As ride-sharing services continue to be a popular choice for transportation across Southern California, the likelihood of being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in Los Angeles keeps increasing. In some ways, Uber and Lyft crashes are like other auto accidents, but they can be extra complicated for a passenger who chooses to file a personal injury claim. If you are involved in a ride-sharing crash, here are some tips for what to do in the aftermath.
#1: Put safety first
Like any other type of auto accident, the first step is to check to see if everyone is safe. Be sure to check yourself carefully and do not be tempted to downplay your own injuries – pain often intensifies for the first 48 hours after a crash.
#2: Report the accident to the authorities
Call the police and, if there is any sign of an injury, the paramedics. Do not be tempted to skip making a police report, even if the Uber or Lyft driver wants to skip this step. You will be much better off if there is an official record of the accident.
#3: Gather information
Like any other crash, you should exchange contact and insurance information with the others involved in the accident. Also try to obtain:
- Names and contact information of any witnesses
- Notes on the vehicles involved, including license plate numbers, make, model, and color
- Pictures of the vehicles, accident site, and even shots including people at the scene
#4: Seek medical attention
If you are immediately injured, head to the ER. But even if you think you are not injured, make a visit to your doctor as soon as possible. Many injuries caused by car crashes are not immediately known, but the earlier you address it, the better your outlook will be. Also, spotting an injury quickly makes it easier to prove that it was caused by the accident rather than something else.
#5: Speak with a lawyer
Your driver should report the accident to the ride-sharing company, but if they do not, someone needs to do that on your behalf. Let your lawyer do that; once you have a lawyer representing you, the Uber or Lyft insurance company will need to communicate with your lawyer instead of hassling you directly.
Your lawyer will also take care of things like sending letters informing the ride-share company and other potential parties that they must preserve all evidence for potential litigation. He or she can also help you determine whether you need to make insurance claims to anyone other than the ride sharing company’s insurer.
Protect your rights after a ride-sharing accident
Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft accidents are the wave of the future. The popularity of the services is growing, and so is the number of accidents involving ride-sharing vehicles. But the skilled Los Angeles car accident attorneys of the Salamati Law Firm understand the issues involved, helping those injured in Lyft and Uber accidents obtain full recovery.
Read More on Uber and Lyft accidents:
Additional resources for Lyft and Uber accidents in L.A.:
- Inc.com, Ride Sharing Is Convenient. But What Happens If There’s an Accident?, https://www.inc.com/john-white/ride-sharing-is-convenient-but-what-happens-if-there-is-an-accident.html
- Nerdwallet, Should You Worry About an Accident With an Uber or Lyft Driver?, https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/should-you-worry-about-an-accident-with-an-uber-or-lyft-driver/
