More and more people are turning to ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft in Virginia, using the ridesharing apps instead of hailing a taxi. Many passengers find it much more convenient to just log onto an app to obtain a ride and have payments automatically deducted from their credit cards.
More users mean more of a demand for drivers and more vehicles on the road. And more vehicles, unfortunately, means more accidents. Knowing what steps to take in the event you are injured in an accident caused by a ridesharing driver can help provide your Virginia Beach car accident attorney with evidence that can help with your injury claim.
Document the Crash Site
Victims of a crash should obtain the contact and vehicle information of the Uber or Lyft driver, including their insurance information. They should also take photographs of the crash site, making sure to capture any vehicle or other property damage, landmarks, skid marks, and any other items that could be relevant. If the victim was not a passenger in the ridesharing vehicle (i.e. another driver or pedestrian), they should obtain the names and contact information of any passengers in the ridesharing vehicle. They may be able to provide additional information about the driver and what he or she was doing leading up to the crash.
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Seek Medical Attention
Even if a victim does not think they have been hurt in the crash, it is important to get checked out by a doctor to determine if there are injuries. It is not uncommon for there to be a delay in symptoms for many types of car accident injuries, including concussions, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries. Failure to seek out medical attention right away can result in serious health issues.
Failure to seek out medical treatment right away can also have an impact on the car accident claim the victim may file because it may be harder to prove the injuries occurred in the crash.
Contact a Virginia Ridesharing Accident Attorney
Ridesharing accident injury claims can be complex because of the policies that companies like Uber and Lyft have in place regarding how accident claims are covered:
- If a ridesharing driver was responsible for the crash, had no passengers in the vehicle, and did not have their driver app on and was not available, then claims can only be filed against his or her insurance policy.
- If a ridesharing driver was responsible for a motor vehicle accident, had no passengers in the vehicle, but they were logged into the driver app and available, then claims can only be filed against both the ridesharing corporate insurance and the driver’s insurance.
- If a ridesharing driver was responsible for a motor vehicle accident, had passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash, then the ridesharing corporate insurance is responsible for covering the damages for all claims filed in the accident.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by another party, contact a Virginia personal injury attorney to find out what legal options you may have. At Shapiro & Appleton, we are dedicated to helping injured clients obtain the compensation they deserve for their medical bills, lost income, and other losses their injuries have caused. Call 757-578-1079 for a free case evaluation.