Ridesharing accidents are becoming more common as ridesharing itself increases in popularity across the nation, mostly in dense, urban cities. If you were hurt in a ridesharing accident, you may be able to bring forward a lawsuit. Here’s what you should know.

You’ve Been In a Ridesharing Accident — What Do You Do First?

If you’ve been involved in a ridesharing accident, there are some important steps you should take, although they don’t differ much from what you would normally do in any motor vehicle collision. You need to:

• Call emergency responders if people in either vehicle involved in the collision were hurt.
• Call law enforcement to report the accident if no people were injured.
• Take a screenshot of the ride receipt on the ridesharing app, and if possible, take photos of the accident.
• Ask for the contact information of any witnesses who were present when the accident happened so they can make a statement.
• Obtain a professional medical evaluation, even if you feel okay after the accident.

On the scene, a ridesharing accident doesn’t differ much from any other crash. However, what you do next in terms of insurance and compensation is usually very dissimilar.

Ridesharing Insurance 101

Uber and Lyft are the most well known (and used) ridesharing companies in the U.S. They have identical insurance coverage, which changes depending on the working status of the driver. For example, the coverage is not the same when drivers are offline as when they are active en route or on a trip. If en route or on a trip, liability coverage is $1 million. If available, liability coverage is 100k/50k/25k for total damages, bodily injury, and property damage. When a driver isn’t logged into the ridesharing app, they are not covered under the company insurance policy at all — their personal policy triggers instead.

Your Right to Compensation

You may be eligible for compensation if the driver was negligent or careless and it’s determined if this directly caused or contributed to the ridesharing accident. Discuss with a lawyer your case to find out if you can bring a lawsuit forward against the driver, the company, or both.

Call a Skilled Car Accident Attorney

Hurt in a ridesharing accident? Don’t hesitate to get legal help as soon as possible. We can help you bring a case against the party or parties responsible for your injuries and will fight for you to receive the maximum amount of compensation available in your case. Call now for a consultation at (706) 515-1995.