Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft have become an important part of the transportation infrastructure in Massachusetts. While these services safely transport thousands of people yearly in our state, they are not immune to the risk of accidents. If you are involved in an accident when you’re using an Uber or another rideshare service in Massachusetts, it’s important that you understand your rights and how to recover compensation for your injuries. At the office of Tetzel Law, our experienced car accident attorney can help.

What to Do Following an Accident Involving a Rideshare Vehicle

If you are injured in an accident that involves a rideshare vehicle, it’s important that you take certain actions to protect your right to compensation. Be sure to do the following:

• Call the police. You should be sure to report the car accident to the police as soon as possible, and definitely while you are still at the scene of the accident if you are injured, especially If you require any emergency medical care. Be sure to request a copy of the police report. 
• Gather evidence. As you wait for the police to arrive, take time to gather evidence at the scene. Types of evidence to gather include photos of the accident, eyewitness statements, notes about what happened, and all involved parties’ contact information and vehicle information. 
• Report the accident to the appropriate parties. After you have reported the accident to the police, be sure to report the accident to all other relevant parties, including your insurance company, the insurance company of the Uber/rideshare driver, and the rideshare company. 
• Seek medical care. Failing to seek medical care could hurt your claim, so head straight to the hospital or doctor’s office immediately following your accident. Keep thorough medical records, as you’ll need these for your insurance claim. 
• Follow up. Finally, be sure to follow up with the insurance companies on a regular basis after the accident to ensure that your claim is moving through the process as expected. You should also consider contacting an attorney. 

Which Insurance Company Will Pay for My Injuries?

Navigating the insurance system following a rideshare accident can be complex. While Uber and Lyft both maintain mandatory coverage for their drivers, whether or not the coverage applies depends on which “phase” or “period” the driver is in at the time of the accident. During period zero, the app is off and the driver’s personal insurance policy will apply. During period one, the app is on but the driver doesn’t yet have a rider, so their rideshare policy is limited to just liability coverage. During periods three and four (en route to pick up a passenger and passenger in the car), the policies are in full force. 

If a third-party driver was responsible for the accident, you can file a claim against that driver’s insurance rather than the rideshare insurance policy. 

Call Our Massachusetts Car Accident Attorney

At the office of Tetzel Law, we understand that you may have questions about what to do after a rideshare accident and how to recover the maximum settlement available under the law. Our experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney will aggressively advocate for you and work hard to get you the compensation award you deserve. Call Tetzel Law today at (617) 742-1700 or send us a message online to request your free consultation.