Ridesharing with Uber or Lyft is an economical way to get around Houston when you need a quick ride and don’t want to drive. Everything is run through the company’s smartphone app with electronic payments, so the transaction doesn’t involve carrying cash. Because they’re so popular, ridesharing shows no sign of slowing down.
But just like driving your car, accidents are always a possibility, especially in the Houston area. You may know what to do if you have an accident while driving your car. But what happens when you’re on a rideshare?
The Necessary Steps
As with any car accident, you’ll need to:
- Call 911. This will both establish that the accident happened and generate a police report that you’ll need to file your claim later.
- Check with others involved in the accident and see if they need assistance or medical attention.
- Gather information from the other driver, including their insurance and driver’s license data.
- Gather evidence—take pictures of everything you can, get contact information from witnesses, and take screenshots of your ride reservation and receipt.
- Get medical care immediately, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Many injuries may not show symptoms right away.
Of course, you should not say anything that would implicate you as being at fault, such as “I’m sorry.” You should also not post about the crash on social media.
Once you’ve left the hospital, contact our office to discuss your next steps.
Contacting The Rideshare Company
This is where the accident becomes complicated. Both Uber and Lyft have specific procedures for passengers to contact them after an accident.
If the driver was at fault for the accident, you can report them on the company’s web page:
When discussing the accident, treat these individuals as you would any insurance adjuster: discuss the facts of the accident and do not discuss your injuries. They, too, will attempt to minimize your settlement by using whatever you say to qualify as a reason to deny your claim or minimize any settlement.
Filing Your Claim
Just because you were in an accident with a Lyft or Uber driver does not mean the company will be paying. The core of the claim will depend on the status of the driver at the time of the accident.
Uber and Lyft have similar insurance policies and rules for paying claims. If the driver was driving you and the app showed that they were actively engaged in a trip, the rideshare company’s insurance policy will likely be the one to cover your injuries. But if they were on the way to pick up or just dropped off someone and not active on the app, the driver’s personal insurance policy will likely be responsible for your claim.
Because this kind of claim is complex, a Houston car accident attorney can help you through the process and file your claim correctly.
Uber and Lyft Accident Injury Lawyer In Houston
If you were injured in an accident while riding with Uber or Lyft, or with a rideshare driver, we can help. Texas’ statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. Building a case takes time, so it’s important to start your claim immediately. Contact Paxton Law Firm today by calling (281) 978-2244 or filling out our online contact form. During your free consultation, you can learn more about your legal options. For Espanol INICIO and CONTÁCTENOS EN.
