As ride-share programs like Lyft and Uber continue to surge in popularity, it’s more important than ever for drivers and passengers to be prepared for worst-case scenarios.
“In any motor vehicle accident, there is some level of finger-pointing between insurance companies as they try to pass the blame to someone else,” says Iddins Injury Law Attorney Christian C. Pearson. “The more people, vehicles, and insurance companies involved in an accident, the more drawn-out and complicated proceedings can become. That’s why an accident involving a ride-share service can quickly turn into a major headache for everyone involved.”
While passengers are generally immune from penalties in the event of an accident, they can still get caught up in the fallout, especially when seeking compensation. Pearson shares his top five tips on how to handle a vehicle-related accident, whether it involves your own car or a ride-share service.
- Call emergency services: Whether it’s a fender bender or something more serious, the first step after any collision is contacting emergency services. Even if no one appears injured, a police report is still necessary as it plays a key role in the insurance process, says Pearson.
- Take pictures: Document all damage to your vehicle as well as other vehicles, including any ride-share cars, even if you were not the one driving.
- Swap information: Make sure you get contact information, names, and insurance information from everyone involved, including passengers and especially the driver if you were utilizing a ride-share service.
- Visit your doctor: A head injury or other injuries may not be noticeable at first due to shock and adrenaline, says Pearson. Getting checked out as soon as possible can ensure that any injuries that did occur are documented by a medical professional. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to correlate any injuries back to the accident.
- Contact a lawyer: Even minor accidents can become complicated once insurance companies get involved. The more insurance companies, the more you need a lawyer on your side, and often with ride-share services, there end up being multiple insurance providers fighting amongst themselves on who is to blame.
“One of the many benefits of calling a lawyer is having them contact an accident reconstruction service to help determine who’s at fault,” explains Pearson. “It’s also crucial to contact a lawyer as soon as possible if anyone sustained injuries as a result of the accident. Lawyers can help you determine clear timelines and prove or disprove if an accident is actually to blame for an injury.”
Reach the personal injury law team at 253-270-3370 or by email at info@iddinslaw.com. You can also visit them at their new office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 13240 SE 272nd St, Kent, WA 98042, right off Kent – Kangley Road, next to Walgreens.
Find more information about Iddins Law Group online at iddinslaw.com, and by following them on Facebook.
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