into an accident, or in any type of car that is involved in one, there are certain steps you must take. They include the following:

1. Check on everyone involved in the accident, including yourself. The most important thing is to make sure that everyone is safe. Ask if anyone is injured and check on those who claim to have been hurt in the accident.
2. Call 911 to get the police to the scene of the accident. Even if any injuries seem to be minor, if there is damage as a result of the collision, you should summon the police so that they can make a police accident report. In addition to being able to use the police report if you end up deciding to file a personal injury claim or a claim for property damage, you should also have an ambulance arrive to bring you and other people involved in the accident to the hospital. It’s so important to get medically checked out to ensure that you are not seriously injured, and if you are, you can get the treatment that you need. In many instances, after an accident, adrenaline is surging and you may be unaware that you are in fact badly injured. Getting medical attention can also determine whether you have any unseen internal injuries that need to immediately be addressed.
3. If you are able to physically manage it, take pictures of the aftermath of the accident using the camera from your cell phone. Take many and snap a few shots of the vehicles and any noticeable damage, the road, skid marks, relevant street signs or lights, the weather conditions and anything else that relates to the car accident. Take a few shots from a variety of angles to ensure you capture everything.
4. Talk to the driver of the Uber, Lyft or other ride sharing vehicle and get their name, phone number, driver’s license number and license plate number. Do the same with other drivers involved in the accident.
5. Look around for witnesses who saw the accident as it happened. Speak with them and get their names and contact information. You can also ask them to write down their own accounts of what occurred at the time of the accident and immediately before it.
6. Contact your insurance company and explain that you have been in a ride sharing vehicle accident. Tell the representative about your condition and what steps you are planning next.
7. Write down your own account of what happened during the accident, immediately before it and afterward as well. This can be essential for your case if you file a claim as it can serve as important evidence of the facts surrounding the accident.
8. Above all else, remain calm. While this might seem difficult, if not impossible, you have to stay calm so as to not make the situation worse than it already is.

What Happens After a Ride sharing Accident Takes Place?
There is a great likelihood that you or someone you know relies on ride sharing services to get to and from various places. Since Uber broke out onto the scene, getting your own ride has been as easy as simply downloading the ride sharing service’s app on your smartphone, opening it and requesting a ride. Due to this convenience, you no longer have to stand on the street and fight for a taxi. Ride sharing services are also much more preferable to many people due to their cheaper prices as they cost a fraction of what traditional taxis charge for rides.

In the past few years, there have been more than 3 million Uber vehicles alone on the roads. As a result of this sizable number, it should come as no surprise that there have been more accidents involving ride sharing vehicles. There are certain situations you can find yourself in if you happen to be a passenger or simply a bystander when one of these vehicles gets into an accident.

It’s important to know what can happen in any scenario:

1. You are a passenger in a ride sharing accident: As a passenger involved in a ride sharing accident, you can take advantage of the ride sharing company’s USD$1 million insurance policy if you have suffered injuries. You should contact an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
2. You are a pedestrian involved in a ride sharing accident while the driver didn’t have the app open: There are different scenarios that may apply if you are a pedestrian involved in an accident with a ride sharing vehicle. If the driver did not have the app open when the crash occurred, the only way to recover compensation would be through the driver’s own insurance coverage, but you may have to rely on your own policy if it’s insufficient.
3. You are a pedestrian in a ride sharing accident while the driver had the app open: If the driver had the ride sharing company’s app open, it means they were waiting for someone to request a ride. The company’s insurance policy applies and covers you for injuries at USD$50,000 per injury up to a maximum of USD$100,000 as well as USD$25,000 for property damage.
4. You are a pedestrian in a ride sharing accident while the driver is picking up a passenger: The USD$1 million insurance policy kicks in if you are a pedestrian in an accident with a ride sharing vehicle on the way to pick up a passenger. However, although the driver’s GPS serves as proof of their location, it’s worth consulting with a ride sharing accident lawyer to ensure your rights are protected.
5. You are a pedestrian in a ride sharing accident while the driver is transporting a passenger: If you’re a pedestrian and the accident occurs while the driver is transporting a passenger, the USD$1 million insurance policy also applies. Still, you should speak with an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer for your own protection.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a ride sharing vehicle, you need West Coast Trial Lawyers on your side. Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers and speak with an experienced ride sharing accident lawyer immediately to learn about the options available to you.