An increasing number of people — especially those living in major cities — are now choosing to sign up for car-share services. As the number of people using this type of arrangement increases, so do injuries and collisions, so here is what to do if you have been involved in one.
What is a car-share accident?
Car-share accidents are collisions that occur between two or more vehicles while one, or both of them, are being used for car-sharing services. Most people who sign up for this type of arrangement have owned a vehicle previously themselves but have traded it in for a service that allows them to rent out the vehicle when they do not need it. This means there is often a mix of experts and novices on the road at any given time, meaning collisions are increasingly likely.
So, what should you do after a car-share accident?
1. Claim insurance from a car share accident
If you have signed up for car-share services, whether it is through Lyft, Uber, or something else entirely, your policy will normally cover you in the event of an accident. If not, then perhaps consider signing up with one of the companies so that you are covered wherever you go. You can also check if your own insurance covers any driving done to collect passengers. Once you claim insurance from a car share accident and settle any immediate medical concerns following a collision, then take time to inspect both vehicles that were involved in order to see what has happened. Make sure that this process is carried out by someone who knows what they are doing so that you can be sure of what needs to be done.
2. Ask the police to investigate the accident and gather evidence
It is quite possible that the police will attend the scene of any car-share accident, so don’t be surprised if they already know about it or arrive shortly after you. A lot of times they may not need to take a statement from either party, but there are occasions where they will ask for this information. When speaking with the police, make sure you provide them with as much information as possible about what has happened. The more evidence gathered at this point, the better your chances are of getting compensated fairly for your injuries and any other costs incurred due to the accident itself., take yourself to a doctor or medical professional in order to check that you are okay.
3. Get checked by a doctor or medical professional
As soon as possible after a collision, you should visit a doctor or other medical professional to ensure that everything is okay. Sometimes if the accident itself was not too bad, but other people were involved, you may need treatment for any injuries sustained. In some cases, even if it seems as though everything is fine, there can still be unseen damage which will only become apparent later on down the road. This is why it is important to get checked out as soon as possible after an accident, and a doctor or medical professional will be able to tell you if anything is wrong.
4. See a lawyer
One thing that people forget about when they require claiming insurance from a car-share accident or their own policy, is that they will need to speak with either an adjuster or their own lawyer about the case. This is especially significant if you are intending on filing a lawsuit against somebody else who was involved in the accident, as this requires even more work and paperwork. Make sure that whoever is dealing with your case knows what has happened because otherwise, it can be difficult to win any settlement or compensation for injuries.
Who pays for your car-share accident claim?
As mentioned previously, many car-share services have insurance that covers their users whenever they are getting someone from one place to another. This means you should make a claim through the first and foremost in order to take full advantage of their insurance policy since this will give you the best chances at being fully compensated afterward. The police report could also affect who pays for the accident, so it is important to make sure you get one whenever possible. If you are not covered by your own insurance for whatever reason, then it may end up being the responsibility of the other party involved in order to pay for any damages sustained.
If you have been involved in one of these accidents, then there are certain steps that should be taken after the event before too much time passes by. So, if you don’t know what exactly to do, look at this guide above, and it will make it easier to figure stuff out going through the whole process.
