Rideshare drivers owe a specific duty of care to their passengers and other roadway users. If their negligent actions lead to an accident, they can be held financially accountable for their mistakes. To get compensation for the damages you incurred in a rideshare-related accident, have a Rome rideshare accident lawyer file a rideshare accident claim for you.
Rideshare accident claims often require plaintiffs to complete more steps than what would be required to file a normal car accident claim. To get the best results, have Rome personal injury lawyer do the legwork for you. Our trusted team of lawyers has proven experience helping rideshare accident victims claim the compensation they deserve.
What to Do Following a Rideshare Accident
A rideshare accident is a serious matter. This is true whether you are the passenger of a rideshare vehicle or the driver of a vehicle that was hit by a rideshare vehicle. Following a rideshare accident, always stop driving when it is safe to do so.
Also, try your best to keep the rideshare driver from leaving the scene. Though, you should not put yourself in harm’s way to do so.
Some other steps you need to follow after a rideshare accident include:
Gather Evidence if Possible
To win compensation, you need evidence that the rideshare driver was responsible for the accident. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is collect evidence proving their liability. Though, this is only true if you are not seriously injured.
Anyone who has suffered serious harm needs to seek medical attention immediately. If you are not hurt badly, start the evidence collection process by getting the names and contact information of anyone who was a witness to the accident. This is necessary because, quite often, witnesses leave the scene before the police can arrive to make a report.
Speaking of which, you need to call the police as soon as possible. You can do this before collecting the contact information, but you do not want to give the witnesses time to leave before you can speak to them.
Picture Evidence
Pictures are another important form of evidence. If you have access to a mobile device with a camera, take as many pictures of the scene as possible. If there is any sign of road obstructions or other hazards that may have caused the accident, get pictures of that too.
Sometimes, it can also be helpful to take pictures of nearby road signs and signals too. Using all of this evidence, your Lyft accident lawyer in Rome will develop a case that illuminates the circumstances that caused the accident.
File a Police Report
By the time you have finished collecting evidence, the police should have arrived. Once they are on the scene, do as they ask. Usually, they will begin questioning you, the rideshare driver, other involved drivers, and any witnesses who are still present.
Through their questions, they aim to find out exactly what happened and who may have been responsible for the accident. All of this information will be included in a police report, which will be vital during the process of filing your rideshare accident claim.
Seek Medical Care
Now that you have done all that you can to preserve evidence related to the accident, you need to go get medical attention. If you wait days, weeks, or even months to go to the hospital, those actions can be used against you when you go to file a claim. The insurance companies will see the fact that you waited to get medical care and say that your injuries are not as serious as you claim they are.
Avoid this outcome by getting care on the same day when possible. Make sure you let the doctor know exactly what you feel so that your injuries are well-documented. Keep in mind that your medical records will be used to determine a portion of the total damages you can claim from the liable party.
Speak to a Rome Lyft Accident Attorney
When you have completed the steps mentioned above, start thinking about how you can recover compensation for your current and future losses. Usually, this requires filing a claim against the driver’s insurance. While you can do this on your own, you will have better results if you have a Rome Lyft accident lawyer file your claim for you.
Get the strong arm
Your Rights Must Be Upheld
Once you have a lawyer, you need to have them file a claim against the rideshare driver’s personal insurance. If you do not have a lawyer, do not let the insurance company pressure you into accepting a minimal claim. They may make an offer that seems reasonable, but understand that a lawyer will likely be capable of helping you claim more compensation than you thought possible.
By hiring a Rome Lyft accident lawyer, you ensure that your right to compensation is upheld. Your lawyer will work hard to identify exactly what your total losses are, then calculate your total compensatory damages. Once they do, you will see what your claim is worth realistically.
If that amount is more than you have been offered, filing a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance may be possible. To file a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance, the volume of your damages must exceed what can be claimed through the rideshare driver’s personal insurance policy. If the claim is denied outright, then filing against the rideshare company’s insurance is automatically the next step.
Do not get stressed out if your initial claim is not accepted, as there is still a high probability that you can recover compensation.
It Is Time to Speak with a Lyft Accident Attorney in Rome
Do not let the insurance companies give you the runaround. Have a lawyer evaluate your claim today. John Foy & Associates is patiently waiting for you to reach out.
To get in touch with one of our representatives, use the contact form on this page.
762-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form