What Should I Do After A Lyft Accident

Currently, there are over 18 million users around the world using the rideshare platform Lyft. If you’re one of their millions of riders, chances are you spend your commute idly scrolling through your phone, reading the latest news articles or solving a particularly tricky crossword puzzle. You trust your driver to transport you to your desired location quickly and effectively. But what happens if something goes wrong?

With the rise of rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber comes the rise of vehicle accidents, especially as demand grows. Since Lyft drivers are encouraged to transport as many people as possible during their shifts, reckless driving could be heightened as drivers attempt to rack up fares and increase profits. If you were injured in an accident with a Lyft driver or vehicle, there are a few immediate steps you should take.

Immediately after the accident occurs, you should check yourself and anyone involved for injuries. If able, call 911 to report the incident and notify medical and police officials about the accident. Additionally, even if you do not appear injured, you should still pay a visit to the emergency room. You may have injuries to your head, back or neck that have not yet appeared. The emergency room will be able to document any of the injuries to involved parties. This information can be used against the at-fault driver if you decide to file a claim.

It’s very important to take care of any injuries immediately after the accident. Once any injured parties are taken care of, you should gather some additional information from the scene of the accident:

  1. Driver’s license numbers from any involved parties
  2. Motor vehicle registration numbers
  3. Insurance information from both the Lyft driver and other drivers involved
  4. Photos of any damages or injuries 
  5. Photos that could potentially prove fault 
  6. Testimonials for witnesses 

Once you have gathered this information, you should contact a car accident attorney to help you determine which party is liable for the damages. Since Lyft drivers are considered “independent contractors,” it becomes harder to file a claim against the rideshare company. If the driver was not currently conducting a Lyft ride, their insurance company is liable for the full amount of the damages. If the driver has turned on the rideshare app and is waiting for a rider to confirm, Lyft will cover the driver up to $175,000 in liability for bodily harm and damages. Once the driver accepts the ride, the coverage policy increases to $1 million in damages to the customer, driver and vehicle.

If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with a Lyft driver, contact a car accident attorney from  PIOLETTI PIOLETTI & NICHOLS. They will be able to accurately identify the liable party, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.