Handling the Aftermath of a Ridesharing Auto Accident
Uber and Lyft are popular ride-sharing applications. The companies responsible for these apps hire freelance drivers, which can complicate things in the event of a car accident. However, for the most part, car accident claims and personal injury claims are handled in the same way as they usually are: the at-fault party’s insurance will cover the damages if a claim is successful. When dealing with a rideshare accident, the primary complication is filing a claim as a passenger and not the driver. Therefore, how do you file a claim and receive compensation for your injuries? An auto accident lawyer can help you file the claim.
Determine the At-Fault Party
Before you can file a claim, you need to know who you are filing against. You cannot automatically assume that because you were the passenger in the Uber vehicle that it was that driver’s fault. You also can’t assume that it was the other driver’s fault. Instead, you will need to be patient and wait for a police report to determine the cause. Once the report is filed, you can get a copy from the Secretary of State.
If the Uber driver is responsible, you will file a claim against the company’s commercial Insurance policy. Every rideshare company has to have a minimum of a million-dollar policy, but that policy is only under effect during actual rides, meaning that the driver must claim you as an occupant and rider before the accident occurred. If you are in an Uber vehicle but you are not technically a uber passenger, you will have to file a claim with the driver personally. However, if the other driver was the at-fault party, you can file a claim against their insurer.
Coping with Medical Expenses
Regardless of the at-fault party, a claim takes time to resolve. You may need medical assistance before you have compensation for the accident. If this is the case, you will need to cover your medical expenses on your own. There are several potential ways to do this:
- personal health insurance
- Savings account
- Medicaid or Medicare
- Personal loan
- Attorney lien
Finding a way to cover your medical expenses is crucial, especially to the claims process. You need to prove that your injuries were sustained during the accident, and the best way to do that is to have a paper trail documenting the injuries.
If you were in an accident and would like legal assistance, contact a local auto accident lawyer. Most law offices such as Yearin Law Office will offer a free consultation to discuss your case.