Over the past few years, the number of ridesharing drivers has increased. Uber and Lyft cars are commonly seen on roadways around South Carolina. However, with the increase in rideshare drivers has come an increase in car accidents.
If you are hit by an Uber driver, who would you turn to? You can turn to a trusted rideshare accident lawyer in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. West Law Firm has a long record of dealing with accident cases involving an Uber driver.
What Should You Do If You Are Hit By an Uber Driver?
Alert the authorities
The first thing you should do is to call 911. This alerts the police that an accident has happened, as well as alerting emergency medical services to respond should you or someone with you be injured.
Make sure that you obtain a copy of the report afterwards, which can be obtained by an attorney.
Take pictures, if able
If you have a cell phone or camera, take pictures of the accident area, if possible. Make sure to include pictures of damage to your vehicle, as well as images of the surrounding scene, such as tire marks, debris from the accident, or conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Get medical care
It is important that you or a loved one receive proper medical treatment. This ensures that injuries are documented as close to the accident as possible. It protects against the risk of an insurance company claiming that the injuries aren’t connected to the crash. Aggravated injuries that weren’t treated promptly will not only reduce your chances of receiving damages, but may lengthen your recovery period.
Record driver and witness details
Obtain contact information from the Uber driver. Include their name, license plate number, driver’s license number, and vehicle information. Ask about both their individual insurance information, and information regarding Uber’s insurance coverage. If there are witnesses, including any passengers in the Uber, make sure to obtain contact information for them as well.
Report the accident to Uber
Finally, you can report the accident to Uber itself. The Uber website has a page (inquiries.uber.com) where you can contact them to verify if a driver was working for Uber at the time, and to notify Uber of an accident involving one of their drivers. You should only give a brief description of the accident. Your lawyers will be able to draft a more detailed statement in their demand letter.
Tell your insurance company
Notify your insurance company as soon after the accident as you can. They should be able to provide assistance to you throughout the claims and recovery process, but do not speak to them in detail about the circumstances of the accident until the following step.
Contact an attorney
A rideshare accident attorney will have case-specific advice you may need to protect your claim and deal with both your insurer and Uber’s attempts to reduce what you are owed.
Are There Different Levels of Insurance If You Are Hit by an Uber Driver?
If an Uber driver hit you, it is important to verify that the driver was in fact working for Uber at the time of the accident. If the driver was not active on the app at the time of the accident, only the driver’s personal insurance applies. In addition, some drivers drive for more than one rideshare service, so they may be active on a different platform at the time.
If you are hit by a driver that is only seeking a fare or otherwise active but not carrying passengers, Uber provides some coverage, but not as much as if the driver was on an actual call. Uber’s insurance can pay up to $50,000 for each injured person (with a limit of $100,000 in bodily injury per accident), as well as $25,000 in property damage per accident.
If the driver’s personal coverage is used up, the above limits may apply instead.
If you are hit by an Uber driver who is carrying a passenger, Uber’s insurance will pay up to one million dollars in personal and property damage for any covered accident.
What Should I Do If Uber Suggests Arbitration?
Like many businesses, Uber has sought to force legal cases against them into arbitration, where a third party decides what damages will be recovered.
Arbitration has several advantages and disadvantages. It can be quicker than a lawsuit, and can be cheaper than a trial. The arbitrator must be agreed on by both parties. Both parties are encouraged to work together to obtain an outcome. However, an arbitration does not need to follow the same rules of evidence or rely on the same evidence as a courtroom. There are no appeals in an arbitration case.
You and your lawyer should discuss arbitration and its pros and cons before you commit to accepting an arbitration offer.
Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Moncks Corner
If you or someone you love was hit by an Uber driver, you may have concerns about who will pay for any damages you have suffered. However, a good lawyer will be able to address your concerns and guide you through the process. West Law Firm in Moncks Corner, South Carolina has a long track record of dealing with multiple parties in a crash. We are able to apply our litigation experience to challenging cases like Uber accident claims. Call or contact us today.