How to Handle a Car Accident With a Rideshare Driver (Uber/Lyft)

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have completely overhauled how many of us travel. These services provide a safe alternative to drinking and driving, make it easier to get around in an unfamiliar area, and help you avoid high parking fees. However, a new type of travel also means new types of accidents—and complications for those injured in accidents.

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, it’s time to talk to a lawyer about your next steps. Call Cunningham & Mears to discuss your case with our car accident lawyers.

Immediate actions at the scene

What you do after any accident must prioritize your physical safety. Check yourself and your passengers for obvious injuries—you’ll need to report them when you call in the accident. Call emergency services if there are obvious injuries or serious property damage. If there’s minor property damage or no injuries, you may be able to report the accident to the non-emergency line.

From there, follow the directions of whoever responds to the accident scene. They may tell you to move the cars to the side of the road if they can safely be moved. This ensures that traffic flow isn’t affected and that the risk of secondary accidents is low.

Gather necessary information

Calling the police is an important first step in gathering the information you will need for your injury claim. Find out how to get a copy of the police report after it’s made, and make sure that your side of what happened is included in the report. Tell the police officer who responds that the other driver involved is a rideshare driver, as that may affect what insurance information they get from the other party or what information they gather. Before you leave the scene of the crash, get the other driver’s license plate number, phone number, full name, and any information they can provide you on their rideshare account. They (or the passenger) may provide you with a screenshot of the trip details to make it easier for you to talk to the rideshare company.

Learn more about rideshare insurance

The main difference between standard vehicle accidents and accidents involving rideshare vehicles is insurance coverage. Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance to drivers while they are working, but the level of coverage varies. Coverage is available from the moment a driver marks themselves as available on the rideshare app. There is more coverage available when they are en route to a passenger. Maximum coverage is provided when they are actually completing a trip with a passenger in the vehicle.

Oklahoma state law requires that rideshare drivers (listed as transportation network company drivers) must either have their own insurance coverage that covers their commercial driving activities or coverage through the rideshare company. While most drivers will likely just use the insurance provided by their rideshare company, some may have additional insurance.

Document your ride

If you were the passenger in the rideshare vehicle, you should document your ride and collision immediately. Take screenshots of the ride within the app, making sure to include the driver’s name and rating. At least one screenshot should include the date and time to prove when the accident occurred. Rideshare companies aren’t always in a rush to handle accident claims, and you need as much evidence as possible to hold them accountable for their driver’s mistake.

This, of course, assumes that the rideshare driver is at fault for the crash. If there’s another driver and they caused the collision, you may need to seek compensation through their insurance company. This involves talking to a car accident lawyer, documenting your medical expenses and time away from work, tracking the other losses related to your accident, and fighting for fair compensation.

Explore legal options and seek medical care

Finding the right car accident lawyer for your claim is crucial. You want an attorney who has experience in accidents involving rideshare vehicles, as these claims tend to be more complicated than those solely involving personal vehicles. There are multiple parties involved in these types of claims, and no one wants to be stuck with liability for the accident. Having a lawyer means having an advocate whose only concern is what’s best for you.

Don’t forget the importance of medical care as you deal with the aftermath of your accident. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible after a crash ties your injuries to the accident. It also allows you to start medical care right away, which makes it harder for the insurance company to pretend that their driver had nothing to do with your injuries. Keep copies of every medical report, bill, and treatment recommendation you receive.

Communicate with the rideshare company

Your next stop may be communicating with the rideshare company, but if you have a car accident lawyer, they will handle this aspect of your claim for you. The rideshare company will likely take their own report of what happened, but they may also direct you to the insurance company that they work with. It’s important to treat their insurance company the same way you would treat any other insurance company. That is to say, they are not on your side. Their goal is to limit their own financial losses, and that comes at the expense of your settlement. Having your attorney handle negotiations and, if necessary, your court case can make this entire process much less stressful for you.

Let’s discuss your rideshare accident now

If you’ve been injured in an Oklahoma rideshare accident, don’t wait too long to discuss your case with an attorney. Call Cunningham & Mears today or send us a message online to discuss your case with our team.