An image reads: Injured in a Lyft or Uber? The text is over a screenshot of a Lyft ride route to the Boston Logan Airport, and the Uber screenshot shows a ride route from Spada Law group's personal injury office in Peabody to the Salem Witch MuseumYou have the right to compensation if you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Massachusetts. Since you are a passenger you have a right to file a claim against whoever is at fault for the crash.

Uber and Lyft rides are a popular and important piece of the transportation puzzle in Massachusetts. Whether hailing a ride to or from the Boston Logan Airport, heading to the North End for dinner, or just doing everyday errands, locals and tourists alike call for about 100,000 Uber and Lyft rides every day. There were an average of 96,000 Uber and Lyft rides per day in Boston proper in 2017

Unfortunately, car accidents are common in Massachusetts, and Uber and Lyft riders are not immune from being injured in accidents. In fact, we are seeing more and more of these cases in our offices.

What Happens if I’m Injured in a Car Accident as a Lyft or Uber Passenger in Massachusetts?

The most important thing you need to know is that if you were injured in a car accident as a passenger in an Uber or a Lyft, you have rights and options. Uber and Lyft car accident injury cases can be more complicated due to the involvement of multiple parties and insurance companies, but skilled car accident injury attorneys at Spada Law Group are ready to assist you.

With about 100,000 Uber and Lyft rides each day in the City of Boston alone, and with 120 car accidents with injuries each day in the state of Massachusetts, injuries while using a rideshare service in Massachusetts are inevitable. 

In total, there are about 145,000 car accidents in Massachusetts on an annual basis, as reported in 2017. This amounts to more than 12,000 accidents state-wide each month and about 400 car accidents per day. About 30% of car accidents in Massachusetts result in injuries.

If you were injured in a car accident while on an Uber or Lyft ride, your first action step should be getting any medical attention you need, and second step should be to call a skilled car accident attorney.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me After I’m Injured in a Lyft or Uber?

Consulting a car accident attorney as soon as possible will allow the attorney to best assist you after your injuries. One of the first things an injury attorney will look into is who was at fault for the accident. Typically, because Uber and Lyft drivers are not considered “employees” of the company, when an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence is the cause of the accident, their negligence does not automatically make the company liable for your injuries.

However, there may be circumstances under which the company could also be liable and it takes a skilled injury attorney to determine this. The good news is, as an Uber or Lyft passenger, you should be covered by a $1 million liability insurance policy. This means there is a certain level of security you can have when pursuing damages after an injury. Uber and Lyft prices may be more than taxicab costs, but taxicabs are only required to carry $20,000 of liability insurance, hardly enough to cover your damages for any substantial injury.

Damages You May be Entitled to After an Injury in a Lyft or Uber Car Accident:

What Should I Do After I’m Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Massachusetts?

If you were injured in a car accident involving an Uber or a Lyft, there are a number of steps to take to take care of yourself, most importantly, and to help bolster your injury case.

Get Medical Attention

The first thing to do after being injured in an accident is to get any medical care and attention you need. Seeing a doctor after your accident is important, even if you don’t immediately notice any pain. Sometimes, it can take a few days or even longer for symptoms to appear.

Especially if an injury becomes apparent a few days after an accident, or even weeks later, having a medical exam soon after the accident helps prove that your injuries actually were caused by the accident and will help strengthen your personal injury case so that you can get the compensation you deserve.

While On The Scene Of The Accident

If you’re not severely injured and are able to take actions at the scene of the accident, here are some suggestions:

  • Call 9-1-1 to get a police report
  • Gather all the evidence and documents that you may need
  • Find out the information of the other driver involved in the accident, particularly their driver’s license and car insurance policy information
  • Information to get from your Uber or Lyft driver: their full name, telephone number, address, and information about their car insurance policy
  • Take screenshots of your ride information to capture the status of your Lyft or Uber ride at the time of the accident
  • Take photos of the scene of the accident and all vehicles and property involved
  • If any witnesses are at the scene of the accident, get their names and contact information.

How Does Insurance Coverage Work In an Uber or Lyft Accident?

If you were injured in a car accident involving a Lyft or Uber, do not talk to anyone’s insurance company or any insurance adjusters until you meet with an injury attorney.

An injury lawyer knows all your rights and the best way to protect and advocate for them. It is possible that your claim could involve the personal insurance policy of your driver, the insurance policy from Uber or Lyft as a company, as well as the insurance policies of any other drivers involved in the accident.

Do not make any statements to insurance companies, do not sign any release forms or any type of paperwork, and do not discuss or agree to any form of a monetary settlement.

One of the complications involved in an Uber or Lyft car accident is that drivers are considered independent contractors, and not employees to the extent that automatically makes an employer (the company) liable for the accident. The companies do, however, guarantee insurance coverage for passengers.

Injured In An Uber or Lyft Accident in Massachusetts? Text or Call East Boston Car Accident Injury Attorney For A FREE Consultation

As Massachusetts car accident attorneys, we know the unfortunate truth: Car accidents in an Uber or Lyft are inevitable.

We’ve helped thousands of people in Massachusetts over the last three decades get the recovery they need after a car accident injury. Recently, Spada Law Group was recognized as one of the Top 20 Car Accident Attorneys in Boston and Attorney Spada was named one of Boston’s Top Personal Injury Lawyers by Boston Magazine We’re here and ready to help.  As personal injury lawyers, you never pay us a penny until we win your case.

We have offices in Chelsea, Peabody, and Worcester, but we proudly serve the entire state and can meet with you remotely from the comfort of your own home. Contact us for a free consultation to see how we can help you get the recovery you deserve after your injury.

Call or Text Spada Law Group for a Free Consultation Today: (617) 889-5000

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