Long gone are the days of taxis as a transportation option — by some estimates, nearly half of Americans now use rideshare services. In North Carolina, Uber and Lyft dominate the market, and within seconds, you can summon a vehicle to take you where you need to go. Customers aren’t the only group that benefits from rideshares. Millions of people work as drivers and use Uber and Lyft as a source of income. Unfortunately, things don’t always go smoothly, and rideshare car crashes happen regularly in North Carolina and nationwide. One study found that ridesharing services have led to an increase in traffic deaths. So, what should you do if an accident occurs? Knowing beforehand the steps to take after a car accident, including one with a rideshare vehicle, can greatly benefit you when managing the aftermath.
What To Do After A Rideshare Accident
Unfortunately, the chances of a rideshare accident may be higher than you think — a survey found that one-third of rideshare drivers have had a crash on the road. In 2023, there were more than 115,000 car crash injuries in North Carolina. While it’s unclear how many of these involved ridesharing vehicles, it gives an idea of just how common serious North Carolina car accidents have become. You may feel confused and overwhelmed in the minutes after a car accident, even if your injuries are minimal. Every driver should follow the steps below following a crash involving a rideshare vehicle.
Check For Injuries
Examining yourself and passengers for injuries is the first thing you should do. If anyone is hurt, you should call an emergency number. If you can’t reach your phone, you can ask a bystander to help you. If you’re seriously injured and cannot move, wait for emergency care. Anyone injured in a car crash should receive medical attention.
Call Law Enforcement
Even if there aren’t visible injuries after a crash, you should call the police to report it. A car accident can quickly evolve into a “he said, she said” situation when determining fault, and there’s no guarantee the other driver will be honest. A law enforcement officer will interview drivers, passengers, and witnesses to discover what happened.
Gather Evidence
Document as much as you can. Take pictures of all damaged vehicles, the other parties’ license plates and insurance cards, and anything else that could be relevant in an investigation — skid marks that could signal that a driver was speeding or a photo of road conditions to show that it was raining, for example. It’s better to take too many pictures than too few.
Get Medical Help
One of the biggest mistakes you could make after an accident is declining a medical evaluation because you feel fine. The adrenaline rush that results from a car accident can mask the pain for hours or even days, and it’s essential to be examined as soon as you can.
Contact Insurance
When dealing with another driver’s insurance company, it’s essential not to get too comfortable — though it may seem like they’re on your side, your best interests aren’t their priority. Don’t volunteer information you aren’t asked for, and don’t consent to recording the call.
Anyone involved in a rideshare accident can report it to the company through the Uber or Lyft app. What happens after you report a crash, and how will the companies respond? The answer varies, which is why it’s essential to consider contacting a North Carolina car accident lawyer before moving forward.
Rideshare Insurance Policies
How does a rideshare insurance policy differ from what you would see in a non-rideshare accident? Uber requires all drivers to carry their own auto insurance. If an accident happens and a driver isn’t working, they’ll file a claim with their personal insurance carrier. But when working for Uber, the coverage is more widespread than the average policy. When a driver is online but not completing a trip, they’re eligible for $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, along with $25,000 in property damage per accident. And when someone is transporting a passenger, when an accident occurs, they’ll be covered by insurance that allows at least $1 million for property damage and injuries, even if they’re at fault. Drivers aren’t covered by their personal auto insurance policies while on the job. Lyft has similar rules in place. Rideshare insurance policies are more robust than most, but the process isn’t as simple as it may seem.
Who’s At Fault in a Rideshare Accident?
If the other driver was driving recklessly or breaking the law, determining fault in an accident may seem simple. If the driver is determined to be at-fault and they are insured, their carrier will usually cover your expenses, paying for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses suffered because of the accident. If an Uber or Lyft driver is involved in a crash, the companies offer the coverage previously discussed. But North Carolina car accidents are often complex, and the result isn’t always so black-and-white.
Insurance companies don’t always offer a fair settlement, which is why it’s essential to hire an attorney to determine your legal options. An attorney is entirely on your side and will advocate for you when dealing with insurance companies. If a settlement can’t be reached, you can take the driver to court. North Carolina classifies rideshare drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, which means lawsuits against ride-hailing companies are challenging and usually unsuccessful without the help of an attorney.
While North Carolina is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the crash is responsible for damages, it also follows the contributory negligence doctrine. This means that someone can’t recover damages if they were even 1% at fault in an accident, even if the other driver acted negligently. This is another reason why you need a skilled attorney — the other driver’s representatives will argue that you’re also to blame for the crash. Showing that you don’t bear any fault can be a challenging task. While personal injury rideshare accident cases can be complicated, it’s still possible for you to walk away with the compensation you deserve with the help of a lawyer.
Whitley Law Firm represents car accident victims across North Carolina. After an injury, you should focus fully on your recovery instead of worrying about the complexities of insurance and state laws. We can help you get fair compensation that accounts for all you’ve lost due to an accident. Call us at 919-785-5000 or contact us online to schedule a free case consultation.
Whitley Law Firm Injury Lawyers is a family affair—in all the ways that matter. Partner Ben Whitley works with his father and brother to create a formidable force when representing clients. After all, helping injured individuals—people who have the deck stacked against them when fighting corporations—is why the Whitleys got into the business in the first place.
