Who Was at Fault?
The first step in determining who you need to make a claim against is figuring out who was at fault in the accident. As a passenger, you know that you did not cause the accident. Was it your Uber or Lyft driver? Or was it the driver of the other vehicle?
Unfortunately, it’s rarely easy for passengers to figure out who caused the accident. You weren’t driving, so you likely weren’t paying attention. As a result, you are going to have to rely on what your driver claims, what the other driver says, and what other witnesses may have seen. You may have to rely on the police report, which can be incomplete. It’s also important to recognize that any other reports filed by the drivers with their respective insurance companies may be self-serving in an attempt to avoid liability.
If Your Uber or Lyft Driver Was at Fault
If your driver caused the accident, then you will have to pursue a claim against them. Fortunately, rideshare drivers are required by law to carry insurance that will provide coverage to any injured parties in the event of an accident. However, insurance coverage in a ridesharing accident is more complicated than it is in accidents involving only private vehicles.
Ridesharing drivers are required to carry their own insurance just like any other driver. In addition, Uber and Lyft both provide insurance coverage for their drivers. Which policy provides coverage will depend on when the accident occurred. For passengers, the situation is fairly straight-forward – Uber and Lyft will provide up to $1,000,000 of coverage for bodily injury.
If the Other Driver Was at Fault
If the other driver was at fault, then you would pursue a claim against that driver’s insurance policy for your injuries. Again, this could be a challenge is the other driver claims that your driver was at fault. In addition to proving the other driver was at fault, you will need to prove that you were injured and the value of your claim.
Injured in a Ridesharing Accident? Contact Slappey & Sadd Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Ridesharing accidents are complicated. The ridesharing accident lawyers at Slappey & Sadd help people in the Atlanta area get the compensation they need. If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Call us at 888-474-9616 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.