You were looking out for your children’s safety in the most reasonable way, but sad to say that in today’s fast lanes, they are not that accident-proof. Even ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, no matter how efficient they may be, still can face safety issues.
When accidents happen involving these services, things can get quite muddy almost instantly, especially if you or your family are involved. You may need some helpful steps, so you know what to take if ever you find yourself in these situations.
Secure Immediate Safety and Care First
Before gearing towards the legal path, your family’s safety needs to come first. Especially if you’re at the scene, check for injuries immediately, and if they’re hurt, call 911 promptly to get medical help on the scene.
Even if their injuries seem minor and they feel okay, getting medical attention immediately is still crucial since some symptoms may not appear right there and then. Also, having official medical records can help you strengthen any potential legal claims later on. Still, prioritize safety.
Contact the Authorities and File a Report
Even if you think it’s quite minor, it’s still best to file a police report of the incident or accident. In many states, police reports are competent evidence that can prompt these authorities to investigate. These processes are quite essential, especially when dealing with insurance companies or pursuing legal action for your loved ones.
Seek Legal Help–It’s Often Needed
When these big companies, Uber or Lyft, are involved, understanding your rights can get quite tricky. If your child or family member was injured, you may need to take legal action so you’ll have the compensation to cover medical costs, lost earnings, or damages for pain and suffering.
As a parent, you may also need to establish legal representation to be able to protect your children’s interests in these cases. The process of suing Lyft for injuries, for example, can become pretty complex, so it’s best that you establish your legal capacity to effectively protect your family member’s interests.
You may need an attorney on your side to make sure you’re not navigating these challenges alone. An experienced legal professional, especially in rideshare cases, can guide and help so you can weigh your options and negotiation steps better.
Understand the Insurance Puzzle
These rideshare accidents often involve unique insurance dynamics, and filing your insurance claim can become quite tricky. For Uber and Lyft companies, they have insurance coverage at the ready for both their drivers and passengers. The catch, however, is that the level of the coverage will depend on whether the involved driver was actively transporting passengers or simply logged into the app.
If the driver during your family accident was actively carrying passengers when the mishap occurred, Uber and Lyft usually have a liability insurance policy cover of $1 million in place. However, going through their insurance policies can be too mind-boggling, so it’s best for you to have an attorney who specializes in rideshare accidents.
Notify the Rideshare Company
After you leave the scene, it’s best to notify the rideshare company about the accident as soon as possible. These rideshare firms, like Uber and Lyft, have their own procedures in place to answer and handle these types of incidents. By reporting the accident through their app right away, you can start the claims process and get the setup moving, especially on insurance processes.
Prepare for Long-Term Considerations
If your child or family member suffered long-term injuries or emotional trauma from the accident, you need to make sure you keep track of their medical treatments and therapy. These can be especially important factors when negotiating settlements with the rideshare company or pursuing your legal claims.
Bottom Line
The emotional challenges that you go through when your family encounters these experiences can seem insurmountable. This guide, however, can help you take relevant and competent steps towards protecting your and your family’s rights, especially if children of tender age are involved.
