With ridesharing surging in popularity, it’s no wonder the U.S. now has 1.7 million rideshare drivers. Of that number, approximately 700,000 drive for Lyft. Lyft drivers serve about 20.3 million monthly active users throughout the country.
One reason behind the high number of Lyft drivers is that it lets them earn extra cash. They can earn as much as $3,200 additional monthly income, depending on the number of rides given.
Most people would welcome an extra $3,000+, but driving for Lyft can raise one’s risk of getting into crashes. After all, the more time you spend on the road, the greater your exposure to other vehicles and road users.
Thus, it pays to know what to do if you get involved in a road incident as a Lyft driver. While we hope you’ll never get into one, it’s best to prepare.
We’ll tell you the steps you must take in such instances, so read on.
Stay at the Crash Site
Anyone involved in a road incident, be it a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian, must stop at the scene. This is especially crucial for motorists, as failure to stop is an offense known as a “hit-and-run.”
A hit-and-run is a misdemeanor offense if the crash only resulted in property damage. It becomes a felony if the incident injures or kills a person.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself for injuries. If you have passengers, ask them how they are and if they’re alright.
If everyone in your vehicle is okay, see if anyone involved in the crash sustained injuries. Call 911 immediately if the incident caused severe injuries.
Contact the Police
If no one is badly hurt, call the police immediately. Do this even if the incident only resulted in seemingly minor damage. With the police on site, they can create a detailed crash and witness testimony report.
Exchange Details With Others Involved
Exchange information with the other involved motorists while waiting for the police. Limit your conversation to asking (and providing) the following details:
- Complete names and contact details
- Auto insurance company names and policy numbers
- Driver’s licenses and license plate numbers
- Vehicle make, model, year, and color
Don’t tell the other drivers anything else besides those pieces of information. Refrain from apologizing or discussing who’s at fault.
Take Photos and Talk to Witnesses
Record videos or take photos of the incident site. Get as many angles as possible, including close-up, bird’s eye view, and panoramic shots. You can use these later when you file a report with Lyft or your insurance provider.
You should also consider talking to potential witnesses. Ask them for permission to record their testimonies, names, and contact details.
Report the Incident to Lyft
According to Alpha Accident Lawyers, Lyft provides insurance coverage for rideshare accidents. It applies to the Lyft driver, passengers, pedestrians hit, and other motorists involved.
However, for Lyft’s insurance coverage to kick in, you, the driver, must be “on the clock.” This means you must have had your Lyft app turned on during the incident.
For example, you must have been driving a passenger for Lyft’s coverage to apply to you. The company’s coverage should also kick in if you were on the way to a passenger who requested a ride. Finally, Lyft should cover you if the crash occurred while you were waiting for a ride request.
If you meet the criteria, report the incident to Lyft immediately.
To report your rideshare accident to Lyft, launch your Lyft app. Then, go to the “Help” tab, tap “Report a safety issue,” choose “Report safety issue or accident,” and click “Accident.” On the next page, provide as many pertinent details as possible, including:
- Your contact details
- A description of the crash
- The crash’s location
- The date and time of the incident
- The other motorists’ information
You’ll also be able to upload photos of your vehicle’s damage. Provide as many of those you’ve taken prior as possible.
Once you’ve submitted the form, expect a Lyft safety specialist to call and assist you with the next steps.
Call Your Auto Insurance Provider
Lyft’s insurance doesn’t apply to you, the driver, if you’re using your car with your app turned off. This includes driving for personal reasons when the crash took place.
In that scenario, you must contact your private or personal auto insurance provider. Inform them what happened and give them the details you would’ve given in a Lyft incident report.
Get a Medical Checkup
As soon as the police tell you that you can leave, your next stop should be at a doctor’s clinic or hospital. Do this even if you don’t have apparent injuries. Many types of crash-related trauma can be internal or have delayed symptoms.
A perfect example is a whiplash injury, the symptoms of which can take days to appear. Even worse, it can result in what doctors call a whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). WAD is chronic, often debilitating, affecting approximately half of whiplash patients.
Traumatic brain injuries and internal organ injuries are also common after car crashes. You may also have bruised or torn soft tissues or nerve injuries.
Left untreated, those injuries can lead to chronic and severe health conditions. So, please have yourself checked by a doctor immediately following a crash.
Contact an Accident Lawyer
If a Lyft incident wasn’t your fault and it injured you badly, you deserve compensation. However, it can be challenging to navigate ridesharing laws and insurance protocols. Therefore, speaking to a car accident attorney is in your best interest.
Contact a lawyer specializing in rideshare incidents and representing rideshare drivers. They could help you file a car accident claim or even take matters to court if you weren’t at fault.
Stay Safe While Driving for Lyft
While you can earn extra income driving for Lyft, it can also put you at a higher risk of getting into road crashes. So before you become one of their rideshare drivers, ensure you have the right coverage. Aside from your auto insurance, consider getting a rideshare insurance policy, too.
Also, keep this guide handy so you know what to do if you ever get into a Lyft accident.
Are you looking for more road incident-related guides? Then check out our post on why you should hire a car accident attorney!
