If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, or in an accident with one of their drivers, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Your settlement check will not be issued until after you have completed both the medical and legal processes. What you do after a rideshare accident matters to your legal case. One of the most vital things that you can do is contact an experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash.
Do I Always Need to Seek Medical Treatment?
There are several reasons why you should see a doctor immediately to treat your rideshare accident injuries. The first, and most important reason, to seek medical help is that you want to get better to the fullest extent possible. Accordingly, you should follow all medical recommendations that your doctor makes.
Your medical treatment also makes a difference in your legal case. The medical records that your doctor gives you form the basis of the damages part of your claim or lawsuit. Not only do you need to prove liability in a rideshare accident case, but you must also demonstrate the extent of your damages.
Further, the insurance company may take a different stance in settlement negotiations if it believes that you delayed medical care or did not follow treatment recommendations. Then, they may argue that you fail to mitigate your own damages. While they may offer you some money, it will not be as much as if you immediately saw a doctor and did what was expected of you in your care.
When Should You Hire an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
When you are seeking money after a rideshare accident, you are dealing directly with the insurance companies that Uber or Lyft use to provide coverage. These companies are paid a lot of money by Uber and Lyft, and they want to avoid giving it to you to the fullest extent possible. They see many claims like yours on a daily basis. Insurance companies have an automatic advantage over you if you try to deal with them directly.
Uber and Lyft cases are complex by nature. There may be numerous insurance companies involved in the picture, each one of which is trying to pass liability off to the other. In addition, you are likely left to deal with lowball settlement offers if the insurance company tries to resolve your case.
An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can perform many functions that you cannot do on your own, including the following:
- Investigating the accident to learn which driver involved in the crash was at fault.
- Figuring out all of the insurance coverage that is in place to pay for your damages.
- Filing claims against the insurance coverage on your behalf.
- Communicating with all of the insurance companies involved in your case.
- Negotiating any potential settlement with an insurance company.
- Litigating your case in court if you are not able to reach a resolution.
Is the Rideshare Driver Liable?
One thing to keep in mind is that you are not able to sue Uber or Lyft directly for injuries that you suffered in their vehicles. Typically, rideshare drivers are independent contractors, and your legal relationship is with them instead of Uber and Lyft. These companies prefer it that way because they can elude liability from being sued directly in most cases. The exception to this rule is when rideshare companies have negligently hired or retained drivers. They must perform a comprehensive and thorough background check on drivers before they hire them, and they must dismiss them when there are significant questions about their safety.
Contact a Chester County Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer at Samuel Anyan Attorney At Law if You Have Been Injured as a Passenger in an Uber or Lyft Vehicle
If you have been injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, whether you were a passenger or another driver on the road, reach out to a Chester County Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at Samuel Anyan Attorney At Law. To schedule a free consultation, submit our online form or call 833-372-6946. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients in Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Dauphin County, Berks County, Lehigh County, and Northampton County.