Rideshare services are incredibly convenient, offering passengers an easy, affordable way to get from place to place around town without the difficulties associated with hailing a taxi. Unfortunately, they’re not always safe, though. Find out what to do after an Uber or Lyft accident in Naples, FL, so you can be prepared for the worst should you get into a crash while riding in a rideshare car.
Steps to Take Immediately After the Accident
What you do after any car accident can make a big difference when it comes to your health and safety, and those of your legal claim. You’ll want to take the same steps following an Uber or Lyft accident that you would after a regular car crash, with a few key differences. You should:
- Check to make sure everyone is okay. Find out if anyone involved in the crash sustained severe injuries. If they did, you should request emergency medical services when you call 911. If the other passengers or drivers involved have not suffered back or neck injuries, you can help them move to safety away from the flow of traffic.
- Report the crash. Call 911 to request a police officer at the scene. The officer can conduct a thorough investigation, interviewing those involved and taking down notes about things like road and weather conditions and nearby street signs.
- Talk to the driver. Get the rideshare driver’s information, whether you were a passenger in their car or the driver of another vehicle. You’ll want to know not just their license number and contact information but also whether the driver had the app on, whether they were waiting for a ride request, and whether there was a customer in the car if you were in another vehicle during the accident.
- Take photos. Take photographs of the scene, including the damage to the vehicles, any skid marks on the road, and road conditions that could have contributed to the accident. You can also take photos of your injuries before getting them treated, as they might be useful evidence later in your case.
- Talk to witnesses. If there were any witnesses to the crash, talk to them. Find out what they saw and get contact information written down. Your lawyer may want to interview witnesses later as part of the evidence-gathering process.
- Seek medical attention. You should head to a local medical facility like NCH North Hospital at 11190 Health Park Blvd to get fully evaluated as soon as possible after the crash. You’ll need to prove that your injuries occurred as a result of the accident, not something else, and an immediate medical exam is the ideal way to do that.
- Report the crash. You have to report the crash to the rideshare company and, if you were driving another car, contact your insurance company. You should stick to the facts when reporting what happened and should not speculate as to what caused the accident.
- Hire a lawyer. Arguably, the most important thing you can do in the immediate aftermath of a rideshare accident is hire a lawyer. You should always speak with an attorney before accepting a settlement from the rideshare company’s insurance.
At the scene of the accident, avoid admitting fault by apologizing to other drivers or downplaying the severity of your rideshare accident injuries by telling them you are fine. You’ve just been in a serious accident, and you should do everything possible to protect your rideshare accident claim in Naples, FL.
Your Next Steps
While you’re working with an attorney to resolve your rideshare accident case, you should stay off social media and avoid talking about the accident with anyone but your lawyer. Insurance adjusters can and do check people’s social media accounts for evidence that they were not as badly injured in their accidents as they claimed, so even posting pictures from a dinner out or a comment about being OK following the crash can be used against you.
What to Expect From Your Rideshare Accident Claim
Uber carries a $1,000,000 bodily injury and property damage liability policy that covers accidents that occur while rideshare drivers have passengers in their cars, as does Lyft. However, this coverage applies only when drivers have their apps on and have passengers in their cars. When the app is on, and a driver is awaiting a passenger, the liability coverage is limited to $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.
You shouldn’t assume that because the coverage limits are so high, you’ll automatically get a massive payout. Your Naples rideshare accident attorney can give you a clear idea of what to expect in terms of settlement amount, but it can vary depending on the severity of your injuries.
Filing a civil claim against a rideshare service is a complicated matter because these companies often argue that riders give up their right to file claims when they accept the terms of service to use Uber or Lyft. Both of these companies require riders to resolve legal disputes through arbitration. Of course, drivers of other cars have signed no such agreements. Whether you were a passenger or another driver, you can benefit from working with a skilled rideshare attorney.
Rideshare and Accident Statistics in Florida
There were 994 car crashes in Naples in 2023, some of which doubtless involved rideshare drivers. Across the country, ⅓ of rideshare drivers have been involved in crashes while working, yet 20% of Americans use ride-hailing apps occasionally, and 6% are frequent users. Most of them probably don’t ever stop to consider what would happen after an accident involving a rideshare driver, but these crashes happen.
How an Attorney Can Help You
Working with a rideshare accident attorney is the most effective way to protect your rights and interests throughout the legal process of filing a claim against an Uber or Lyft driver. Your attorney can help you:
- Avoid common mistakes
- File paperwork and keep track of deadlines
- Determine liability
- Reconstruct the accident
- Collect evidence to support your claim
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Litigate your case, should it become necessary to go to court
If you want fair compensation without too much added stress, work with a rideshare accident lawyer who can help you make sure every aspect of the claim-filing process goes smoothly. That way, you can focus on healing from your accident while your attorney takes care of all the legwork on your rideshare accident case.
FAQs
What Is the 3-Accident Rule in Florida?
The 3-accident rule in Florida requires drivers who have gotten into three accidents in three years caused by traffic offenses to attend an approved driver improvement course to maintain their driving privileges.
Drivers must complete four hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed commercial driving school in addition to a 12-hour approved FLHSMV course and must pass an extended road test with a driver license examiner. Failure to complete the requirements within 90 days results in license cancellation.
What Happens if an Uber Driver Gets in an Accident While Carrying a Passenger?
If an Uber driver gets in an accident while carrying a passenger, the ride-sharing company’s liability policy kicks in and pays for any damages incurred. Uber carries a $1 million insurance policy for bodily injury and property damage.
To improve your chances of being compensated, you should seek medical attention immediately, document the scene, and report the accident to Uber via the app as soon as possible. A Naples rideshare accident attorney can then help you file your claim.
How Much Is a Lyft Accident Settlement Worth?
How much a Lyft accident settlement is worth depends on the specifics of the crash. If you sustained catastrophic, life-altering injuries, you’ll receive more compensation than someone who suffered only a broken bone or another minor injury requiring minimal medical intervention.
How much your settlement is worth may also vary depending on your lawyer’s skill in negotiating with insurance companies. You should never attempt to engage in negotiations alone without the help of an attorney.
What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Company After an Accident?
You should not admit fault to an insurance company after an accident, nor should you downplay the severity of your injuries. Even seemingly innocuous statements such as saying, “I’m fine” when they ask how you are doing can be construed as admissions that your injuries are not as bad as you initially said they were, so you should be very careful when speaking with insurance adjusters. Let your lawyer handle as many of these interactions as possible.
Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you can hire a rideshare accident lawyer to help you with all aspects of filing your claim. The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., is here to help. Lead attorney Justin P. Caldarone is a trial lawyer with over 10 years of experience known for providing aggressive representation and client-centered services. You can contact the firm online to schedule your initial consultation today.
