What happens after an accident involving an Uber or Lyft Driver?

• July 13, 2017
• Car Accidents
• Personal Injury Law

Car accidents can be confusing and challenging to sort out, but getting in a car accident involving a driver for a ride-sharing company like Uber or Lyft (either as a passenger, or driver of another vehicle) can add additional confusion to the situation.  The good news is that your task immediately after the accident is the same:  If you are able, document the accident with photos (of the vehicle damage, any injuries, and the surrounding roadway/intersection), talk to and get contact info for witnesses, and obtain the medical care you need, making sure to follow your MD’s orders throughout your treatment.    It is always wise to speak with an Asheville Personal Injury Attorney, to help determine the best course of action, and to ensure that you’re treated fairly by an insurance company.

After an accident with a ride-sharing driver, be sure to collect the following information:

1. Their name and telephone number,
2. Their insurance info,
3. Any other drivers contact and insurance info,
4. Any witnesses name, address, and phone number

Often, a driver who admitted fault to you at the accident scene will change their position after they speak with their insurance company or that company’s attorneys.   Even when liability is plainly clear, drivers will often deny responsibility once they’ve had a chance to think about what that could mean for them. This is why it’s always handy to have your smartphone ready to record video, in case something is said that you will want to reference later.  

Uber requires its drivers to establish competency, and to submit to a background check before they can drive for the company. It is not uncommon for Uber to restrict a driver once there has been an accident filed involving them, on the clock.  This is another reason why an Uber driver might deny responsibility, knowing that it may cost them their job if they are found to be at fault.   

Remember that insurance companies are mainly after one thing:  getting out of paying for a claim.  If their driver calls them and says “it wasn’t my fault”, they have a vested interest in believing them and taking this position, as a way to minimize risk on their behalf.    If they have to throw you under the proverbial bus in order to do so, you can bet that they will.

With the rise of ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft in Asheville, there are more and more drivers for these companies on the roads every day.    If you have been in an accident involving an Uber driver, get a free consultation with an Asheville Personal Injury Lawyer to help you develop a strategy moving forward.  Often, our firm will advise a client on how to settle their claim on their own, if the claim is straightforward enough and the insurance company is being reasonable.  

If you have questions about a car accident or other personal injury case, contact us today by phone or email, and we would be happy to answer your questions.