How to Maximize Your Rideshare Accident Compensation
Ever since the rise of rideshare companies, people worldwide need not worry about finding transport to their location. From a time when people would have to wait for hours or book a ride the day before to using an app to get the vehicle to a desired location for pickups, transport has come a long way.
However, the increase in the number of rideshare facilities has also led to an increase in the number of accidents.
Though being involved in a rideshare accident can be confusing, people must take the right steps to ensure their legal, financial, and overall personal safety. Rideshare accident lawyers can guide people better based on their situation and help them understand their options.
But, only if the victim takes the right measures following the accident, will they be able to get the maximum compensation available.
Let’s take a look at how victims can maximize their rideshare accident compensation.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident
Here is what a victim must do right after they have been in a rideshare accident.
- Ensure Safety First: Check for any visible injuries on self and check on others involved. Once safety is ensured, move to a safer location close to the accident scene, if possible, to prevent any further damage.
- Report the Accident: Once in a safer location, contact emergency services. The police will come as one of the teams answering the call. They will conduct their investigation of the scene and ask questions to those involved; be sure to remain calm and answer their questions truthfully.
The official police report is vital evidence that the victim can later request a copy of, as it is seen as a neutral assessment of the accident. Also, be sure to inform the accident personal insurance company as well as the rideshare company.
- Gather Evidence: Be sure to gather necessary evidence from the scene that can support the claim, such as:
- Photos and videos of injuries and other damages
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Photos and videos of possible contributing factors
- Witness statements and contact information
- Seek Medical Attention: No matter how minor the accident may be, medical attention is crucial to rule out any hidden injuries. The medical report is also key evidence to prove the injuries and link them to the accident.
Understanding Liability in Rideshare Accidents
Liability in rideshare accidents can be complex. First, the victim needs to determine who is responsible for the accident: the rideshare company or a third party. They can determine fault by relying on neutral sources such as the police report or witness testimonies.
What compensation the victim gets from the rideshare company’s insurance also depends. As rideshare drivers are technically independent contractors and not employees, the fault falling on the rideshare companies are rare. But if the accident is the driver’s fault, the coverage the victim gets depends on the driver’s status:
- Off-Duty: Only the driver’s coverage can be used.
- On App, But Not on Trip: Limited coverage is from the rideshare company.
- On the Way to Pick Up a Passenger: The rideshare company coverage.
- On a Trip: Highest compensation available from the company.
Maximizing Compensation
Victims can ensure that they get the maximum possible compensation by taking the following steps:
- Keep All Records: Keep a detailed record of all damages faced after the accident. Victims have the right to claim compensation for all their economic and non-economic damages after an accident, but they require proof. Medical bills, property repair costs, lost wages, family statements of pain suffered, and own documentation of emotional distress can all be useful.
- Hire an Experienced Lawyer: Rideshare accidents are complex, and thinking that it is possible to handle them alone is a one-way ticket to end up with compensation that is not enough for your needs. A lawyer who specializes in rideshare accidents can guide victims through the process and help them understand their options and scope.
- Don’t Accept the First Settlement Offer: Insurance companies often employ various tactics to reduce the company’s payouts. One such tactic is offering them early settlements; though they seem like a quick way out of the mess, these payments are often way less than they truly deserve. If victims were to accept this amount, they would probably not be able to avail themselves of more when they realize that they have been handed insufficient funds.
