Rideshare Accident Lawyer: What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Crash

Uber and Lyft have made getting around Buffalo easier, but rideshare accidents can create complicated questions when someone is injured. Unlike a typical car accident, a rideshare crash may involve the driver, another motorist, the rideshare company, passengers, and multiple insurance policies.

If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, struck by a rideshare vehicle, or involved in a crash caused by another driver while using a rideshare service, understanding what to do next is important. A Rideshare Accident Lawyer can review the circumstances of the crash and help you understand your legal options.

Why Are Rideshare Accidents Different From Regular Car Accidents?

A standard car accident may involve two drivers and their respective insurance companies. A rideshare accident can be more complicated because the driver's status at the time of the collision may affect which insurance coverage applies.

For example, an Uber or Lyft driver may be:

• Not logged into the rideshare app
• Logged into the app and waiting for a passenger request
• On the way to pick up a passenger
• Transporting a passenger

The circumstances surrounding the driver's activity at the time of the crash can become important when determining which insurance policies may apply.

This is one reason it can be difficult for an injured person to determine who should handle the claim without first examining the details of the accident.

What Should You Do After a Rideshare Accident?

If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, taking a few practical steps can help protect your health and preserve important evidence.

Get Medical Attention

Your health should be the first priority after a crash. Seek medical attention even if your injuries initially seem minor.

Some injuries, including whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries, may not become obvious immediately. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations and keep documentation related to your treatment.

Report the Crash

Contact law enforcement when appropriate and make sure the accident is officially documented.

If you were a rideshare passenger, you should also report the incident through the appropriate rideshare app. Keep copies or screenshots of relevant trip information and communications.

Document the Accident Scene

If you are physically able to do so, take photographs or videos of:

• The vehicles involved
• Damage to the vehicles
• Road conditions
• Traffic signals
• Visible injuries
• The surrounding area
• Skid marks or debris
• Relevant signs

These details can become useful when the circumstances of the accident are later disputed.

Collect Contact Information

Obtain the driver's name, contact information, insurance information, license plate number, and vehicle information when possible.

If other motorists or witnesses were involved, collect their information as well.

Preserve Your Rideshare Information

Save details from the Uber or Lyft trip, including the date and time of the ride, pickup and drop-off locations, driver information, and trip receipts.

These records can help establish who was driving, whether you were a passenger, and when the accident occurred.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare drivers face many of the same risks as other motorists. However, using a rideshare application and transporting passengers can introduce additional distractions.

Common causes of rideshare accidents include:

Distracted Driving

Drivers may become distracted by their phones, navigation systems, passengers, or the rideshare application.

Speeding

A driver attempting to reach a passenger quickly may drive too fast for traffic or road conditions.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Frequent navigation decisions and unfamiliar roads can contribute to sudden lane changes or missed traffic signals.

Failure to Yield

Rideshare vehicles may stop or turn unexpectedly when picking up or dropping off passengers, increasing the risk of collisions.

Fatigued Driving

Drivers who spend long hours on the road may experience fatigue, which can affect reaction time and decision-making.

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can put passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists at serious risk.

Poor Weather Conditions

Snow, ice, rain, and reduced visibility can make driving more difficult, particularly when a driver is unfamiliar with local roads.

Who May Be Responsible for a Rideshare Accident?

Liability depends on how the accident occurred and the people or entities involved.

Potentially responsible parties may include:

• The rideshare driver
• Another motorist
• A vehicle owner
• A rideshare company, depending on the circumstances
• A vehicle manufacturer in certain defective-product cases
• Another party whose negligence contributed to the crash

Determining responsibility may require reviewing the police report, witness statements, photographs, vehicle damage, available video footage, and rideshare records.

How The Buffalo Injury Law Firm Can Help

Rideshare accident claims can become difficult when insurance companies disagree about responsibility or coverage. The Buffalo Injury Law Firm handles rideshare accident cases and can investigate the circumstances surrounding a crash, gather relevant evidence, review medical records, and communicate with insurance companies. The firm's existing rideshare practice page specifically discusses Uber and Lyft accidents, liability issues, insurance coverage, and the evidence that may be relevant to these claims.

A Rideshare Accident Lawyer can also help determine which parties may need to be included in a claim and whether the compensation being offered adequately reflects the losses caused by the accident.

What Injuries Can Result From a Rideshare Crash?

Even a seemingly minor collision can cause injuries that require medical treatment.

Common rideshare accident injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Head injuries and concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Burns
• Emotional distress

Serious injuries can result in extended medical treatment, time away from work, rehabilitation, and long-term changes to a person's daily life.

What If You Were a Passenger?

Passengers generally have a unique position in a rideshare accident because they may not have caused the crash at all.

For example, a passenger could be injured when:

• The Uber or Lyft driver causes a collision
• Another motorist hits the rideshare vehicle
• The rideshare vehicle is involved in a multi-car crash
• A vehicle collision causes the passenger to suffer a serious injury

The fact that you were a passenger does not automatically determine which insurance coverage applies. The specific circumstances of the trip and accident need to be examined.

What If an Uber or Lyft Driver Hit Your Vehicle?

You do not have to be a rideshare passenger to be affected by a rideshare accident.

If an Uber or Lyft driver crashes into your vehicle, the driver's status at the time of the collision may become important. Evidence may help establish whether the driver was logged into the rideshare platform, traveling to pick up a passenger, or carrying a passenger.

Because rideshare insurance arrangements can be more complicated than ordinary auto insurance claims, it is important to preserve evidence and understand what coverage may apply.

What If a Rideshare Vehicle Hits a Pedestrian?

Pedestrians can also be injured in rideshare crashes.

A pedestrian accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle may require an investigation into the driver's actions, traffic conditions, available video footage, witness statements, and the driver's rideshare status.

If you were walking or crossing the street when a rideshare vehicle struck you, seek medical attention and report the accident. A Rideshare Accident Lawyer can help assess the circumstances and explain the potential avenues for pursuing compensation.

What Compensation May Be Available?

The losses following a rideshare accident can extend beyond immediate medical expenses. Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, compensation may potentially include:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Ongoing medical treatment
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Other accident-related expenses

The potential value of a claim depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, medical treatment, impact on employment, long-term consequences, and the evidence establishing liability.

Why Is Evidence Important?

Rideshare accidents can involve information that may not be available in a traditional accident investigation. Important evidence can include:

• Police reports
• Medical records
• Photographs and videos
• Witness statements
• Rideshare trip records
• Driver information
• Insurance information
• Dashcam footage
• Traffic or security-camera footage
• Vehicle damage
• Employment and wage records

Preserving this information early can make it easier to understand what happened and determine which parties may be responsible.

When Should You Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

You may want to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a serious rideshare accident, particularly if you suffered significant injuries or an insurance company is disputing your claim.

Legal guidance may be useful when:

• You were seriously injured
• You were a rideshare passenger
• Multiple vehicles were involved
• The rideshare driver disputes responsibility
• Another driver caused the crash
• Several insurance companies are involved
• You cannot work because of your injuries
• You received a settlement offer
• Your injuries may require long-term treatment

Getting legal advice early can help you understand your rights before making decisions that could affect a potential claim.

Protecting Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident

An Uber or Lyft accident can leave you dealing with medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and uncertainty about who is responsible. The involvement of a rideshare company can add another layer to an already stressful situation.

If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Buffalo or elsewhere in Western New York, a Rideshare Accident Lawyer can review the circumstances of your crash and explain your legal options.

Contact us to discuss your accident and request a free case review with The Buffalo Injury Law Firm.

FAQs

What is a rideshare accident?

A rideshare accident is a collision involving a vehicle being used for a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft. The accident may involve a passenger, rideshare driver, pedestrian, cyclist, or another motorist.

Is a rideshare accident different from a regular car accident?

It can be. Insurance coverage and liability may depend on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the crash, such as whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a ride, traveling to a passenger, or transporting a passenger.

What should I do after an Uber or Lyft accident?

Seek medical attention, report the accident, document the scene, collect information from drivers and witnesses, preserve your rideshare trip information, and keep records related to your injuries and expenses.

Can I file a claim if I was a passenger in an Uber or Lyft?

Potentially. Your rights and the applicable insurance coverage depend on the circumstances of the accident. A lawyer can review the facts and explain your options.

What if another driver caused my rideshare accident?

Another motorist may be responsible if their negligence caused the collision. Depending on the circumstances, additional insurance coverage may also become relevant.

How much does a Rideshare Accident Lawyer cost?

The cost and fee structure can vary by attorney and case. The Buffalo Injury Law Firm states on its rideshare practice page that it handles these cases on a contingency basis, meaning clients do not pay upfront legal fees and the firm's fee is tied to the outcome of the case.