What Happens if an Uber or Lyft Driver Hits You?

A car accident is a nightmare no matter the circumstances. But when an Uber or Lyft driver hits you, it adds a layer of complication to the situation. That’s because the party responsible for paying for the damage to your vehicle will vary based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.

Regardless of whether the driver is inactive on the app, active in the app but does not have a passenger in the vehicle or is transporting a passenger, you need to gather evidence and details at the accident scene to the best of your abilities.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Driver Hits You

The most important thing you can do after any accident is to make sure you’re in a safe place. Then, take some deep breaths to calm down and clear your head as much as possible. Try to remain calm and level-headed throughout the process of collecting evidence and the other driver’s information.

Steps following a rideshare accident: 

1. Call 911 to get law enforcement and, if needed, paramedics on the scene.
2. If you see an Uber or Lyft sticker on the car, ask the driver for their current status. Even if you see another person in the vehicle, you cannot assume that’s a paying passenger. It could be the driver’s friend or a family member traveling with them off the clock. Knowing whether they were actively logged in as a driver will impact how you handle the situation. If they have decals for multiple rideshare companies, be sure you know which company they were driving for at the time of the accident.
3. Gather the driver’s information. You should collect their personal information and insurance data as well as their information as a commercial driver. That way if Uber or Lyft give you a hard time about paying for the accident, you have the details necessary for a claim with the driver’s personal insurance provider.
4. Take photos and videos of the accident scene. Capture images of the vehicles, intersection, roadway, and more. You should take more photos than you think you’ll need because you never know what might be relevant.

What You Should NOT Do After an Uber or Lyft Driver Hits You

Now that you know what to do after an Uber or Lyft driver hits you, here are a few things you should not do:

1. Answer non-essential questions at the accident scene. You don’t want to accidentally claim responsibility for the crash or say something that will harm your ability to pursue a lawsuit against the Uber or Lyft driver.
2. State that you broke the law in any way, such as speeding, distracted driving, drinking and driving, etc. 
3. Lose your cool with anyone at the accident scene. You don’t want to give anyone a reason to target you as the driver who made mistakes. Do your best to comply with law enforcement while avoiding nonessential questions or speculation.
4. Assume you know the responsible insurance company or exactly how the claim will work. Accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers are far more complicated than standard car accidents. Seek legal counsel as soon as possible to avoid common mistakes in handling these accidents.

Once you’ve collected the necessary information at the accident scene and made it back home, you should find a good Virginia car accident attorney to learn about next steps. 

Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers With Decades of Experience

Geoff McDonald & Associates has experience dealing with Uber and Lyft accidents. Schedule your free consultation now to protect your rights following these complicated accidents.