Florida rideshare accidents happen more often than you think. If you’re a driver, it’s important to know what your rights are and how to protect them in the event of an accident. The reality is that Florida isn’t doing much to make sure drivers have the protections they need, but there are things you can do as a driver before and after an accident to help protect yourself. This blog post will walk through those steps for Uber and Lyft drivers in Florida, including what not to do right after an accident, what records should be gathered from passengers, and how medical treatment needs should be handled if necessary.
Assess the damage
The first thing to do after you are in a Florida rideshare accident is to assess the damage. It can be very easy to get distracted and drive away from the scene of an accident thinking you’re fine, but that’s one of the worst things you can do. You may think your car is just a little dinged up, but it could have hidden damage or serious mechanical problems. It’s much better not to move at all than to drive away.
Get the other driver’s information
When you’re dealing with a Florida rideshare accident, you want to make sure that all of your bases are covered, and that includes getting contact info from the person who hit you. If they deny hitting you or don’t have insurance, it can be hard to hold them accountable for anything without this information.
Gather witness information and take pictures of the damage
After you’ve had a chance to assess the situation, it’s time to gather as much evidence as possible. If witnesses saw what happened or came after the fact, make sure that they write down their contact information so you can follow up later if necessary. Also, get pictures of the damage to your car.
If you’re in an accident involving another car, it’s important to get contact information from any passengers riding with them. You’ll need this when the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance or when dealing with their auto policy directly if they do happen to be covered by a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft.
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Protect yourself by calling the police or filing a report online with Uber or Lyft
If you’ve taken all of this information, it’s time to contact either the police or call an Uber/Lyft representative. Don’t do anything until you have done one of these two things so that everything is documented and on record.
Don’t give your passenger a ride after the accident
Uber and Lyft have clear policies that drivers should not be picking up new customers or even accepting requests from customers following an accident. However, it’s worth mentioning again here because you could get in trouble for violating these rules if you pick someone up after a Florida rideshare accident.
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Help your passenger file a claim for personal injury compensation
If you’re an Uber or Lyft driver in Florida, this is just another thing that drivers are required to do. If there’s an injury incurred by your passenger, it will be up to them to file a claim, and it’s up to you as the driver not to take matters into your own hands. If you or they have any injuries, you should contact a car accident doctor in North Miami Beach.
Don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
If there is any damage at all, contact Uber/Lyft immediately so that they can help with medical expenses or other compensation if necessary. In some cases, you may need an attorney, but don’t settle with the other person without consulting one. If they are willing to take responsibility for the accident, there’s no reason why you can’t get what you need.
If you do get in an accident while working for Uber or Lyft, make sure that you know your rights so that they are protected, and no one tries to take advantage of them. We’ve covered some important steps here, like getting information from the other driver, calling the police, filing a claim with your rideshare company, and getting in touch with an attorney. No matter what happens after the accident, don’t give up on pursuing personal injury compensation for yourself or any passengers riding with you at the time of the accident.
