Lyft Driver Hit My Car (What To Do Next?)

In addition to the liability insurance the firms offer, Uber and Lyft mandate that drivers carry personal auto insurance. This is so because there are some circumstances where a Lyft Driver Hit My Car. The process is as follows:

Lyft Driver Hit My Car

Period 0: The Uber/Lyft Driver Is Liable

When an Uber or Lyft driver strikes your car when their respective apps are inactive, the driver is not regarded as being at work. Damages will therefore be paid for by their auto insurance provider.

However, regardless of who was blamed, you can also submit a claim under your auto insurance policy, provided you have collision coverage. Your insurer will then seek after the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Period 1: The Rideshare Driver And Uber Or Lyft Is Liable

The driver’s insurance and Uber or Lyft’s “contingent” liability coverage will apply if the driver impacted you when they were available for rides, had their Uber or Lyft app open, but had not yet accepted a ride.

Only if the driver was at fault and their motor insurance did not cover the crash will Uber and Lyft’s contingent coverage take effect. The contingent coverage will provide up to $50,000 in benefits for each accident victim, $100,000 in total benefits for each accident, and $25,000 in benefits for property damage.

Periods 2 And 3: Uber Or Lyft Is Liable

When a rideshare driver has a passenger or accepts a trip, Uber or Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy covers an accident until the rider quits the car. Uber and Lyft hire independent contractors rather than employees to minimize liability for accidents.

As a result, when an Uber or Lyft driver crashes your car, it might be difficult to determine which insurance policy to submit a claim under. Make sure to speak with a San Diego ridesharing accident lawyer who can assist you in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to.

What Should I Do Immediately Following A Collision?

Frequently, the scene of a collision brought on by a rideshare driver resembles that of any other traffic accident. If your injuries permit, start gathering proof to back up your claim. Getting information from all involved drivers and witnesses, documenting what transpired, and taking pictures are a few actions you can take.

If feasible, find out if the rideshare driver was paired with a rider or had a rider in the car when the crash occurred. This information determines which primary insurance policy you will file under.

The Importance Of Medical Assessment And Care

Your health and well-being must come first following any collision. Allow paramedics to examine you if they arrive at the scene of your crash. If they advise you to visit the emergency room, you should. Your insurance claim may cover the cost of the ambulance travel and the emergency assessment.

Consider visiting your doctor or another doctor for an evaluation following the accident if you do not obtain emergency room care. You should take care of any small cuts and scrapes, document your status, and ensure you have no serious injuries.

What To Do At The Scene Of An Uber Or Lyft Accident?

You should take a few actions at the scene to protect your legal rights and gather information that could be used in a claim or lawsuit.

Call The Police

A police report will assist when you are ready to seek compensation from the other motorist, even if the collision was minor and your car suffered very little damage. Drivers are required under RS 32:398 to notify the local police, sheriff, or state police of any significant accidents that cause an injury, a death, or more than $500 in property damage.

Take Photographs Of The Accident Scene

Take pictures of the situation and the damage to your automobile using your phone or any other handy camera. You might only recall some details of what transpired later. Photographic evidence might be used to reconstruct the accident or stand alone as solid proof.

Exchange Information With The Uber Or Lyft Driver

Obtain the name, address, ridesharing details, and personal insurance information of the Uber or Lyft driver. Depending on whether they were online, actively driving for Uber or Lyft, or available for service determines whether the driver is covered by personal insurance or Uber or Lyft.

Who Pays If You’re Hit By An Uber Or Lyft Driver?

When filing an automobile accident claim, you must establish who was at blame for the collision and the harm (or “damages”) that resulted from it. Typically, the at-fault driver or that driver’s insurance provider is accountable (liable) for covering your accident-related costs, including medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.

The situation becomes slightly more complicated when a rideshare driver is involved in an accident. While a car is being utilized for commercial purposes, accidents are typically not covered by auto insurance coverage.

Therefore, a driver’s insurance won’t cover a rideshare accident unless they have an expensive commercial policy or a ridesharing “endorsement” (available in a few states).

Fortunately, in response to this unfavourable scenario, Uber and Lyft now provide liability insurance to their drivers as soon as they open their apps and are accessible to accept ride requests. It’s possible that drivers must first submit claims to their own insurance companies.

Therefore, if an Uber or Lyft driver hits you or you sustain injuries while a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, those companies may be liable for your vehicle accident injuries. You can get support from a lawyer to determine who is answerable for paying for your damages and losses. You can make claims against Uber or Lyft as well as the personal insurance of your ridesharing driver.

Can I Sue Uber Or Lyft?

Legislators and courts are still figuring out the legal ramifications of Uber and Lyft, including how much the businesses are liable for the conduct of their drivers, which changed the transportation sector.

If a rideshare driver strikes you, you should probably file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft because they have considerably more financial resources than the typical rideshare driver, Uber and Lyft.

However, ridesharing businesses frequently utilize the fact that their drivers are independent contractors as a defence in court. While a business is frequently not liable for an independent contractor’s driving, an employer can be held responsible for an employee’s driving.

Your greatest option for obtaining reimbursement following a rideshare accident is to attempt to use both your driver’s insurance and Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance. You must demonstrate that your driver was at least substantially to blame for the collision.

You may use Uber or Lyft if your insurance claim is rejected or underpaid. But be ready for the business to assert that you waived your legal recourse when you agreed to the ridesharing service’s terms and conditions.

Both businesses demand that almost all legal problems between drivers and passengers and the business be settled through arbitration. If a rideshare driver has sexually harassed or abused you, you can file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft.

Conclusion

Although millions of people use Uber or Lyft daily, the rideshare sector is still very young, and the legal landscape constantly evolves. Speak to a lawyer if a Lyft Driver Hit My Car. A lawyer can administer you in deciding if Uber or Lyft can be sued and settling an insurance claim. Injury claims for ridesharing are complicated.

Frequently Asked Questions