What To Do When You Are Hit by an Uber or Lyft Driver in Key West
Uber and Lyft started serving Key West in 2017. Since then, thousands of locals and visitors alike have utilized these ridesharing services.
In general, Uber and Lyft have positively impacted the Key West community. However, this has also led to an uptick in Uber and Lyft accidents. Here is what you should do if you’re ever hit by an Uber or Lyft driver in Key West.
Call 911
Key West is located in Monroe County, FL, which records more than 1,400 car accidents per year, some involving Uber and Lyft drivers.
Whether you’re hit by a regular driver or an Uber or Lyft driver, the first thing you should always do is call 911. Notify the local police of your accident and arrange for police officers to visit the scene of your crash to investigate.
Let a 911 operator know if you or others need emergency medical attention. They can send paramedics to the scene to tend to Uber and Lyft accident victims.
Exchange Information
While you and the rideshare driver wait for police to arrive at the accident scene, take a few minutes to exchange important information. You will need it if you plan to file an insurance claim or take legal action after an Uber- or Lyft-related collision.
Ask the rideshare driver to provide their:
- Name
- License plate number
- Auto insurance information
See whether they are willing to share their contact information, too. This will come in handy if you, your auto insurance company, or an accident attorney need to reach out to them.
Take photos of the UBER or LYFT and all the other vehicles involved in the crash. Take photos from different angles and distances. Possibly most importantly, take a photo of the UBER or LYFT’s license plate.
Seek Medical Attention
If you’re seriously injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, request that the 911 operator send paramedics to provide medical care. If you or your passengers believe you are injured in the accident, you should immediately head to a local hospital for a full evaluation following your crash.
Have medical professionals document any injuries you sustained during the accident, and keep medical records after your visit. Taking these steps may put you in a better position should you need to recover losses against the Uber or Lyft driver who hit you.
If you have a vehicle, YOUR auto insurance (PIP) will pay for the 1st $10,000.00 in medical bills.
If you don’t have a vehicle, but live with a relative/spouse who has a vehicle, THEIR auto insurance (PIP) will pay for the 1st $10,000.00 in medical bills.
Regardless, you can seek your damages (including your medical bills) from the at-fault party.
Hire an Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident can weigh you down with medical bills. It can also lead to you losing wages and possibly force you to stop working for some time or even altogether.
Hiring an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in Key West may help you avoid financial issues stemming from an accident. A personal injury attorney can determine liability in your crash and prove negligence on the part of an Uber or Lyft driver.
Filing claims after Uber and Lyft accidents in Key West is often more challenging than filing them after other types of car accidents. You might face unexpected obstacles, like deciding whether to file a lawsuit against a rideshare driver or the company they were driving for at the time of your crash.
An experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you take the right approach to filing an accident claim in these situations. They will understand the laws concerning liability, ways to seek fair compensation, and all the appropriate filing deadlines to keep your case moving through the system.
Do not speak with any insurance adjuster (or sign any documents) before speaking with an experienced accident attorney.
Trust Us To Handle Cases Involving Key West Uber Accidents and Lyft Accidents
Key West Uber and Lyft accidents have been on the rise ever since the city started allowing rideshare drivers to cater to residents and tourists. If you were in one recently, an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer from Florida Keys Injury can help. Contact us at 786-847-7388 to talk to an attorney about your case.
