What Should I Do After a Lyft or Uber Accident? Many people rely on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft to get around easily and conveniently. However, drivers for these services can be hired in a short period of time with no prior experience, and often have to drive to areas with which they are not familiar. Even experienced drivers are still human and prone to error, or they may be the victim of another driver’s negligence. In any case, car accidents are inevitable and utilizing rideshare services comes with certain risks. If you have been in a rideshare accident it may be confusing trying to determine how to move forward. It can be complicated trying to determine which party’s insurance to contact, who is responsible, and if you are even entitled to coverage. The best thing to do is to contact an Ohio personal injury attorney and let them handle it while you focus on your recovery.
If you were injured in a vehicle collision with an Uber or Lyft driver, there are a number of ways in which you may be entitled to compensation. First, if you are a driver for Lyft or Uber who is involved in an accident while working, you can file an insurance claim for any injuries suffered. What insurance will pay depends on whether you or another party were liable for causing the crash, but in either case you have access to coverage.
Uber and Lyft drivers are also required to maintain extensive insurance coverage for any passengers who may be traveling in their car. If you are a passenger in a Lyft or Uber and are involved in a collision, you may have a claim against the rideshare driver’s insurance as well as the other driver. Likewise, if you are in a vehicle struck due to a rideshare driver’s negligence or fault, you can file a claim against them. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and E-scooter drivers hit by Uber or Lyft drivers can also bring claims against them. A personal injury attorney can thoroughly review the facts of your case to determine any and all liable parties and then develop a legal strategy to hold them accountable and pursue the maximum amount of legal compensation for your injuries.
It can be completely overwhelming to navigate the aftermath of an accident. In fact, you may find yourself in a state of shock or unable to move. Here is a checklist to follow after a car accident in the event that you are physically able to do so:
Insurance agents may seem friendly, but they are predatory by nature. Insurance agents work for insurance companies, and insurance companies would probably go out of business if they gave everyone a fair settlement. Instead, they try to get everyone to accept the lowest possible settlement.
Insurance agents know a lot of tricks to get you to accept a lower settlement than you are owed. For instance, they often act like there is a sense of urgency, and tell you that you only have a limited period of time after an accident. While it is true that there is a time limit on claims, it is not a particularly short one, and it certainly leaves you enough time to consult with an attorney. Insurance claims adjusters want you to accept an offer as soon as possible after the car accident because they know you will not yet have had time to get an accurate or comprehensive idea of your medical injuries or the cost of recovering from them long-term.
Insurance agents are also good at tricking you into making small talk that may seem innocent, but can be used out of context to deprive you of coverage or mitigate your recovery. In short, it is best to sidestep all possible pitfalls and allow a lawyer to negotiate for you. Most insurance companies offer a higher settlement right off the bat if a lawyer’s name is attached to your claim because they want to avoid costly litigation if possible.
One of the best ways to strengthen your rideshare accident claim in Ohio is to keep a journal after the accident, carefully logging the effects that the accident and injuries have had on your daily life. This is important to track because it can have a significant impact on the amount of damages that you are ultimately awarded. In this journal, make sure to date it, and record symptoms, pain level, doctor’s appointments, costs incurred related to your injuries, and any impacts that the injury had on your life that day. For instance, you would record money you spent on prescription pain pills, the co-pay for physical therapy, the fact that you were unable to go to work, and any other information relevant to the injury.
Rideshare accidents are increasingly common. There are many injuries that can occur as a result of Uber and Lyft accidents. Some of the most common injuries experienced in Ohio rideshare accidents are listed below:
Whether or not you have experienced an injury on this list, it is important to seek medical attention. Some injuries, such as soft tissue injuries or whiplash, may take several days to feel the physical effects, however, they can cause symptoms that last for months or even become chronic. If you have any indication of pain or discomfort be sure to report it to the police and the doctor so that it becomes a documented part of your claim. Many people do not want to say anything about minor aches and pains at the scene because they assume they are just sore and will get better, but the reality is that most of the time these pains only get worse as the adrenaline rush comes down.
The value of your Uber, Lyft, or rideshare accident claim depends on a number of factors, including the severity and permanence of your injuries, as well as the total amount of financial damage caused by your injuries. You are entitled to economic damages as well as damages for pain and suffering. Economic damages cover things like medical bills, costs related with medications, treatments, surgeries, in-home care, and transportation to and from medical appointments. Economic damages also include lost wages or reduced earning potential if you were unable to work due to your injury, or if your injury will keep you from returning to a job at the same pay rate you were earning previously.
Pain and suffering damages are generally calculated by taking the full amount of your economic damages and multiplying them by a factor that corresponds to the severity and permanence of your injury. The more debilitating and permanent your injury, the higher the multiplier will be. In some cases additional damages, or even punitive damages, may be available. Because there are so many factors involved, the best way to get an accurate idea of your claim’s total value is to consult with a personal injury attorney who can provide an estimate based on information specific to your case.
In many cases, people accept settlements that are far too low because they were not aware of certain categories of damages that they were entitled to. For instance, many people are aware that they can be reimbursed for medical expenses that they have already incurred, but may not know that they should factor in the cost of all future anticipated care. Not knowing this one fact could cost them millions of dollars in damages, so it’s always a good idea to get experienced eyes on your claim before considering any offers or attempting to DIY your claim.
There are many benefits to having a lawyer’s help when dealing with an Uber, Lyft, or rideshare accident. The biggest benefit being the recovery. As noted above, law firms often offer higher initial settlements to claimants represented by an attorney because they know the threat of litigation is looming and it is less costly to offer a higher settlement than it is to go to court. Having a lawyer is a great way to get on the same level as the insurance companies and make sure that you are not being taken advantage of.
If you have experienced serious injuries in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident in Ohio and are struggling to get the compensation that you are entitled to, the experienced personal injury and rideshare accident attorneys at the Law Firm of Kruger & Hodges want to hear from you. We are ready to fight to get you the support, benefits, and compensation that you deserve. Contact the Law Firm of Kruger & Hodges today to schedule a consultation.
