You can order an Uber, Lyft or other ridesharing service by pressing a button on your smartphone. But before you go to grab your next ride, make sure to do some research in case of an accident. Since most people are likely unsure of what happens if you get into a car accident while in an Uber or Lyft, we will share some important information about what to do immediately below.
The ridesharing industry is growing rapidly. Uber claims that it has 91 million monthly active users, 3.9 million drivers and 14 million trips each day. Lyft follows closely behind with its numbers. These services are intended to provide customers with a reliable and safe method of transportation. However, there are many riders and drivers on the roads, so accidents can happen.
TechCrunch reports that Uber's safety report has a lower fatal accident rate than the national average. However, it doesn't account for all accidents. It is important to know what to expect in the event of an accident, and who is responsible for your injuries if you are hurt.
What do you do when you're involved in an Uber/Lyft accident?
- Find out who is to blame.
- If you're a rideshare customer and the driver is at fault, then your rideshare's insurance will cover you up to $1,000,000 for bodily injury.
- If you are a rideshare driver and there is a collision with your rideshare, the at-fault driver's policy will cover the driver. The rideshare insurance will also provide coverage for underinsured motorists up to $1,000,000
- A collision between a rideshare driver and you occurs when your car is being driven by a rideshare operator. The rideshare driver is covered for $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident for death or bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage starts the moment the rideshare driver logs in to the app. The driver can be insured up to $1,000,000 if they accept a ride/have a passenger in their vehicle.
If you find yourself in a rideshare accident, be sure to head over to a nearby ER or urgent care center to get checked out. Although it is comforting to know rideshares will cover at least some of these expenses, you should know what to do and consider your own insurance for medical payments (Medpay). Medpay will pay the medical bills for injuries sustained in an accident. Medpay will reimburse the insured for the amount they and their health insurance paid.
Medpay is an optional benefit that you can get if you have insurance. However, it will cover your co-pays and deductibles when you visit hospitals or use emergency services. Although Medpay coverage is not mandatory and not available in all states, it is highly recommended. You can get a lot of benefits from it in the event of a rideshare accident and you won't have to deal with paying out of pocket for any medical bills.
Remember that accidents can happen, so next time you use your smartphone to request Uber, Lyft or another rideshare service, don't forget about them. If you find yourself in such a situation, make sure to be smart and safe, seek medical attention immediately even if you don't feel anything unusual, as sometimes there is a delay in car accident symptoms in which if you wait too long, you will lose your right to be compensated.
Contact Beharry Law if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service. You will see the benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer when we help you navigate the process of filing a lawsuit against a rideshare company.
