What to Do If You're Involved in an Uber/Lyft Accident during Your Myrtle Beach Vacation

What to Do If You're Involved in an Uber/Lyft Accident during Your Myrtle Beach Vacation

two crashed vehicles with a woman in one car
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Myrtle Beach is known as being a vacation resort on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast. A string of beaches stretch over 60 miles, where boardwalks consist of restaurants and bars, arcades and amusement parks, and souvenir stands.

To get from one place to another in the city, many vacationers now rely on rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. They just simply request a ride through an app and get picked up by a driver within minutes.

However, car accidents can still happen. If you suffer an injury as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft-affiliated vehicle that is involved in a collision, how will you recover compensation to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering?

Whose Insurance Will Apply?

If the accident was caused by the Uber or Lyft driver, his/her auto insurance coverage will apply to your injuries, whether the driver has commercial insurance coverage or a special provision that covers rideshare drivers.

Keep in mind, most Uber and Lyft drivers do not have these types of insurance policies to cover your injuries.

Fortunately, rideshare companies carry third-party liability insurance coverage, which pays a maximum of $1 million to cover personal injury and property damage per crash. These policies only take effect once the rideshare driver’s own insurance has been exhausted—if they possess the proper coverage.

When another driver is responsible for the collision, then you would seek compensation from the at-fault driver. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injuries or doesn’t have auto insurance at all, then Uber or Lyft will provide $1 million in uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage per crash.

Steps to Take After an Uber/Lyft Accident

If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, take the following steps to ensure you recover the maximum compensation:

  • Seek immediate medical attention – If you have sustained a serious injury, the most important thing is to obtain emergency medical treatment. If your injury is relatively minor, you still need to see a doctor to determine the full extent of the injuries. Adrenaline can mask pain and other symptoms of an injury, so it is better to be safe than sorry by seeing a doctor.
  • Gather evidence – Using your cell phone, take as many photos as possible of the scene of the accident. Make sure you capture the damage on all vehicles involved and especially your injuries. Furthermore, document your recovery process to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries. Also, take a screenshot of the Uber or Lyft ride confirmation to prove you were a passenger in the vehicle.
  • Exchange information with all parties involved – Write down the name, phone number, and insurance provider of all parties involved. Having this information enables you to submit your claim to the right insurer.
  • File a report with Uber or Lyft – You can report the collision through your Uber or Lyft app by submitting all relevant information to a company representative to make them aware of the incident.
  • Request a police report – Contact law enforcement to obtain a police report. This is considered one of the most important pieces of evidence in a car accident claim.

For more information about Uber/Lyft accidents, contact our personal injury legal team in Murrells Inlet at Joye, Nappier, Risher, & Hardin LLC today to schedule a free consultation.