Car Accident Lawyers
When you’re a passenger in a car and in an accident, it’s likely you have a personal relationship with the driver to work through the claim process to get your medical bills paid. In an accident with a rideshare company, such as Lyft or Uber, getting your bills paid might be a little more challenging. What do you do if you’re in an accident in a rideshare situation? Who pays your medical bills?
After the Accident
Treat the accident like you would if you were a passenger in a personal vehicle. Get medical treatment for any injuries. Document the accident. Get insurance and contact information from all drivers and witnesses. Note the badge number and contact info of the police officer who makes the report. Don’t forget to let the rideshare company know about the accident.
Who Pays the Bills?
The insurance company that pays the medical bills of passengers depends on a couple of factors. First, you look at the laws of the state where the accident occurred. In no-fault states, each driver’s auto insurance pays the medical bills of the driver and their own passengers. In at-fault states, it’s the responsibility of the driver who caused the accident. As a passenger, you will start with the insurance company of the vehicle in which you were riding.
Lyft drivers should carry business auto insurance on their vehicle, because they are using it as a commercial vehicle. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. The insurance company may deny your claim if the driver doesn’t have the right insurance. If this happens, you will have to go up the corporate ladder.
Lyft drivers are not employees, but contract drivers. However, the corporate offices of Lyft do have insurance that covers its riders. If the driver’s insurance denies your claim, you can file a claim with Lyft to get your medical bills paid.
If the process is taking a long time, you may want to use your personal health insurance to pay your bills, but you should keep all the receipts and documentation showing how much you paid. Document mileage to your doctor’s office and any treatment centers. Keep track of any days of work you miss because of the accident.
Talk to an Attorney
After an accident in a commercial vehicle such as a Lyft ride, the insurance companies may be passing the buck around. You should talk to a lawyer, like an Uber accident lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, experienced in rideshare accidents to work through the process for you to get the compensation you deserve.
Thank you to the experts at Barry P. Goldberg for their insight into carsharing accidents.