What to Do Following An Accident in Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft are popular ridesharing services that have fundamentally changed the landscape of public transportation. It’s difficult to remember when we didn’t have these convenient services as alternative options to driving. 

While ridesharing is convenient and has undoubtedly reduced the number of impaired drivers, they are not without risk. As with any other driver, Uber and Lyft drivers have the potential to get in accidents while they have passengers. If you are a passenger in a ridesharing vehicle involved in an accident, you must take the appropriate steps in the immediate aftermath. 

Involvement in automobile accidents of any kind is a stressful and often painful experience, regardless of the severity of the accident. Still, an accident in a ridesharing vehicle comes with added steps and considerations. If you’ve been injured in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, there are several issues to address. For starters, be aware that if you have been involved in an accident of any kind in Florida, a Florida accident lawyer at Searcy Denney can help.

What Do the Services Do if I’m a Passenger in a Ridesharing Accident?

If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be wondering what you should do next.  If you were injured, you may have medical expenses, loss of work, or other damages for which you need to be compensated. 

Uber and Lyft are not entirely clear about what you should do, maybe because they’re hoping you’ll just give up and go away. They do, however, instruct their drivers to always call 911, make sure all of the passengers are okay, and get medical attention for everyone who needs it. 

Both Uber and Lyft are certainly interested in keeping customers loyal. Lyft, in particular, does have a “Trust and Safety Team,” which is supposed to reach out to passengers after an accident with insurance information and attempts to manage the public relations crisis.

To manage their public relations, both companies have to deal with not only their passengers’ safety but also their drivers and the occupants of other vehicles. Their websites enable riders a contact point in case of an accident, but they are not always entirely clear about exactly what you should do after an accident. 

What Should I Do if I’m a Passenger in a Ridesharing Accident?

Your best bet is to contact a Florida accident lawyer at Searcy Denney to handle your case for you. Other than that, there are several things you can do to protect yourself and provide your lawyers with valuable evidence for your case. Mainly, this involves gathering important information from the scene of the accident, but a relatively comprehensive list of what you should do includes:

• Report the accident to local law enforcement, even if the driver is resistant.
• Check for injuries. Call 911 if anybody is hurt.
• Get your ridesharing driver’s contact information, such as the name, address, and phone number, some of which may be available in the app.
• Get the personal insurance information for your ridesharing driver.
• Get any insurance information you can get regarding the ridesharing company’s own insurance.
• Get the other driver’s contact information, such as the name, address, and phone number.
• Get the other driver’s insurance information.
• Get all vehicle information, such as the registration number, make, model, and license plate numbers, for any vehicles involved.
• Get names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses.
• Take pictures and/or video and notes regarding any injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident site in general.
• Seek medical treatment.
• Don’t sign anything.
• Don’t call your insurance company until you have spoken with a Florida accident lawyer at Searcy Denney.

Let a Florida Accident Lawyer Help if You Have Been Involved in a Ridesharing Accident

Both Uber and Lyft are convenient transportation options and your best choice if you are impaired. Nonetheless, if you have suffered injuries resulting from a ridesharing accident, contact a Florida accident lawyer at Searcy Denney for help. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis.