Riding to work in an Uber or Lyft vehicle is almost like having your own chauffeur. You can take care of business on your phone, read the morning news, or chat with other passengers during the long ride. Although ridesharing is an up-and-coming method of transportation, there has been a rise in the specialty vehicle accidents. From sprains and strains to major internal injuries, the accident damages are across the spectrum in seriousness. If you or someone you love has been injured in a Lyft accident, here are some steps you should take before you contact a car accident lawyer.
Report the Accident
An accident with injuries requires a police officer at the scene. He or she will fill out a police report with an event number you can use when you report the incident to Lyft using your app. Your attorney will be able to use the report number when he or she contacts Lyft about the accident, and you should always include the number in any correspondence you have with Lyft to leave a paper trail of information.
Gather Photo Evidence
If you are able, use your phone to take recordings and photos of both cars, the Lyft driver, and the accident scene. Take a recording of your injuries and any discussion of your wounds with the on-scene paramedics or hospital nurses. The photos and recordings can be used as evidence in your case to avoid insurance agencies from denying your injuries.
Get Witness Statements
If your accident was on a main street, there are probably many people who witnessed the incident. Make sure you get as many statements about the event as you can, including the names and phone numbers of the witnesses. If possible, make recordings of these statements on your phone and supply the videos to your lawyer.
Seek Medical Treatment
You should seek medical treatment from doctors and nurses as soon as possible to document your medical injuries to the fullest extent. Many injuries are hidden internally, and it is crucial that you get an examination in case any sudden pains or damages flair up after the adrenaline subsides. Don’t be surprised if it takes two or three days for evidence of your injuries to show how exacerbated the problems are.
Make sure you take your evidence to a qualified Lyft accident lawyer, as soon as you are able to seek compensation for your loss of work, physical damages, and pain and suffering. Remember, there are statutes of limitations in place, so you don’t want to wait for months to seek compensation.