If an Uber or Lyft driver hit your vehicle, the process of pursuing compensation for your damages is probably going to be more complicated than you might initially anticipate. There may be several entities that may be responsible for your damages. Perez Law Group, PLLC is a multi-practice law firm that has extensive experience representing victims of Uber and Lyft collisions with pedestrian cars, cyclists, motorcycle operators, and pedestrians alike. If you are injured, contact our reputable Lyft or Uber accident lawyers in Glendale, AZ today for thoughtful, client-focused assistance.

Consider doing the following in the immediate aftermath of a crash, as these steps can help to protect your well-being and your legal case. By following these steps below, you can preserve evidence and better ensure that you act within the confines of the law yourself.

Call 911

It is advisable to call the police if you have been involved in an accident. Once the police arrive, they will:

  • Take your and the rideshare driver’s statements
  • Administer a breathalyzer test, if necessary
  • Investigate the scene of the accident (which will likely either corroborate your version of events or the rideshare driver’s version of events)
  • Include their opinion in the report, such as who is likely at fault

Take Photographs Of The Accident Scene

Whether you are likely to sue the Uber or Lyft driver and/or file a claim with your insurance agency, make sure to take pictures of the accident scene. Otherwise, you may get fuzzy on the details later. Taking pictures of the scene can also serve as evidence and can rebut an attempt to tamper with other evidence later. The at-fault driver may try to repair their vehicle to argue that the rideshare’s damages are inconsistent with your statements, for example, and you’ll have pictures to prove otherwise.

Exchange Information

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 28-663, you must exchange your name, address, registration, and driver’s license information with the other driver involved in the accident. You must provide this information even if you believe you are not at fault. If the rideshare driver accuses you of being at fault, the police may charge you with a misdemeanor if you left the scene without stopping and exchanging information. The accident will then escalate into a hit-and-run scenario. Similarly, if the Uber or Lyft driver flees the scene and fails to provide this information, the accident would now be considered a hit-and-run.

Seek Medical Treatment

After calling the police and swapping information with the rideshare driver, seek medical attention if you were not so hurt that you called for such attention immediately. You should not delay in visiting a medical professional, even if you feel fine after the accident. Adrenaline may prevent you from feeling pain, initially. According to medical professionals, you may not feel the severity of your injuries until later. However, waiting until you feel significant pain can worsen your condition and escalate minor injuries into major injuries.

Medical professionals are best equipped to diagnose the extent of your harm. Thus, you should see your primary care provider or go to the emergency room, depending on the severity of the accident. You may also need to see a back or neck doctor. In some instances, you may require surgery.

Do Uber Or Lyft Drivers Carry Insurance Coverage?

What the rideshare’s insurance company may offer, in terms of compensation, will vary depending on the specifics of the situation. Furthermore, whether the rideshare’s insurance company is obligated to compensate you depends on whether the at-fault Uber or Lyft driver hit you while they were on the clock. If the Uber or Lyft driver was not actively working for the rideshare company at the time of the accident, you may have to pursue recovery from their personal insurance provider instead.

What Is Arizona’s Comparative Negligence Law?

Arizona adheres to the comparative negligence rule. Comparative negligence insists that a civil court may approve a compensation award for any injuries sustained, even if you’re 99% at fault for the car collision. However, your compensatory damages (i.e., financial reward) will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. Suppose the court finds you are 50% at fault, and your damages are worth $25,000. In this case, the judge will grant you $12,500. Therefore, it is critical to hire rideshare accident attorneys who are experienced with Uber and Lyft collision recovery if you want better chances of getting the total amount of compensation you’re owed under the circumstances.

Should I Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer After A Collision?

It is advisable to hire skillful personal injury lawyers following a collision with a rideshare driver. You may pursue litigation by representing yourself (i.e., “pro se”), but this decision will likely put you at a marked disadvantage. If you decide to handle the car crash pro se, the following is only some of what you must do:

  • You would have to argue with strategic insurance agents.
  • You would need to research and study Arizona’s auto accident laws.
  • You would need to know which auto accident laws are relevant to rideshare drivers hitting your vehicle.
  • You would need to understand complex legal jargon that it took attorneys three years of schooling to understand.
  • You would be responsible for filing court documents properly and timely.
  • You would be responsible for following all legal procedures.
  • You would be responsible for gathering witnesses or getting notarized statements or affidavits from doctors, if necessary.

Hiring experienced Lyft / Uber accident attorneys at Perez Law Group, PLLC will save you time and the headache of handling a case pro se and will increase your chances of receiving the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled.

Perez Law Group, PLLC Provides Uber or Lyft Driver Accident Services in Glendale, AZ

It is unfortunate when another driver’s negligent behavior causes an accident. An accident can do far worse than damage your car. It can cause severe bodily injury, PTSD, and other kinds of suffering. If you have recently sustained harm due to another’s actions or inactions, don’t delay in seeking financial justice. Call Perez Law Group, PLLC at 602-730-7100, or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.