Getting into a car accident is often a traumatic, overwhelming experience. This is especially true when you are involved in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft. With rideshare options rising in popularity, people find themselves in the passenger seat of an Uber and Lyft more than ever. Additionally, many people drive for Uber or Lyft to make extra money in their spare time. Unfortunately, rideshare vehicles are not immune to car accidents.
Depending on the circumstances of the collision, the company’s insurance policy may cover your losses stemming from the crash. Uber and Lyft’s insurance coverage typically exceeds the coverage of an individual driver, so you can potentially recover more compensation for your damages.
We understand that many people do not know what to do after their involvement in an Uber or Lyft accident. That is where we come in. Contact a member of our team at the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C., for answers to your questions.
Reporting a Rideshare Accident
Your first priority after a rideshare accident should be reporting your accident to law enforcement. The police will respond to the accident scene and gather basic information about the collision, such as:
- Identities of involved parties,
- The parties’ status as an Uber or Lyft driver,
- The officers’ impressions of who caused the accident,
- Insurance coverage information for the involved parties, and
- Contact information for the involved parties.
The police officers will compile the information above into a police report to help you prove who was responsible for the accident. If you suffer injuries in the accident, the responding officers will request an ambulance to transport you to the hospital.
When Is Uber or Lyft Involved in the Rideshare Accident Claims Process
Whether the company’s policy applies to your accident is determined based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. If the rideshare app is not open or the driver is not accepting rides, the rideshare company is not involved in the accident claim process. If you get into an accident before you start driving for Uber, your personal insurance policy will cover your losses.
Once the driver turns the rideshare app on and begins accepting passengers, the rideshare company’s insurance policy provides the following coverage up to the following limits:
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage; and
- $25,000 property damage coverage per accident.
Once the rideshare app matches a driver and passenger, the next phase begins. In this phase, a rideshare company’s insurance policy kicks in and covers your losses stemming from the accident. Specifically, these policies cover up to $1 million in damages.
The rideshare company’s insurance also covers any car accidents that happen once the Uber or Lyft driver picks up their passenger and continues throughout the ride.
Reporting an Accident to Uber or Lyft
Once you contact the police and report your car accident, you must report the accident to Uber or Lyft using their car accident claims form. The rideshare company’s claims team will walk you through the claims process and provide you information for their insurance company. You can access the reporting feature on the Uber app by navigating to the Help section of the Driver app, selecting Trip Issues and Adjustments, then clicking I was in a crash. Lyft provides an accident report on its website for drivers and riders to fill out after an accident. You can report a Lyft accident on the app by navigating to the Help tab.
You can upload the accident report responding officers generated containing details about your accident. Additionally, you can provide photographs of the accident itself and your injuries.
Contact an Accident Lawyer to Discuss How to Report Your Uber or Lyft Accident
If you do not report your Uber or Lyft accident, it may be harder to get reimbursed for the financial losses you endured due to your accident. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rideshare accident, contact an attorney as soon as possible.Our team is dedicated to helping clients who suffer injuries in rideshare accidents recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries. If you need to know how to report an Uber or Lyft accident, contact a member of our team at the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C., to discuss your case. Our dedicated rideshare accident attorneys have experience navigating Uber and Lyft accident claims and look forward to helping with your case. Contact our office today to schedule a meeting.
Attorney Ali Yousefi is the founder of Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C., and has distinguished himself as one of the leading lawyers in California. Ali values that his work allows him to make a direct, positive impact on the lives of people who have experienced stressful or traumatic events.
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