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What do I do if I am in a Rideshare Accident?

Unfortunately, rideshare accidents are on the rise as one of the most common types of accidents that are reported. It has been noted that when compared with other types of vehicle accident fatalities, the number of rideshare accidents is far lower than most others. However, if you or someone you know have been in such an accident, you should be aware of the damages that can result from it.

The first thing that you need to do if you have been involved in a rideshare accident is to contact the rideshare company. This is important because the rideshare driver, regardless of if they were at fault, should have liability insurance while operating the vehicle. If not, you can seek compensation from the driver or the company that the driver works for.

How Common are Rideshare Accidents?

In many ways, rideshare services have helped to lower the rate of drunk driving accidents. But, the advantages gained in using rideshare services can be offset by a multitude of factors. According to MIT, rideshare accidents have steadily risen over the last few years, accounting for as many as 1,100 deaths annually.

Rideshare drivers spend more time on the road than almost any other type of driver, which translates into an obvious reason for increased accidents involving rideshares. The rules surrounding rideshare drivers and the amount of time they spend on the road can easily be circumvented as drivers use more than one app to pick up riders. This is often the reason behind rideshare accidents that are caused by drowsy driving. 

How Can I Avoid Being Involved in a Rideshare Accident?

There is only so much you can do to avoid being involved in a rideshare accident, but you still have a few options. If the rideshare driver is talkative, you could politely ask them to keep their focus on the road. If you notice the driver seems drowsy or uncoordinated, ask them to drop you off in a safe location, then report them to the rideshare company. 

Because rideshare drivers often pick up intoxicated people, you may not be able to tell if the smell of alcohol is coming from the driver or a previous passenger. If you smell alcohol, it’s best to exit the vehicle as soon as possible and report the experience to the rideshare company. Do your due diligence to pay attention to their behavior and if there is any suspicion, it’s better to report it and possibly save someone else from being involved in an accident.

Can I Seek Damages for a Rideshare Accident?

There are a lot of different things to consider when it comes to seeking damages from rideshare companies or the driver. One of the first things you need to look at is the type of rideshare accident that occurred. The most common type of accident that results in rideshare injuries are rear-ended collisions. There are many factors that can determine how severe this type of accident will be, such as the size of the vehicle in question, the behavior of the driver, and even weather conditions.

In order to seek compensation from the rideshare company, you will have needed to be involved in a pretty extensive type of accident in which the passenger or passengers are injured due to the fault of the rideshare drivers. The most common injuries that occur are head injuries, neck injuries, broken bones, and other such ailments. In order to obtain full compensation from an insurance provider, you must make the proper steps to prove that the accident was the result of negligence on the part of the rideshare drivers.

What are Common Rideshare Accident Injuries and Damages?

Rideshare accidents can result in both financial and bodily harm. They can also result in severe injuries such as brain or spinal cord injuries, or even death. The reason these accidents can be so financially taxing is that there is not a lot of insurance coverage available for them. Most insurance providers won’t provide coverage for rideshare drivers unless they specifically ask for it. Additionally, many rideshare companies are pretty lax in vetting their drivers. This means if you are riding in a car with Uber, you may be leaving yourself wide open for injuries or worse, death.

If you are planning on using rideshare services, you need to understand that not all of them have the same coverage options. Some rideshare companies will try to downplay the liability risks. So, if you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you need an experienced rideshare accident attorney on your side every step of the way.

Should I Hire an Attorney for a Rideshare Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, your first step is to always seek medical attention for any injuries. An accident should also be reported to authorities and the rideshare company immediately. If you wait, you may lose your ability to seek compensation for your injuries.

The next step is to always connect with an experienced rideshare accident attorney. Our rideshare accident attorneys at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd know that the laws surrounding rideshare accident liability are still evolving and can be extremely complex to navigate on your own. Contact us online or call us today at (866) 460-1990 to privately discuss your case right over the phone or via a video conference call.