What Should I Do if I’m in an Accident With a Rideshare Driver?
Rideshare companies – like Uber and Lyft – have become ubiquitous in many American cities over the last decade. They can be easier to hail (in some circumstances and places) than a traditional yellow cab, but their convenience tends to obscure some more important issues that could come up with their service. Most importantly, what should you do if you get into an accident as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle?
What is a Rideshare Company and What Do They Do?
A rideshare company is a company that coordinates people looking for rides with available drivers via an app. Uber and Lyft are the most common examples, although different regions frequently have their own versions of the service. From a rider’s perspective, they may seem to operate much like a taxi company, but they’re regulated and legislated very differently.
What Should I Do After an Accident in a Rideshare?
If you’re in an accident as a passenger in a rideshare, don’t neglect to do everything you would normally do in any other kind of car accident:
- First, ensure the well-being and safety of yourself and everyone else involved in the collision.
- Contact emergency services, including the local police, to report the accident.
- Exchange contact and insurance info with the driver of your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the accident.
- Take photographs of any damage to property or injuries to persons if you can, as well as the surrounding environment (try to include weather conditions, road conditions, lighting, and any obstacles or hazards present in the roadway)
Lastly, do your best to stay calm and collected as the process unfolds.
How Does Insurance Affect Rideshare Accidents
Insurance matters can get quite complicated in rideshare accidents. There are several overlapping layers of insurance, and the question of who pays whom – and in what order – is not always well-settled and can be fact-specific. The rideshare company’s insurance, your driver’s insurance, other drivers’ insurance, and your insurance may all be involved to one extent or another, and this can delay payouts while they jockey over position (each one trying to be the last one to pay out).
This is why it’s important to get a New Jersey rideshare accident attorney early when you’re involved in an accident like this.
Can a Rideshare Passenger in a Car Accident Sue in New Jersey?
Yes, rideshare passengers involved in car accidents can sue the driver of their vehicle and the rideshare company (depending on the circumstances). Whether or not you will be successful, however, depends largely on your ability to put together an effective case and supporting arguments. Usually, only an experienced New Jersey rideshare accident lawyer with a track record of similar cases will be in a position to help you.
Mazie Slater Rideshare Accident Lawyers are Here for You
If you’ve had the misfortune of becoming involved in a rideshare accident as a passenger in, contact one of the experienced New Jersey rideshare accident attorneys at Mazie Slater today. We offer free consultations to familiarize you with your rights and explain the legal process, and you don’t pay a penny unless we successfully obtain an award or settlement on your behalf. That means you don’t pay unless you win.