What to Do If the Lyft or Uber You’re Riding in Is Involved in an Accident

By Christopher Hoffmann  May. 22, 2020 10:48a

Ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber may be convenient, but they’re not always the safest method of transportation. In fact, it’s been estimated that cities with rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have had a 2-3% increase in the number of crashes and accidents, compared to the rates before ridesharing became common.

So what should you do if you’re riding in a Lyft or Uber in St. Louis and it gets in an accident? Do you need to contact a Lyft accident lawyer or an Uber accident lawyer in St. Louis? Who pays for medical bills and other costs?

When You Ride In An Uber Or Lyft, You’re Generally Covered By a $1 Million In Liability Coverage

Uber and Lyft have a unique insurance system that divides coverage into “periods,” as seen below:

• Period 0 – This refers to Lyft or Uber drivers who are not logged into the app, but are still driving. They are not covered by any insurance from Uber or Lyft, but they may be covered by their personal insurance policy.

• Period 1 – If a driver is logged into the Uber or Lyft app but has not scheduled a pickup, they are covered with liability coverage for $50,000 per person, up to $100,000 per accident.

• Period 2 – Once the Lyft or Uber driver schedules your pickup, their liability coverage increases to $1 million per accident.

• Period 3 – When you’re in the car, the driver is covered by a $1 million liability policy, as well as uninsured motorist coverage and limited coverage for their vehicle

What this means is that whenever you ride in a Lyft or Uber, you are generally covered by a $1 million liability policy. If you are injured due to an accident when riding in a Lyft or Uber, you can generally recover damages from the insurance company.

What To Do After Your Lyft Or Uber Is In An Accident – Your Quick Guide

If you’re injured in a Lyft or Uber accident, here’s what you need to do.

• Call 911 – Contact the police to come to the scene immediately so that they can file a report, and get help from emergency services if you are severely injured.

• Report the incident to Uber or Lyft – There is an option to report a crash to Uber or Lyft. Do this as soon as you can to create a record of the incident.

• Document the crash and your injuries –Take photos and videos of your injuries and take photos and videos of the accident site, if possible, so that you can have a record of what happened to you during the accident.

• Get information from the Lyft or Uber driver – You will need to get the contact information of your driver, including information about their personal car insurance policy.

• Get contact information from eyewitnesses – Eyewitness accounts can help you build a case with the help of a St. Louis Uber accident lawyer or St. Louis Lyft accident lawyer, so get contact information from eyewitnesses, if possible

• Contact A St. Louis Uber or Lyft accident lawyer – A lawyer can help you negotiate a settlement against the driver’s insurance policy, or pursue further legal action like a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary.

Don’t Go It Alone – Speak With a St. Louis Lyft Or Uber Accident Lawyer To Get Compensation!

If you’ve been injured as an Uber or Lyft passenger, the process of getting compensation may be confusing and difficult. However, with the help of a St. Louis Uber or Lyft accident lawyer, you can navigate the complexities of your case more easily, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.