Rideshare apps have gone from a novel form of transportation to an indispensable part of life in North Carolina. They connect rural and suburban residents with opportunities and are the backbone of many commutes. But as rideshare trips take up more space on North Carolina roads, the more likely they are to be involved in accidents.
The rideshare injury claim process can be more complex than a traffic accident claim between two drivers on personal trips. But immediately after an accident, one thing is always the same—your health comes first. Once you’re sure you and any other passengers are safe, protecting your rights is the next major concern.
The very first concern if you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident is your health. After you’re certain you’re healthy, protecting your rights in an accident should be your next highest priority. The moments immediately after an accident are some of the most important for both catching and treating injuries and creating a record of how your injuries occurred in the first place.
If you were a passenger in the rear seat of the rideshare, there’s an increased risk of injuries. Rear seat passengers are more likely to have head and abdominal injuries than drivers and front seat passengers. These injuries might not be easily detectable after a rideshare accident because they may take days to develop into noticeable pain. Even EMS might not recognize the signs of these injuries, so be sure to follow up with a primary care physician or hospital after the accident.
If your condition is stable and you are physically able to do so, collect the contact information of everyone involved in the accident. This includes the driver of the Uber or Lyft, other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and eyewitnesses. This information may prove useful to an Uber accident attorney later, as they need to collect statements and piece together what happened.
If you are a passenger, be sure to get the name of your rideshare driver, as this is the information needed to request the police report. The Uber or Lyft app may not always keep this information easily accessible, so it’s best to collect it at the scene. You should also take a photo of the vehicle’s license plate, make, and model. The more details you gather, the faster your attorney can request records and begin building your case.
Another important way to protect your Uber or Lyft passenger injury rights is through documentation. This includes evidence of the accident itself as well as the injury and damage the accident caused. Photos and videos help a rideshare accident lawyer recreate the moments before an accident to determine who the liable party is.
Equally important are documents relating to the accident’s aftermath. This includes medical bills, travel costs to and from hospitals, days away from work, and other costs associated with the accident and your injuries. These documents form the foundation of what can be recovered in a rideshare injury claim.
The rideshare injury claim process can be complex because of the multiple parties and insurance companies involved. Complicating matters further is the fact that none of these companies have your best interest at heart. Instead of leaving your recovery in the hands of insurers and rideshare companies, learn about your Lyft passenger injury rights in a free consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer.
With representation working for you, you can get prepared for the process ahead and avoid common pitfalls. An Uber accident attorney can help you navigate conversations with claim adjusters that can quickly trap unwitting victims into low-ball settlements.
Beyond the initial conversations with insurance companies, a trusted rideshare accident lawyer can provide you with the knowledge and determined advocacy you need to heal and move forward. As they work with you through the rideshare injury claim process, they should explain key laws and their impact on your case.
In North Carolina, G.S. § 20-280.4 requires rideshare drivers to have varying levels of insurance depending on whether they’re actively engaged in providing services. When they’re logged in but don’t have an active ride, they must have $50,000 in liability coverage for death or injury for a single person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. However, this rises to a $1,000,000 combined limit when there’s an active ride.
A seasoned rideshare accident lawyer will use the evidence to determine which limit applies and which insurer should cover the costs. It’s possible that the driver and rideshare company both have policies, neither of which will want to reimburse the injured victim.
An experienced rideshare attorney can also look for evidence that the rideshare driver, company, or another driver was negligent. A rideshare company may be negligent if they fail to comply with the safety standards set out in G.S. § 20-280.5. These measures are meant to ensure that customers have accurate information regarding their drivers and that the vehicles are fit for the road. If the vehicle wasn’t safe to drive and there wasn’t an inspection, that might point to a negligent rideshare driver or company.
These regulations also only require companies to store data about a ride for one year. That means injured victims who don’t file claims as soon as they can, find that the rideshare company no longer has a record of the ride that caused the accident. Contact a trusted rideshare attorney today to avoid losing this valuable information.
A rideshare accident can leave injuries, confusion, and chaos in its wake. Everywhere you turn for help—you find an insurer or rideshare company looking the other way. Don’t feel pressured to settle for their half-measures. Get the justice you deserve with a rideshare accident lawyer from The Downer Law Firm at your side. Our record of personalized representation and maximum compensation for our clients has made us a trusted firm in North Carolina. Contact us today for a free consultation.
