At the moment you are struck by a car, you didn’t know anything about the driver. The car wasn’t marked as a taxi cab and didn’t have the name of a business on it. It may not be until sometime later that you learn that you were hit by a Lyft or Uber driver.
Identify Your Rideshare Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accident injures are often severe. Whether you were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, a commercial driver, or a private individual, you could suffer a(n):
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
- Broken bone
- Internal injury
You will know about some of your injuries immediately. The pain and symptoms will be obvious. However, you could be hurt and not know it after a pedestrian crash. Accordingly, you should see a medical professional as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Learn Who Should Pay for Your Uber or Lyft Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Your injuries may require extensive medical treatment, many weeks of missed work, and significant changes to your life as you suffer physically and emotionally. You shouldn’t have to incur the financial costs of the accident as you deal with the pain, disappointment, and anxiety that follows a pedestrian injury.
Instead, you should find out who will pay for your accident-related expenses. If the Uber or Lyft driver was not working at the time of the accident, then the driver’s private car insurance should pay for your accident injuries. However, if the Uber or Lyft driver had the rideshare app active, was on the way to pick up a passenger, or had a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash, then the rideshare company’s insurer should pay for your accident injuries. Sometimes, it is not immediately clear which insurer is responsible for paying your damages, and you will need to take specific steps to get the compensation you deserve.
Protect Your Pedestrian Accident Recovery
Some of the steps that you take after a rideshare pedestrian accident are the same as the steps that you should take after any pedestrian crash. For example, it is essential to:
- Have the police come to the scene of the crash. The police will investigate the crash, make sure that you get medical attention, and prevent a secondary accident.
- Gather evidence at the accident scene, if you are physically able to do so. Evidence may include pictures and witness information, for example. However, don’t worry if you can’t get this information because of your injuries. You can still pursue a claim.
- Accept medical help. Medical care is critical for your physical recovery and essential to your legal recovery. Prompt medical care can help establish that your injuries happened because of the accident.
- Be cautious about what you say and do. Do not speculate about the cause of the accident to the police or driver at the scene of the crash. In the days following the accident, do not post anything on social media that could hurt your case. Finally, be cautious about speaking with insurance adjusters who want to pay you as little as possible for your claim.
- Get a copy of the police report. The report will include the results of the police officer’s investigation and identify the driver of the vehicle.
- Talk to a lawyer. An attorney will make sure that all of your rights are protected.
Your pedestrian accident lawyer will use this information to identify the right defendant and protect your fair recovery of past and future:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Other pedestrian accident costs and expenses
Don’t let one more day go by with uncertainty about how to handle your pedestrian accident case. Instead, we encourage you to contact our Wisconsin car accident lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation about your rights. We would be pleased to provide you with a complimentary case evaluation in one of our Wisconsin law offices, in your home, by phone, or by video conference.
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Have You Been Injured In A Wisconsin, Illinois or Iowa Car Accident?
If you've been injured in a car accident you should speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. You can contact us online or call our office directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule your free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers. We have been helping car accident victims since 1964 and service clients throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.
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