What Happens After a Lyft Accident? 6 Things a Passenger Should Do

In the United States, the rise in popularity of ride-sharing services like Lyft has increased traffic deaths by 3%, which equals about 1,100 deaths each year. While they provide many benefits to users, it is important that you are properly protected in the event of a Lyft accident.

One way that you can get properly compensated after a Lyft accident is by hiring a Lyft accident lawyer. Do you want to learn more about the next steps you need to take after a rideshare accident?

Keep reading this article for the top six steps you should take after being involved in an accident.

1. Call 9-1-1

Immediately after moving off of a busy road after you have been in an accident, you must call 9-1-1. You can report that you were a passenger in a Lyft accident so that the officers know what to expect when they arrive at the scene.

When you give this information, it will also be recorded in the call to 9-1-1, which can be helpful if you file a claim. Your law enforcement agency will help you gather important information, file an official police report, and more.

It is also legally required to report an accident if the accident resulted in an injury or death, or if the vehicle is no longer able to be driven safely.

The police will arrive at the scene and can get official statements from everyone else that is involved in the accident. Having this official police report will help you prove that you were not at fault in the Lyft accident and will help you through the process of getting compensated.

2. Get Medical Attention

After calling the police, it is also important that you get immediate medical attention. Even if you don’t feel like you have severe symptoms, it’s vital to get checked by your doctor or by paramedics.

This is because your symptoms can often worsen over time. You may not even realize that you have injuries until days after your accident. If you want the responsible party to help with your medical bills, it is important that you identify potential injuries immediately.

Otherwise, they may be able to claim that you were not truly injured in the accident. If you are planning on filing a Lyft accident claim, getting medical attention will help you get compensated fairly for your injuries.

When you are sitting in the back seat of a Lyft, you may deal with injuries like whiplash or head injuries from hitting the back of the front seat.

3. Report the Accident to Lyft

Next, you must report an accident or collision with Lyft online. This way, you can connect with the Lyft claims customer care team to get help after your accident.

When you report this accident to Lyft, you can gather important information, like your Lyft driver’s name, contact details, as well as their insurance information.

If there was another car involved in the collision, you can also get their names and contact information for your Lyft claim.

4. Gather Evidence

After talking with the other people that were involved in the accident with your Lyft driver, you should gather as much information about the accident as possible. This is especially important if you are going to file a personal injury claim.

You can take photos of the scene to document everything that happened. For example, these photos can show exactly how much damage your vehicle sustained in the accident. It can also capture other situational evidence which may have been a factor in the accident.

In many cases, Lyft drivers will also have dash cams. These cameras can record the details of the case and might be beneficial if you need to prove which party was at fault.

The police will also create a thorough report of all the evidence at the scene, so you can request a copy of their report to aid in your case.

5. Hire an Attorney

If you are involved in a Lyft accident, you may be wondering, “Do I need a lawyer?”.

Hiring a Lyft accident lawyer immediately after a rideshare accident will be your best chance of getting fairly compensated for your bills and other damages. Most attorneys will even offer free consultations for potential clients.

This way, you can learn more about the process without committing to working with them. Often, attorneys will even work on a contingency fee basis for these types of personal injury cases. This means that you will not have to pay any legal fees until you win your settlement.

By hiring a lawyer to help you with your rideshare accident, they can guide you in every step of the process and will ensure that you are compensated fairly.

6. File a Lyft Accident Claim

Finally, you and your lawyer can work together to file a Lyft accident claim. This will help you get a settlement for your accident.

Often, the insurance companies that rideshares use will try to give you as little money as possible. These limited insurance payouts may not be enough to cover your injuries, wages lost at work, or any other damages.

Getting a Lyft accident settlement can help you cover all the expenses and damages that resulted from your accident. This may include medical bills, bills for your vehicle repair, and even emotional damages.

If you need help filing a Lyft accident claim, Alpha Accident Lawyers can help.

Need a Lyft Accident Attorney?

When you are involved in a Lyft accident, as a passenger or as another driver, it is important that you take proactive steps immediately following your accident. By following these six tips, you can strengthen your Lyft accident case to get the compensation you deserve.

Are you looking for a Lyft accident attorney? At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we provide expert legal advice for car accidents, rideshare accidents, and more.

Contact our attorneys to learn more about our services and to get a free consultation with a legal expert.