What Happens If a Car Accident Involves a Rideshare Driver?

While rideshare drivers are working behind the wheel, they have the same responsibilities as everyone else on the road. This means that they must obey Wisconsin’s traffic laws at all times, and they must avoid getting distracted by their phones. 

Unfortunately, car accidents involving rideshare drivers are far more common than they should be. From speeding and tailgating to being distracted by GPS directions or the Uber or Lyft app, these accidents have a number of common causes. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a rideshare driver, you have clear legal rights, and you should talk to a lawyer about taking legal action promptly. 

Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident Involving a Rideshare Driver in Wisconsin 

Fundamentally, your legal rights after a car accident involving a rideshare driver in Wisconsin are no different than they are after any other collision. Among other things, this means that:

• You have the right to find out exactly why the accident happened 
• You have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver 
• You have the right to file a claim against any other liable parties 
• You have the right to seek compensation for your financial and non-financial losses
• You have the right to hire a lawyer at no out-of-pocket cost

In most cases, seeking compensation after an accident caused by a rideshare driver will involve filing a claim under the driver’s insurance policy. Wisconsin law requires that rideshare drivers carry the following types and amounts of coverage: 

• When Logged In to the Uber or Lyft App But Not Providing a Ride: $25,000 in property damage coverage, $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, and $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• When Providing a Ride: $1 million in property damage and bodily injury liability coverage

While all rideshare drivers should be covered, Uber and Lyft also carry liability insurance that covers their drivers’ accidents. As a result, if you cannot obtain the coverage you need under the driver’s policy, you should be able to file a claim with Uber’s or Lyft’s insurer—provided that the rideshare driver was at fault in the collision. 

Proving and Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Collision Involving a Rideshare Driver in Wisconsin

Although you have clear legal rights after a car accident involving a rideshare driver in Wisconsin, it is up to you to prove and protect these rights. If you are wondering what happens after a car accident involving a rideshare driver, the answer is, “Nothing”—unless you take action. 

Whether you were injured as a passenger, pedestrian, or driver, there are steps you need to take to make sure you can seek the full compensation you deserve. To maximize your chances of securing the full insurance coverage to which you are legally entitled, you should: 

1. Prioritize Your Medical Needs

First and foremost, you should prioritize your medical needs. If you were seriously injured in a collision involving a rideshare driver, getting the treatment you need will be important for protecting your health and your legal rights. 

2. Hire a Lawyer to Investigate

Proving liability will require a thorough investigation. With this in mind, you should hire a lawyer to investigate promptly. Your lawyer will be able to send a forensic investigator to the scene, seek to obtain the rideshare driver’s phone data, and take any other steps that are necessary to prove liability. 

3. Start Documenting Your Losses

Going forward, it will be important to document your losses resulting from the accident. You should start by being sure to keep copies of your medical bills, employment records, receipts, and any other relevant documentation. 

4. Be Very Careful About Dealing with the Insurance Companies

While you can report the accident to your auto insurance company, you need to be very careful when doing so. The insurance companies are not on your side, and you will want to rely on your lawyer to deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. 

5. Work with Your Lawyer to Make Smart Decisions

From deciding how much financial compensation to seek to deciding when (and if) to settle, you should work closely with your lawyer to make smart decisions. You only get one chance to file a claim, so you need to be confident that you are making the right decisions for the future. 

Discuss Your Rideshare Accident with a Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyer for FREE

If you need to file a claim for a car accident involving a rideshare driver in Wisconsin, we encourage you to contact us promptly. 

Contact the Wisconsin car accident lawyers at Studinski Law, LLC today online or at (715) 343-2850 for a FREE case evaluation. We proudly serve all of Wisconsin, including Plover, Marshfield, Stevens Point, and other areas.