Lyft has a legal obligation to provide their customers with a safe ride. When you get in a Lyft or any other ridesharing service car, they must do everything possible to ensure your safety isn’t compromised.
It’s a given that accidents happen every single day. And while most Lyft drivers try to ensure safety when driving you from your pick-up point to the final destination, an accident can happen in a split second and turn a person’s life upside down. Some accidents are relatively minor and may only cause property damage.
Sure, no one can see an accident coming even if it’s bound to happen at any time. But when it does, here’s how to go about it as a passenger.
Protect Evidence At The Scene
This is probably the most important thing you can do as a passenger in a Lyft accident.
When getting compensation for your injury, it’s essential to document everything. This will help you win a claim and get paid what’s owed.
Important information to gather includes:
- The date and time of the accident
- Occupants’ contact information
- The driver’s name, email address, and telephone number
- Witnesses’ names and contact information
You should also consider taking photos of the accident site with your phone as soon as you can. In case you’re badly injured, ask someone at the scene to help you take pictures. The photos of your injuries will show how much they have affected your life.
Remember to keep copies of your medical expenses as evidence of your injuries after the Lyft accident. This will be crucial to your attorney when filing for compensation.
Get Medical Attention
Receiving medical treatment is one of the essential steps in getting your life back to normal after a Lyft accident, regardless of how minor it may seem. When you visit your doctor, make sure to explain all of your symptoms.
Be honest with your doctor, but do not exaggerate. While at it, ask your doctor if you can return to work with the injuries or wait to recover first.
Report The Accident
Lyft requires their drivers to report any accidents while driving for the company. Likewise, if you’ve been hurt in an accident involving a Lyft vehicle, it’s crucial to notify them about the accident as soon as possible.
You can report the accident on the “rate your ride” feature. It’s also vital that you contact the police and file an official accident report.
Contact An Attorney
If you feel like you’ve been wronged in any way during your Lyft ride, contacting a personal injury lawyer should be your next course of action. They can help assess the situation and determine if you have a case against the ridesharing company.
How to Get Compensation After An Accident
Being an Uber or Lyft passenger comes with its own set of risks, but if you’re injured in an accident while riding in one of their cars, you may be entitled to compensation. Lyft provides up to $1 million per accident under their insurance plans, with $50,000 per person for personal injury.
However, if you’re injured, and the driver is at fault, they may be held liable for your damages. This could include lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, and more. If another driver caused your Lyft accident, then it’s best to file a claim through that driver’s liability insurance policy.
Additionally, it’s essential to speak with an attorney about your case. They will help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve. Some factors that will be taken into account when determining how much compensation you receive include:
- The severity of your injuries
- How long it will take you to recover from your injuries
- Whether or not you were able to return to work
- The number of medical bills you have incurred
Before taking any step, take time to decide if you need to hire a personal injury attorney or if you can handle your claim. It’s worth noting that an experienced attorney best handles a serious injury claim while a layperson can take a minor injury claim.
Most legal experts offer free consultations, so getting personalized and professional legal advice is free.
If you opt to proceed independently, you must build a strong injury claim. This way, you’ll have well-organized evidence documenting the accident’s impact on your life and the scope of injuries.