When you go on vacation, you want the freedom to enjoy yourself. Whether you struggle with driving in a new city, or you plan to consume alcohol while frolicking on the beach, you may choose to use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft when heading out to dinner or back to your Airbnb.
However, having a professional driver behind the wheel does not mean you are totally safe. According to researchers, the introduction of ridesharing companies has led to a two to three percent increase in the number of fatal accidents across the country.
What to do if your rideshare car crashes
While a car crash is a sobering experience, your level of impairment or exhaustion combined with bodily harm can cause you to become incapacitated. If you are inside an Uber or Lyft during a collision, you should try to take the following steps:
- Call the police
- Seek medical attention if needed
- Collect as much information as possible at the scene
- Document your injuries
- Report the accident to the rideshare company through the mobile app
Who is liable for rideshare-related injuries?
South Carolina is a fault insurance state, meaning the driver who causes the crash is responsible for damages. However, accidents that occur in the commission of a rideshare transaction do not fall under personal liability. Legitimate rideshare companies carry significant insurance policies on drivers during rides, but they are likely to offer you less than you deserve in compensation if their driver is at fault. On the other hand, if the other vehicle’s driver causes the crash, you will need to pursue a claim with that driver’s insurance.
If you suffer a personal injury as the result of a car crash, it may ruin your vacation, but it does not have to ruin your life.