Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft allow you to find a ride practically anywhere at any time. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen. As a passenger, you need to know what your rights are if you are involved in a rideshare accident.
Your Rights as a Rideshare Passenger
As a rideshare passenger, you are entitled to safe transportation to your destination. Your driver is expected to operate their vehicle safely and responsibly. If there is an accident due to the driver’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Depending on the situation, you may be able to file a claim against the rideshare service’s insurance policy. The company’s insurance policy generally covers you when you are in the vehicle, but some policies provide limited coverage when you’ve accepted a ride and are waiting for your driver. Once you’ve exited the vehicle after reaching your destination, you are no longer covered by the company’s insurance.
What to Do if You Are in a Rideshare Accident
If your Uber or Lyft is involved in an accident, your top priority is to seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Not all injuries sustained in a car accident will present symptoms right away, so make sure that any injuries you have or may have sustained are documented and treated.
Your next priority will be to document everything related to the accident. Take photos, video, write down your account of what happened, and gather information from witnesses. Do not rely solely on your memory. Memories are notoriously unreliable, especially for someone who was just involved in a potentially serious accident.
Once you’re sure everyone involved in the accident is safe and you’ve documented everything you can, contact a lawyer who understands rideshare liability. Rideshare accident cases can be tricky due to the multiple parties involved. The rideshare company’s insurance policy will usually cover you while you’re in the vehicle, but that usually isn’t the case when you’re no longer a passenger. If something happens after you’ve exited the vehicle and the driver is at fault, their personal insurance will be in play.
While rideshare services are endlessly convenient if you can’t drive or don’t want to drive, you’re still a passenger in a vehicle on a potentially dangerous road. Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, so make sure that you know your rights and that you receive proper compensation should anything happen to you.
