What to Do If You’re Injured in a Rideshare Accident
Around 30% of the U.S. population uses rideshare services frequently or occasionally, and even with the significant growth rideshare companies have seen in recent years, that number is expected to continue growing. While rideshare services like Uber and Lyft offer convenient transportation options for millions of people every year, there are certain risks and complications that riders should be aware of.
When a rideshare driver is involved in a car accident, the process that injured accident victims are required to go through to obtain compensation is often fraught with obstacles and complexities. Having an attorney you can trust is invaluable after a rideshare accident in Chicago, so contact The CP Law Group to discuss your case.
First Steps After a Rideshare Accident
The steps you should take immediately following any accident are similar, and seeking medical attention is the first priority. Whether you are a pedestrian, rideshare passenger, or driver in another vehicle, getting medical treatment for your injuries should be the first step to ensure you have the best possible chance at recovery. This is true even if you do not have any symptoms, because some injuries take hours or even days to become symptomatic.
Other steps that are important after a rideshare accident include:
· Contacting the police to report the accident
· Gathering and preserving evidence, such as police reports and video footage
· Getting contact information for eyewitnesses
· Going to all medical appointments and following doctors’ orders
If you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle, you should also report the accident to the company. It’s important that you don’t share too much information during this step to avoid jeopardizing your injury claim in any way. You may want to consider speaking with an attorney before making any reports of the accident to Uber or Lyft.
Why Rideshare Accidents are Typically More Complicated
The biggest complication during the accident claim process is knowing which insurance policy may cover the damages. If the driver’s rideshare app was off at the time of the accident, their personal insurance policy would apply. If the app was on but the driver was waiting to receive a ride request, the rideshare company’s insurance would apply with lower limits. In this situation, the coverage is typically up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and as much as $25,000 for property damage. If the rideshare driver was transporting a passenger or on their way to pick up a passenger, the company’s full commercial policy would apply with liability limits up to $1 million.
Contacting an Attorney After a Chicago Rideshare Accident
Another step that is crucial to the outcome of your accident claim is contacting an attorney. You should be able to focus on physical and emotional recovery after a crash, and having an experienced attorney handling your injury claim helps you dedicate your time and energy to healing. Contact The CP Law Group today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago rideshare accident lawyer. You can call us at 844-546-4878 (that’s 844-5-IM-HURT) or reach out on social media @TheCPLawGroup.