How to File a Claim Against Uber or Lyft After an Accident

How to File a Claim Against Uber or Lyft After an Accident

If you’ve been involved in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft, it can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Dealing with injuries, repairs, and medical bills can be a lot to handle. However, it’s important to know that you have the right to seek compensation for your damages.

To file a claim against Uber or Lyft after an accident, it is advisable to contact an attorney near you who is skilled in personal injury or rideshare accidents. They can guide you through the process, help you gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out for the support you need during this difficult time. Contact a San Diego Uber or Lyft accident attorney near you today.

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Rideshare Services Have Led to More Accidents

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in recent years. With the convenience of requesting a ride from your phone and the promise of a safe and reliable driver, many people rely on these services to get around.

However, accidents can still happen. One study found that “ride-hailing can be associated with increased incidence of road traffic crashes.” Uber and Lyft collisions are even more likely to happen because of:

• Driver distraction: Using the Uber or Lyft app for navigation or accepting new ride requests is one type of distraction that can directly cause a wreck.
• Fatigue: Long hours on the road leading to slower reaction times can make a driver fatigued and, therefore, more likely to cause a crash.
• Speeding: Rideshare drivers may be in a rush to complete more rides and increase earnings and may speed to fulfill that goal.
• Sudden stops or illegal U-turns: Such erratic driving is a clear and present accident hazard.
• Inexperienced drivers: Though driving for money, rideshare drivers may lack professional training or familiarity with routes.
• Poor vehicle maintenance: Worn brakes, faulty lights, or other mechanical failures are a serious concern in ride-sharing vehicles.

These are just some of the many potential causes of rideshare collisions. Your rideshare accident attorney will determine who caused your crash and who is now responsible for your accident-related damages.

You may now be experiencing the cost of rideshare collisions firsthand. If so, allow an attorney to make your life far easier. They will handle your case so you can handle your recovery.

Once You Hire a Lawyer, They Will Handle All the Remaining Steps in Your Case

Your lawyer will immediately begin working towards a favorable resolution by:

• Gathering Evidence: Your attorney will collect as much evidence as possible, including photos of the accident scene, damage to your vehicle, and any visible injuries. If there were any witnesses, they will gather their accounts.
• Notifying Uber or Lyft: Your attorney will report the accident to Uber or Lyft, possibly through their respective apps or websites. If necessary, your lawyer will contact the rideshare company directly by phone.
• Being Mindful of Deadlines: Your lawyer will file your claim within the statutory deadlines. Missing such a deadline may result in your claim being dismissed.
• Giving You Frequent Guidance: Your attorney will guide you through the process and contact you regularly throughout your case.
• Documenting Your Expenses: Your attorney will keep track of all the expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost income. This documentation will be vitally important when seeking compensation.

Stay in touch with your rideshare accident attorney throughout the case. They will keep you informed about the progress of your case and any critical updates. Be sure to communicate any new information or developments to your attorney promptly.

How a Lawyer Can Help with a Case Against Uber or Lyft

You already have an idea of how your lawyer will help after the accident, but there’s more to discuss.

Filing a claim against Uber or Lyft can be complicated due to these companies’ multi-layered insurance policies and corporate legal teams. An experienced lawyer will help you navigate the process, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

Some of the most critical duties your lawyer will handle are:

Determining Liability and Evaluating Insurance Coverage

One of the biggest challenges in a rideshare accident is identifying which insurance policies apply to your accident. Your Uber or Lyft accident lawyer will:

• Investigate whether the Uber or Lyft driver was actively using the app at the time of the accident.
• Determine if the rideshare company’s insurance or the driver’s personal policy should cover your claim.
• Prove liability by gathering evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports.

Uber and Lyft both provide insurance to their contracted drivers. Your lawyer will determine if filing a claim through a rideshare company’s insurer is right for you.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Rideshare companies and their insurers often try to minimize payouts for claimants.

• Handle all communications and negotiations with insurance adjusters
• Reject lowball settlement offers and fight for full compensation
• Present strong medical evidence and expert testimony to support your claim

Negotiating and dealing with insurers are familiar responsibilities for rideshare accident lawyers. Lean on their experience during this high-stakes juncture in your life.

Filing and Resolving a Lawsuit if Necessary

A lawsuit is one option you and your lawyer will consider. If necessary, your attorney will:

• File a personal injury lawsuit against Uber, Lyft, or the responsible party
• Complete all pre-trial proceedings
• Represent you in court 
• Fight to ensure you recover compensation for medical bills and all other damages

Let a lawyer advocate for you. You deserve that.

If You File a Claim Against Uber or Lyft, Having a Lawyer on Your Side Will Be Crucially Important

After being involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft, it’s crucial to seek legal representation because of:

Insurers’ Bad-Faith Tactics

Insurance companies often prioritize profits over policyholders, sometimes engaging in bad-faith tactics to reduce or deny claims. Here are some of the most common strategies they use:

• Delaying the Claims Process: Taking excessive time to investigate or process a claim, hoping the claimant will give up.
• Denying Valid Claims: Rejecting legitimate claims without a reasonable explanation.
• Offering Lowball Settlements: Proposing an unreasonably low payout, expecting the claimant to accept less than they deserve.
• Misrepresenting Policy Terms: Twisting or misinterpreting coverage details to avoid paying out.
• Requesting Unnecessary Documentation: Repeatedly asking for excessive paperwork to delay or frustrate the claimant.
• Blaming the Victim: Claiming the policyholder was at fault to reduce liability.
• Ignoring Communication: Failing to respond to phone calls or emails in a timely manner.
• Threatening Policy Cancellation: Using intimidation tactics to discourage claimants from pursuing their cases.
• Forcing Lengthy Litigation: Dragging out legal battles to pressure victims into settling for less.

Many accident victims think insurers will do the right thing because their policies dictate they should. It is not always the case. Just because a policy entitles you to compensation does not mean liable insurers will hand that compensation over without a fight.

Uber or Lyft’s Resources

Uber and Lyft are Goliath companies with ample resources. These companies use those resources to fight claims, and you may have to contend with:

• High-Powered Legal Teams: Uber and Lyft have teams of corporate attorneys who defend against accident claims and lawsuits.
• Multi-Layered Insurance Policies: Rideshare companies use complex insurance structures to shift liability onto drivers or other parties.
• Aggressive Insurance Adjusters: Their insurers are skilled at reducing settlements and disputing injury claims.
• Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs): Uber or Lyft’s insurer may require you to see a doctor of their choice to downplay injuries.
• Intrusive Surveillance: These companies may even monitor social media, public activity, or past claims to find inconsistencies in your case.
• Complex App Data and Ride Logs: Uber and Lyft may try to use trip history, GPS tracking, and driver status logs to dispute accident details.
• Delaying Tactics: They may drag out the claims process, hoping victims accept lower settlements out of frustration.

Your rideshare accident lawyer will not be intimidated or persuaded by Uber or Lyft’s defensive tactics.

The Potential That You’ll Need to Sue

If you sue Uber, Lyft, or any other liable parties, you should know that:

• Lawsuits require strict deadlines, extensive paperwork, and adherence to court procedures.
• Pre-trial motions, depositions, and discovery can be overwhelming for plaintiffs unfamiliar with the legal system.
• An attorney’s litigation history will be priceless.

It’s always wise to have the option of suing. Hiring a lawyer gives you that option.

The Need to Prove Long-Term Damages

Your rideshare accident attorney will demonstrate the full extent of injuries, lost income, and emotional suffering, and they may need expert testimony to do so.

Your law firm will spare no expense in proving your damages or handling other aspects of your case.

Recoverable Damages in Your Uber or Lyft Accident Case

Allow your lawyer to pursue fair compensation for all of your accident-related damages, which may include:

• Medical costs, including all expenses related to your diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation  
• Lost income, including compensation for income you’ve missed while recovering from the accident
• Damage to property, including the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal items damaged in the collision
• Physical pain, emotional distress, and all other types of pain and suffering resulting from the accident

Your lawyer will also seek wrongful death compensation if you’ve lost a loved one. These damages are for families who lose a loved one in a rideshare accident and can cover funeral costs, loss of income, and emotional suffering.

How Contingency Fees Allow You to Hire a Lawyer Immediately After Your Rideshare Accident

In Uber or Lyft accident cases, most rideshare accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay any upfront fees. Instead, the lawyer’s fee is contingent on the successful resolution of your case. Here’s how it works:

• You don’t pay anything initially. The lawyer only gets paid if you win your case or settle with the insurance company.
• If your case is successful, the lawyer will take a percentage of the final amount you receive. This percentage typically ranges from 33 percent to 40 percent of the total compensation, depending on the case’s complexity and whether it goes to trial.
• You don’t owe your lawyer fees if you don’t receive a settlement or win in court. However, you may still be responsible for some out-of-pocket expenses related to your case (such as court filing fees or expert witness fees).
• Legal expenses (e.g., expert witness fees and filing costs) are sometimes deducted from the final settlement or award. Some lawyers cover these costs upfront, while others may ask you to cover them as they arise.

Contingency fees provide financial relief for clients who may not have the means to pay hourly legal fees. This setup also ensures the rideshare accident lawyer has a vested interest in maximizing your compensation since their fee depends on your success.

Hire Your Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible 

Do not wait any longer to hire your San Diego personal injury lawyer. Your case will require a significant time investment, and looming deadlines give you more reason for urgency.

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