What To Do if You Are Hit By a Drunk Driver in Your Uber/Lyft?
Large rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have changed the way people reach their destinations while traveling and within their home communities. Having a private vehicle transport you with the simple swipe of an app is easy and convenient. Fortunately, the vast majority of rideshare trips are uneventful, but as with any vehicle on the road, an Uber or Lyft ride sometimes ends in an accident. Drunk driving accidents remain a significant problem across the United States, including in Oklahoma. What do you do if your Uber or Lyft vehicle is hit by a drunk driver?
Steps to Take at the Scene of a Drunk Driving Accident in an Uber or Lyft Vehicle
An accident scene is terrifying and chaotic, especially if you or a loved one suffered injuries. When you’re a passenger in an Uber vehicle hit by a driver who appears to be drunk, you should immediately take steps to document evidence if you’re physically able to do so. Make sure to be in contact with a car accident attorney if you were involved in an accident. If you’ve suffered serious injuries, you can ask an uninjured person to use your phone or their phone for you and do the following:
- First, call 911 to report the accident and request help
- Then, use the Uber/Lyft app to report the accident to the rideshare company
- Use your cell phone camera to snap photos of the accident scene while you wait, including the rideshare vehicle, and the other vehicle
- If the drunk driver is acting erratically or in an obviously intoxicated manner, take a short video of their actions
- Give any reasonable first aid and comfort necessary to other injury victims and always accept a ride to emergency services or arrange transportation to a hospital directly from the accident scene
At the hospital, have a complete medical examination and tell the provider about all of your injury symptoms, even if they seem minor. Ask for a copy of your medical report listing your injuries, the doctor’s treatment recommendations, and your prognosis. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and have a consultation with an Uber accident lawyer before you speak to any insurance company representatives.
How Does an Accident Claim Work After an Uber or Lyft Accident With a Drunk Driver?
If you’ve been injured due to a drunk driver colliding with your rideshare vehicle, you can recover compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering through a claim against the at-fault driver. A claim for compensation proceeds independently of any criminal charges against the drunk driver and could include punitive damages. Punitive damages are an additional amount awarded to injury victims when a driver’s actions are particularly egregious. It serves as a punishment and deterrent to the drunk driver.
If the drunk driver is uninsured or underinsured, or your damages exceed the limits of the drunk driver’s insurance, rideshare vehicle insurance provides substantial coverage.
Rideshare companies protect themselves against liability by using independent contractors as drivers, but they do require drivers to carry rideshare insurance that provides up to a million dollars in compensation for injured passengers.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
The rideshare accident attorneys at Dan Davis Law have years of experience in both drunk driving accidents and Uber/Lyft accidents. Because insurance companies commonly dispute claims or point their fingers at the other insurance companies involved, it’s beneficial to have experienced legal counsel representing your rights, documenting evidence of liability, and calculating your damages to maximize your recovery. Call an Uber/Lyft accident lawyer from Dan Davis Law today for a free evaluation of your case.