Accident in Lyft

Sustaining injuries after an accident in Lyft or even Uber is increasingly common, leaving victims feeling hopeless and confused. If you were in a rideshare accident, you may be eligible for compensation. 

However, time-sensitive steps must be taken for a successful outcome. Here’s an in-depth guide on what to do following an Uber or Lyft accident.

1. Get to Safety

Car accidents happen within seconds with no time to mentally brace for impact. Therefore, after one occurs, it’s difficult to remain calm. This is understandable.

To the best of your ability, take some time to calm down and collect your thoughts. Then, inspect yourself for injuries. After you’ve made sure that you’re physically able, carefully get out of the car, and move to a safe location on the side of the road. 

Stay on the side of the road and call 911 right away. Request officer and medical responders, and inform if there are other parties involved that need help.

Do not try to move the vehicle and stay away from oncoming traffic. Keeping the vehicle put will help explain how the accident in Lyft occurred. Law enforcement will also have more evidence to work with during the investigation. These details will be included in the police report, which will work to your benefit in your personal injury case.

2. Tend to Your Injuries

The sudden jerk of the impact can cause injuries ranging from cuts to fractures to head injuries. Once an ambulance arrives at the accident scene, make sure that you are examined by an EMT–regardless of how minor your injuries appear to be. Medical professionals will do all they can to treat you at the scene. However, an ambulance can take you to the ER if necessary.

Many victims compromise their personal injury cases by not seeing a doctor after a collision. While there is not an exact time frame to be examined for injury, it should be done as soon as possible. Otherwise, the defendant’s insurance and attorneys will question why you did not seek treatment sooner or if you were actually injured. Then, they can reduce the settlement offer or reject the claim. 

Your health and safety is the most important aspect of this process. Therefore, make sure to get treated as soon as possible. In addition, stay up to date with the treatment plan and go to all follow-up appointments.

3. Remain Calm and Do as Instructed

Rideshare cases are one of the more complex auto-related accidents to determine fault in. This is due to multiple parties being involved: passanger(s), contracted driver, the employers (Lyft or Uber), and other motorists.

Adrenaline and anger may cause all parties involved to be confrontational at the accident scene. However, it’s important to remove yourself from the situation. The less that is said or shared will help your personal injury claim.

Remain amicable with all other parties and, when your time comes, share your side of the story with a police officer. This will help them fill out an accurate police report, which you and your attorney can use as evidence later on.

The police report will take in all the factors of the crash such as:

• Information was given by you, the drivers, and other witnesses of the crash
• The current weather conditions
• Where the car accident took place
• The date and time
• The vehicles that were involved
• Information on the drivers

4. Gather Evidence of Your Own

While your rideshare accident attorney can help you build evidence for your case, you can strengthen yours by proactively gathering evidence at the scene. Start by talking with any present witnesses and get a statement of what they saw. Then, take note of their names and phone numbers. 

It’s also a good idea to write down everything you can recall from the accident as soon as possible:

• Where the accident in Lyft occurred (street name, at an intersection, at a stop sign, etc.)
• The date and time
• What the driver was doing at the moment the crash occurred
• Weather conditions and road conditions
• Anything that was said from all involved parties, like admitting fault
• Your current physical and mental state 

In addition, take photos and videos. Incorporate as many relevant details as possible. This should include damage to the vehicles, license plates, and the injuries you sustained.

5. Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney

Consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Consulting with a lawyer is not the same as hiring one. This is beneficial and you assume no risks, as you will be given free legal advice and clarity on how to proceed with your claim.

However, should you choose to hire a law firm, there are many benefits to working with an experienced and knowledgeable attorney. You’ll be able to tell the lawyer your side of the story, as well as any other details that can help paint a better picture. 

They will take over all communication and negotiations with the defendant’s attorneys and insurance adjusters. Your chances of recovering a maximized settlement also increase. 

Rideshare crashes are complicated because both the contracted driver’s personal car insurance provider and Lyft’s liability insurance provider must be contacted. Therefore, you are essentially battling two separate companies, and neither will want to pay out what is owed. Your rideshare attorney will know exactly how to approach the situation and who is responsible for your injuries.

What to Do After an Accident in Lyft

An overview of what to do after a rideshare crash is valuable. However, if you still have questions, please, contact us at Alpha Accident Lawyers.

Our law firm strives to provide our clients with the highest level of legal representation after being involved in an accident in Lyft or Uber. We offer a free consultation and can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.