Victims of an accident with a rideshare company face an uphill battle to recover damages. Knowing your rights and understanding who is responsible in this largely unregulated industry can be challenging. For those in a driver’s vehicle who are hurt in an accident, it is critical to know what to do. After you are injured in a rideshare accident, follow these steps and talk to a St. Petersburg Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.
Get Help and Gather Information
At the time of the accident, call 911 to report the incident. Then, if it is safe, take photos of the incident, your injuries, the damage to vehicles or structures, and any debris. Get the names of all parties involved, including passengers in the other vehicle. Provide the police with accurate information about what you experienced. Do not make any statements that could be considered speculative.
Report the Incident
You will need to alert the rideshare company of the incident. We encourage you not to provide any additional information beyond the facts of what happened and where. You can do this within the app you usually use under a “Trip issues” section. These rideshare companies will work aggressively to settle your case. Avoid doing that just yet.
Instead, inform the rideshare company that you are seeking medical care and that you will hire an attorney to represent you. Then, let your attorney handle the details, as Florida law gives you the right to seek compensation. Your attorney will help ensure you understand your rights.
Document What You Remember
Be detailed about what you remember happening. You will need to complete a comprehensive police report, but you also want to document this information so you can use it later. Outline the timeline, what you saw and experienced, as well as any road conditions.
Get Medical Care as Soon as Possible
It is essential to seek medical attention immediately after the rideshare accident. Doing so provides you with protection from any claims that your injuries are not directly linked to the incident. You also want to ensure that you receive help immediately to prevent your condition from worsening.
It is very common for victims to suffer invisible injuries, such as whiplash, back trauma, internal organ injuries, and muscle damage, without knowing it. If you develop any new types of injuries or pain, go back to the hospital for care.
Work with a Rideshare Accident Attorney
Once you get the medical care you need, hire a rideshare accident lawyer to work on your case. You can focus on your recovery and healing. Your attorney will pursue evidence to support your statements of loss, determine what caused the accident, and pinpoint all parties that are responsible for your injuries. Then, your attorney works to build a clear claim and negotiate compensation for you through the rideshare company’s insurance company.
Your attorney will have access to medical resources and expert witnesses who can back up your claims and attest to your losses. Your St. Petersburg accident attorney will also have extensive knowledge of working with rideshare companies, including Uber and Lyft. That experience works in your favor.
After a rideshare accident, what you do can play an important role in whether you can recover damages. By acting right away, you will be able to get the legal guidance you need and recover the damages owed to you under the law. Do not put off contacting a local rideshare accident lawyer to manage the intricacies of your case for you. To get in touch with the rideshare accident lawyers at our law firm, call (727) 321-4357 or fill out our contact form.
