Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become very popular in recent years. Tap your phone a couple times and a car will show up wherever you are and take you anywhere you want to go. It's super convenient.
With so many rides happening, there are sure to be accidents. What if you're a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and are injured in an accident? Who pays for your medical bills?
Get Medical Treatment
Firstly, the most important thing to do following any injury is to get medical treatment. Even if you don't think you're seriously injured, you should still see a doctor. Often injuries to the body's soft tissue don't seem so bad at the time of the accident, but they get worse later. Failing to get treatment right after the accident can cause you more pain and a longer recovery time.
Call 9-1-1 and an ambulance if you are seriously injured, or get yourself to a medical professional if not. You can worry about who pays for what later. Just get looked at if you think you're injured!
Getting treated is also important because you will need proof of what your injuries are and what it cost to treat them in order to be compensated by an insurance company. In Florida, you have to go to the doctor within two weeks of the accident.
Collect Information
If you're not terribly injured, you should collect any relevant information at the scene of the accident and make sure the police are called. Take pictures of the cars involved and anything you think is relevant. Write down the name, insurance information, and contact information of your driver and the other driver(s). This may be useful to you later when you're trying to file a claim.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Policy
Rideshare companies have insurance policies that cover their drivers and their passengers. You may have your medical bills paid by Uber or Lyft's insurance company or by your driver's insurance company. If it was the other driver's fault, then you may have to make a claim with their insurance company.
Get An Attorney On Your Side
Dealing with insurance companies and trying to get fairly compensated for your injuries can be complicated, especially when it involves being a passenger in an Uber or Lyft. If you're not an expert on filing and negotiating personal injury claims, you should retain an experienced personal injury attorney to help you. They will be able to assist you in getting the best settlement to reimburse you for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Personal injury attorneys don't charge an up-front fee. They charge what's called a contingency fee, which means that they only get paid out of the settlement funds they recover for you.
