4 Steps Uber & Lyft Drivers Should Take After an Accident
If you were involved in a crash while driving for Uber or Lyft, you probably have a lot of questions about your claim. Will the rideshare company’s insurance policy cover the damages? Will I have to pay anything out of pocket? What can I do to strengthen my case?
Fortunately, both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies that cover their drivers when they are on the clock. There are, however, circumstances when this coverage does not apply. And even if you have a valid claim, you can expect the insurance adjuster to search for reasons to dispute liability.
In this blog, we’ll explain a few steps Uber and Lyft drivers can take to increase their chances of filing a successful accident claim:
1. Get the Passenger’s Phone Number
One of the most common mistakes we see rideshare drivers make is failing to write down the passenger’s phone number. Your attorney will need this number when investigating your case. If the passenger’s account of what happened corroborates your own version of events, this can help your lawyer prove liability and avoid a dispute that would delay the proceedings.
2. Gather Evidence at the Scene
Use your smartphone to photograph any damage to the inside and outside of vehicles, injuries, relevant traffic signage, wide-angle shots of the scene, and the road and weather conditions. You should also write down the phone numbers, names, and statements of eyewitnesses. Make note of any surveillance cameras in the area that might have recorded the crash.
3. Disable Your Social Media Profiles
It has become very common for insurance adjusters to look through the social media profiles of claimants for evidence to use against them. If, for example, you post a picture of your injuries or of you participating in strenuous activities, this could bring the severity of your injuries into question. It is best to disable your social media profiles until your case has been resolved.
4. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If the accident has resulted in more than minor property damage, you’ll want to consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A seasoned attorney will be able to answer your questions, file the necessary paperwork, gather evidence, and help you avoid mistakes that might jeopardize your case.
Your lawyer can explain what you should and should not do to give your claim the best possible chance of success. Hiring a lawyer also sends a message to the insurance company that you expect fair treatment, and you have the resources to go to trial if necessary.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Beverly Hills Personal Injury Attorney
Time is of the essence after any Uber or Lyft accident because important evidence might become unavailable. The team at Jalilvand Law is ready to investigate your case and help you navigate the claims process.
Attorney Kamelia Jalilvand will make sure you are treated fairly by the insurance company, and she will aggressively represent your interests at every stage of the proceedings. For a free consultation, call us today at 310.478.5800.
