Rideshare companies transformed transportation, disrupting the taxi business and simplifying the process for getting from one place to another. But because drivers are independent contractors for the rideshare company, this service also created loads of questions about accident fault, claims processes for injury victims and left passengers with little coverage in case something happened.
We’ve come a long way in the last decade with rideshare insurance and clarity about liability during rideshare trips. So if you’ve been injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, know that you have legal protections and with the right steps, you can recover fully from such an accident.
Step-By-Step Directions for Uber and Lyft Passengers After an Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident as an Uber or Lyft passenger, you’ll follow a similar process as you would if you were another driver involved in a collision with a vehicle.
Here’s a look at what you should do immediately following an accident.
- Evaluate yourself. Give yourself a few minutes to calm down and then think through how you’re feeling. Be very honest and if you don’t feel right, contact 911 for an ambulance immediately.
- If your injuries are not pressing, you can stay on the scene and work with emergency personnel.
- Collect information from your driver and report your accident within the rideshare app. Your driver should be doing the same thing to document that your ride was not completed as contracted due to an accident. You should also get the driver’s personal insurance information just in case something happens with the rideshare insurance claim process.
- Take photos. While you certainly hope that the rideshare’s insurance company will do their part and pay your claim, you need evidence that shows what happened. Your driver might not be at fault for the accident, which could mean you work with a third-party insurance company.
- Talk to an attorney as soon as possible. You might not need to hire an attorney just yet, but seeking counsel through a free consultation can help arm you with the necessary information to avoid common pitfalls when working through insurance claims.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Policy Limits
Rideshare passengers should have ample coverage through Uber or Lyft’s commercial insurance policies. When a driver is active in the app and driving a passenger to their destination, the following insurance coverage applies.
- $1 million in third-party liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the rideshare driver’s car with a $2,500 deductible
You must never ask the rideshare driver to take you to a location that is different from what you contracted for in the app. If you do, it could mean you’re left without coverage as an Uber or Lyft passenger because the driver is no longer working for you commercially.
Uber and Lyft accidents tend to be more complicated than standard car accidents. You’ll face added challenges of answering questions from the commercial insurance company and possible pitfalls in the insurance claims process.
Learn More With a Free Consultation
Before opening your claim with Uber or Lyft, schedule a free consultation with Stewart & Stewart. We’ve represented many rideshare accident victims and know how to navigate the process to ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries and the inconvenience of everything you’ve been through.
Our consultations are completely obligation-free, which means you don’t have to hire us if you prefer to navigate the process on your own.