Who pays the cost of injuries after a rideshare accident?

If you rely on rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft to get around the Miami area, you run the risk of an accident involving your driver. In this situation, injured passengers are often confused about who should pay the cost of their medical bills. They may not even realize that they deserve compensation. 

Take these steps if you or a loved one suffers catastrophic injuries in a rideshare accident.  

Seek care for injuries

Get medical help right away after a crash, even if you think you are not injured. Some types of injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, do not show symptoms immediately. Keep careful track of all medical visits and resulting expenses.  

Call law enforcement

Contact the police at the scene if you are able to do so. A law enforcement officer will help gather evidence to determine fault in the accident, including images and video of the collision location and interviews with involved drivers and passengers as well as eyewitnesses.  

File an insurance claim

Because a rideshare driver falls into the category of an independent contractor, he or she must carry commercial auto insurance. You can file a claim for your injuries directly with the driver’s insurance company. If another driver caused the accident, the insurance company will pursue compensation. 

If the driver does not have insurance or has insufficient coverage for your injuries, you may be able to file a claim directly with the service you used. Taking action immediately after this type of accident can facilitate the process of receiving damages for your medical bills and other related expenses.