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Injuries sustained from a rideshare accident can leave you with extreme physical pain, emotional trauma, and unexpected financial distress. Your focus should be on a few key steps: address your injuries, determine who’s liable for the accident, and pursue fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The rideshare accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long believe knowledge is power. We will review Washington, DC’s rideshare car accident claim process, from seeking medical attention to building a strong case to secure maximum compensation.
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If you were hurt in a car crash in Washington, DC, and are ready to file a personal injury lawsuit against the Uber or Lyft driver, call an experienced lawyer at Regan Zambri Long today. During your free consultation, we will discuss your case and answer any questions you may have.
The moments following a car accident can be chaotic. Taking the right steps can ensure your safety and ability to recover damages. Here is what you should do immediately following a rideshare accident:
Prioritizing your health is the single most important step you can take after an Uber or Lyft accident. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. Remember, the adrenaline rush you’ll likely experience in a car accident will mask immediate pain. Not only will this step ensure your safety, but it will also establish a medical record of your injuries, which will help with future claims.
The Uber accident should be reported immediately to the police and the rideshare company. Call 911, even if the rideshare driver asks you not to. The responding police officer will begin an initial investigation, generate a police report, take witness statements, and make initial observations about the fault.
Reporting the accident on the rideshare app will create an internal record of the incident within the company, which will help during the claims process.
Gather as much information as possible from the scene of the accident. Take pictures and video of the damage to the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries you suffered.
Exchange contact information with the Uber driver, other passengers in the Uber or Lyft vehicle, and any eyewitnesses to the accident. Note the details of the rideshare trip, including the driver’s photo, vehicle make and model, and the trip ID number found in your app.
You must contact your insurance company once your immediate medical needs are addressed. Here are the steps you should take to navigate the insurance and legal process following an Uber car accident:
Washington, DC, is a no-fault insurance system. That means you’ll file a claim using your car insurance, regardless of who was at fault for the crash and whether you were driving. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will pay for medical expenses and lost wages within your coverage limits.
Speaking with insurance adjusters by yourself is not in your best interest. Having a car accident attorney by your side as you negotiate your insurance coverage payout will likely increase the compensation you can collect for your injuries.
File claims with all applicable insurance providers, including your auto insurance policy and the rideshare company’s insurance policy. If a third-party driver was involved, you may also pursue a claim against that driver’s car insurance.
If your or the company’s insurance does not cover all your damages, you may pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This could be the rideshare driver or another driver involved in the accident.
Keep records of all your medical bills, lost income, car repair estimates, and any other accident-related expenses. Document your recovery process through doctor’s notes and progress reports.
Every driver in Washington, DC, must carry personal car insurance, including rideshare drivers. DC’s minimum coverage requirements are:
Determining who’s responsible for a rideshare accident depends on the specific circumstances. Did the crash involve more than one vehicle? Was the Uber driver at fault? Did the driver’s actions lead to the accident? Did the rideshare car get hit by a commercial truck, causing passenger injuries to be subject to the truck driver’s insurance company?
Hundreds of different scenarios can play a role in a single-car accident. A Regan Zambri Long car crash lawyer will investigate the accident scene, review your medical records, obtain the police report, hire accident reconstruction experts, and work with other legal minds to determine which driver is at fault for your car accident.
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft maintain commercial insurance coverage for their drivers. The coverage limits vary depending on the phase of the ride in which the accident occurred:
It’s no secret that catastrophic car accidents leave the victim facing significant financial burdens. This is how you can recover compensation for damages in a rideshare accident case.
Any personal injury claim aims to recoup the costs associated with your accident. This may include expenses for medical care, lost income due to missed work, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.
Although Uber and Lyft offer substantial insurance coverage, ride-sharing companies may try to lower your settlement offer or deny your claim. If that happens, your personal injury lawyer will file a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver or the rideshare companies.
With this structured approach, you have a clear path toward recovering fair compensation for your injuries in a ridesharing accident. A Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyer will guide you through your claim, answer your questions, and update you on your lawsuit every step.
Call today for a free consultation with a leading DC personal injury attorney who will lay out your options for legal action and fight for your rights.
