Help With Driving Service Accident Injuries

By Heather A. Long, Esquire

In today’s society it is not uncommon for people to use third-party services as public transportation. These services can be accessed through a mobile device with one click of a button. The car can pick you up at the airport, grocery store, or at a friendly gathering within a matter of minutes. However—a question that is on everyone’s mind—what should you do if your driver gets into an accident and you are injured?

First, and foremost, local law enforcement would need to be contacted. The officer will arrive at the scene and complete a report—in Delaware, this report is called “State of Delaware Uniform Collision Report.” Within this report, the officer will take note of the name, address, and reported injuries from you (the passenger) and the driver. Furthermore, this report will include the crash location, violations, pictures, and statements from everyone involved in the collision. These statements contain how the accident occurred and further descriptions of injuries. If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Your safety is the number one priority in these situations.

Second, you will need to report the accident to Uber/Lyft immediately, depending on the injuries sustained. This report can be filed on the third-party’s website or through a representative phone call. After their investigation, they will determine who they believe to be at fault for the accident. If your driver was not at fault, a claim will also need to be filed against the person who caused the accident for pain and suffering, as well as against your drivers’ insurance for medical bills and lost wages.

You may be asking, what if my driver was at fault, will I still be covered? Yes, you will likely be covered. You will first make a claim against your driver’s insurance, and also may be able to bring a claim against Uber/Lyft as well.  

Third, seek medical attention. These medical examinations document your injuries, provide an official diagnosis and can curb insurance companies from denying coverage—claiming your injuries were not a result of the accident. Medical examinations—first and foremost—help you gain relief from taxing injuries that occurred during a situation you had no control over. These medical records can help you if there is a potential claim. 

Fourth, and maybe the most important, do not accept any settlement offer from the other party that is addressed to you without consulting an injury attorney. If you accept a settlement agreement, a future claim will be nearly impossible. 

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, early consultation at my office is free and will provide you with effective insight into a potential claim. Legal advice protects individuals from the nuanced field of personal injury law. Hiring my office will give you peace of mind that your claim is being pursued for the maximum settlement value, so you can recover without the avoidable stress and energy that comes with settlements. As your legal team, we will fight for justice and fair compensation for all injuries you have sustained. 

For more information, or to schedule a free consultation, please call (302) 565-6132 or email Heather A. Long, Esq. at [email protected]

Bio

Heather has been an attorney for over ten years, and is currently practicing workers’ compensation and personal injury law. Heather worked her way through law school as a paralegal in a personal injury firm. After passing the bar exam, she spent several years working as a defense attorney, representing local, regional and national companies. With the knowledge gained about the inner workings of these companies, she now represents injured workers and personal injury plaintiffs. 

Heather is a graduate of Widener University School of Law, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Heather is licensed to practice law in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.