What to Do After a Lyft Accident in Washington, DC

Injured in a Lyft Accident in DC?

For many of Washington, DC’s travelers, Lyft and other ridesharing services make commuting and social travel easier. However, for people involved in a rideshare accident, these services can complicate claiming the compensation they are due. After a Lyft accident, injured people should contact their insurance company to make a claim and consult an experienced DC Lyft accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long.

Washington, DC’s car accident laws can make it difficult to hold the liable party responsible. Your lawyer will help you make an insurance claim and bring legal action against the parties involved.

 

 

Contact Us today to schedule a free consultant

Contact Us Form

Complete this form and our team will get back to you as soon as possible

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Steps to Take After a Washington, DC, Lyft Accident

A man stands on the road clutching his neck in visible pain after a rear-end car accident involving two vehicles, one of which is a rideshare. This image reflects the immediate aftermath of a Lyft-related accident in Washington, DC. Passengers and drivers injured in these types of collisions may suffer from whiplash and other soft tissue injuries. Regan Zambri Long PLLC represents clients hurt in Lyft accidents throughout the DC area. For legal help with rideshare-related injury claims, call +1 (202) 937-3310.

Lyft accidents follow some of the same processes as other vehicle accidents. Your steps after the crash will set you up for success in a personal injury claim. Your well-being and safety are the most important after an accident. After a rideshare accident, you should:

Assess the situation and call for help:

All DC drivers involved in a collision are legally required to pull over. If anyone is injured, you must call 911 or another emergency service and remain on the scene until law enforcement arrives. The Code of the District of Columbia states that anyone leaving the collision scene before police arrive may be fined or incarcerated.

Seek medical attention:

Even if your injuries seem minor, you should have your Lyft accident injuries checked out. Some injuries may not be apparent immediately after an accident, and having a medical treatment record will link your injuries to the incident if you must pursue a claim later.

 

Common vehicle accident injuries include:

 

  • broken bones
  • traumatic brain injuries
  • neck and spine injuries
  • cuts, scrapes, and bruises
  • whiplash

After an accident, you should pay close attention to your health and seek medical treatment for anything unusual. Your well-being depends on prompt medical attention.

Report the accident to Lyft and your own insurance:

Use the Lyft app to report the accident if you were a passenger as soon as possible. Lyft will likely contact you for more information about the incident and may launch its investigation. If you were a Lyft passenger, screenshot your ride in the app as proof that the crash occurred while in the vehicle.

 

In addition, you will report the accident to your insurance company, which will cover your medical bills and property damage according to your policy limits. Although you want to trust your insurance provider to look out for your interests, you should be wary when providing a statement about the incident. Speak truthfully and factually, but avoid volunteering extra information or explaining answers. If possible, speak with a rideshare accident lawyer before giving your statement.

Gather evidence:

Collect as much evidence as possible from the accident scene, including:

 

  • Photos of the vehicles involved, the accident location, and any visible injuries
  • Contact information for the other parties involved, including the Lyft driver, passengers, and witnesses
  • Insurance information for all involved parties
  • A copy of the police report, if applicable

Limit conversation and avoid admitting fault:

When speaking with other parties involved in the accident, limit your conversation to exchanging necessary information. Avoid discussing details of the accident or admitting fault, as this may be used against you later.

 

Insurance companies and Lyft may want statements from you, as well. You should be factual and truthful, but do not volunteer more than necessary, and do not take any responsibility for the incident. If you can, consult with an attorney before making any statements.

Document your experience:

For your lawyer, keep a detailed record of your experience following the accident, including medical treatment, missed work, and any other expenses or impacts on your life related to the incident. This record will help your lawyer value your claim and pursue fair compensation.

Contact a ridesharing accident attorney:

Filing an injury claim after a Lyft accident can be overwhelming so it’s essential to consult with an experienced ridesharing accident attorney. They can help you understand your rights, guide you through the process, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

 

Washington, DC’s car accident laws can make it challenging, but not impossible, to claim compensation. Your lawyer will help you prove negligence and liability and protect you from any claims that you share contributory negligence.

What if the Lyft driver was negligent?

The circumstances surrounding your collision will determine who is liable for the accident and who you can seek compensation from. You will often pursue a claim against the Lyft driver if the driver was negligent. Compensation will cover your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other losses.

What if my insurance policy doesn’t cover my expenses?

If your insurance policy does not cover all your medical expenses in your Lyft accident case, you may be able to sue the liable party for additional damages. This is an exception to Washington, DC’s no-fault insurance system. You should contact a lawyer for a free consultation.

What Are Common Types of Lyft Accidents?

A woman is seen standing next to a rideshare vehicle on a wet, brick-paved street in Washington, DC, holding her smartphone with a ride confirmation app open. She appears to be verifying the car before getting in. This moment captures the rideshare experience just before pickup, a point where many Lyft-related accidents occur due to driver miscommunication, unsafe stops, or distracted driving. Regan Zambri Long PLLC represents clients involved in Lyft accidents across Washington, DC. Contact +1 (202) 937-3310 for legal help after a rideshare-related crash.

Accidents are an unfortunate reality of any mode of transportation, but they are not unavoidable. According to a 2020 National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration report, the US had more than 5.25 million traffic crashes. While Lyft does not disclose the number of car accidents its drivers are involved in annually, a safety report published in 2021 reported 49 fatalities in 2019.

 

Lyft drivers are involved in the same kinds of crashes as other drivers, including rear-ending, side impacts, lane changes, head-on collisions, and pedestrian accidents. Many of these accidents are caused by driver negligence, such as speeding, ignoring traffic signals, and distracted driving.

 

As in other accidents, determining liability is the first step toward taking legal action after a collision. The Lyft driver may not be liable for the incident or your injuries.

 

If you are involved in a Lyft accident, seeking medical attention, gathering evidence, and consulting with an experienced Washington, DC, Lyft accident attorney is important to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

Hire Regan Zambri Long for Your DC Lyft Accident

Accidents involving Lyft and other rideshare services can be complicated. But if you or your loved one are injured, you deserve compensation. After seeking medical attention, contact our Washington, DC, personal injury attorneys specializing in Lyft accidents. Our team of lawyers is ready to take on your case. We will work tirelessly until we recover millions of dollars for our clients, and we can do the same for you.

 

Call 202-946-5322 to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury lawyers today.

Table of Contents

Practice Areas

Construction Zone Accidents
Distracted Driving Accidents
Drowsy Driving Accidents
Drunk Driving Accidents
Elderly Driver Accidents
Fatal Auto Accidents
Head-On Collisions
Hit and Run Accidents
Rear-End Accidents
Left Turn Accidents
T-Bone Accidents
Teen Driver Accidents
Texting While Driving Accidents
Uninsured Motorist Claims
Vehicle Defect Accidents
Wrong Way Driver Accidents

award logo.png
logo 1.png
nbta.png
superlawyers 1 2 1.png
superlawyers 1 1.png
isob 1.png
copy of washingtonian 1.png

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

  • Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.