What Uber or Lyft Drivers Should Do If Not at Fault in a Car Accident

If you’re an Uber or Lyft driver who was hit by another motorist, your accident was likely caused by: 

• Distracted driving
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Speeding or aggressive driving
• Drowsy driving
• Vehicle maintenance issues or defects

In this case, the other driver would likely be found liable for causing your crash. This would be determined by the police report, witness statements, and evidence from the crash scene. Also, their insurance would typically be responsible for covering your damages. When you file a claim, it would be against their insurance provider.

In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer or vehicle parts maker would be found liable if their products are deemed unsafe. This falls under product liability and typically pertains to manufacturing or design defects, as well as the manufacturer’s failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions about the product. 

Keep in mind that both Virginia and Washington D.C. follow the contributory negligence rule. This means if you are found to be even 1% at fault, you can’t recover any damages from the other driver. With such a stringent rule in place, you’ll need a strong legal advocate on your side who can get to the facts and determine who was truly at fault for your crash.

If the driver who caused your car accident doesn’t have auto insurance, you can still seek compensation. Virginia law requires all auto insurance policies to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage protects you if you are hit by an uninsured driver. In Virginia, the required minimums for UM are:

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 for property damage per accident

Additionally, drivers in Washington D.C. are required to carry UM coverage with required minimums of:

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• $5,000 per accident, subject to a $200 deductible.

As a rideshare driver, if you were logged into the app and either waiting for a ride request or during a ride, the rideshare company’s insurance also provides uninsured motorist coverage, typically up to $1 million. This coverage can compensate you for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Rideshare companies in Virginia and Washington D.C. provide contingent coverage that can kick in to cover vehicle damages if your personal insurance doesn’t cover the accident. Plus, both rideshare insurance and UM can cover injuries to passengers who were in your vehicle at the time of the crash.

Being involved in a rideshare accident can be traumatic and frustrating. However, taking the right steps during the aftermath can help safeguard your rights and increase the chances of a positive case outcome.

Here’s what to do:

• Remain calm and assess the situation.
• Check on yourself, your passengers, and any other parties involved for injuries.
• Call emergency services if anyone is severely injured.
• Contact the police and wait for an officer to arrive at the scene and conduct an assessment.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved.
• Take pictures of the crash scene, including vehicle positions, vehicle damage, visible injuries, nearby traffic signs and signals, and damage to nearby structures.
• Get an immediate medical evaluation, even if you feel fine. This helps identify hidden injuries and create a clear link to the collision.
• Report the accident to the rideshare company you drive for. They should have a procedure in place for handling such reports.
• You should also report the accident to your personal car insurance company. Only provide basic information such as the date, time, location, parties involved, type of crash, and any injuries sustained.
• Contact an experienced rideshare car accident lawyer in Virginia or the Washington D.C. area to get legal advice and help with your claim.

Hurt in an Uber or Lyft car accident that wasn’t your fault? You don’t have to face the confusion of pursuing a claim alone. An experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer in Virginia or Washington D.C. can learn more about your situation during a free consultation and advise you on your rights and options for seeking compensation.

Plus, they can thoroughly investigate the collision you were involved in, find out how it happened, and determine who was at fault. This might involve speaking to witnesses, taking photos of the crash scene, obtaining video footage, checking cellphone records, and possibly hiring a crash reconstruction expert.

When it’s time to negotiate for a fair settlement, Virginia and Washington D.C. rideshare accident lawyers won’t take no for an answer. They’ll accurately tally up your eligible damages and fight to recover every dollar of it, even if it means taking your case to trial.

This comes at no upfront cost to you. Rideshare accident attorneys in Virginia and Washington D.C. operate on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if they successfully win your case. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting top-notch legal representation. To get started, contact a lawyer in Virginia or Washington D.C. and schedule your free consultation.