What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Indiana?

If you were hurt in a crash with a Lyft or Uber vehicle, call 911 if you or someone else needs medical assistance and to report the crash. You should also obtain contact and insurance information from each driver involved in the accident. You should also report the accident to the rideshare company through their mobile application or website. Finally, reach out to a rideshare accident lawyer to help you pursue financial recovery for the losses you suffer.

Contact Truitt Law Offices for a free initial claim evaluation. You can discuss your legal rights and the next steps to take with an Uber/Lyft accident attorney from our firm.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents?

Rideshare drivers have numerous demands on their attention when they’re behind the wheel, including safely operating their vehicle, following navigation directions, managing ride requests, and interacting with passengers. Unfortunately, this can lead Uber and Lyft drivers to engage in careless behaviors such as:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving, including excessive speeding or swerving through traffic
• Aggressive driving or road rage
• Tailgating
• Double-parking or stopping in a traffic lane
• Failing to signal or check mirrors before turning or changing lanes
• Making unsafe or illegal turns
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy or fatigued driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

What Insurance Do Uber and Lyft Carry for Their Drivers?

In Indiana, Uber and Lyft provide insurance to cover their drivers while they’re driving for the platforms. The amount of insurance coverage varies depending on the circumstances at the time of the rideshare accident. These coverages include:

• When the driver has logged into the mobile application and does not have an active ride request: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, plus $25,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage
• When the driver has accepted a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle: $1 million of combined liability coverage

If an Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident while not logged into the mobile applications, their personal auto insurance coverage applies.

What Compensation Can I Recover in an Indiana Uber/Lyft Accident Lawsuit?

The financial recovery you can obtain after an Uber or Lyft accident in Indiana includes the following:

• Costs of repairs for your vehicle or reimbursement for the value of your totaled car
• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Costs of long-term care and support for permanent disabilities that result from your injuries
• Ongoing and future losses of income and loss of job benefits due to temporary or permanent disability from work
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment and quality of life due to disabilities or permanent scarring and disfigurement

What Information Should I Gather at the Scene of a Rideshare Accident?

Information you need to collect at the scene of an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle includes:

• The rideshare driver’s license and registration information
• Insurance, license, and registration information from other drivers involved in the accident
• Eyewitnesses’ contact information
• Accident scene photos and videos, including visible injuries you suffered, vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic controls, visual obstructions, and weather, lighting, traffic, and road conditions

After the accident, you should request a copy of the police accident report if law enforcement responds to the scene. You should also request any surveillance, traffic, or dashcam footage of the accident.

How Should I Handle a Phone Call with an Insurance Adjuster?

Here are some tips if you receive a call from an insurance adjuster representing the rideshare service:

• Give limited details – Keep your answers brief and to the point. Don’t speculate or exaggerate when describing what happened in the accident.
• Don’t admit fault – Refrain from taking responsibility for the accident or saying anything that may seem like an admission of fault, such as “I didn’t see the other car” or “I’m sorry.”
• Refuse to give a recorded or written statement – Adjusters have training and experience with asking questions designed to get you to say something the insurance company can later use as evidence against your claim.
• Don’t sign a medical records release – Insurance companies may want to comb through your entire medical history for any sign that your claimed injuries may have occurred due to a prior injury or pre-existing condition rather than the trauma of the accident. Watch out for seemingly ordinary questions like “How are you feeling?” If you respond, “I’m fine,” the insurance company may argue that you didn’t suffer severe injuries in the accident or that you have recovered from your injuries.
• Don’t accept the first settlement offer – You may not realize the extent of your injuries right after a rideshare accident. By accepting a quick settlement, you may recover far less than full compensation for all your losses from the Uber or Lyft accident.

Finally, keep your guard up when talking to an insurance adjuster. The adjuster may sound genuinely concerned about your health and any financial difficulties you have, but the adjuster’s sole focus is saving their employer money by finding reasons to minimize or deny your insurance claim.

How Long Do I Have to File an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit in Indiana?

Under Indiana’s statute of limitations on injury lawsuits, you have two years to file suit after suffering an accident involving an Uber or Lyft. If you file your lawsuit after the statutory period expires on your Uber or Lyft accident claim, the court may permanently dismiss your case. Contact a rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t lose your right to pursue compensation in court by filing an untimely claim.

Contact an Indiana Uber/Lyft Accident Lawyer

Reach out to Truitt Law Offices today for a free, no-obligation consultation to speak with an Indiana Uber or Lyft accident lawyer. We can discuss your legal options for recovering compensation for the injuries or losses you sustained in a crash. Let our firm help guide you through the claims process and advise you on the steps you need to take to get compensation after a Lyft or Uber accident in Indiana.

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What Should I Do If I Am Involved in a Hit and Run Accident in Indiana?

If you get hurt in a hit-and-run car accident in Indiana, call 911. Next, write down anything you remember about the other motorist and their vehicle. Information such as a license plate number, the make and model of the car, and the driver’s appearance might help police to locate the driver. After you have sought medical treatment, make sure to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer as early as possible.

How Common Are Hit and Run Accidents?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 682,000 hit-and-run accidents occur annually. In one recent year, 737,100 hit-and-runs occurred.

A driver might leave the crash scene because they fear getting into trouble. The most common reasons for hit-and-run accidents include:

• Lack of insurance — According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 16 percent of Indiana motorists lack legally mandated insurance. A driver might flee an accident scene to avoid a traffic citation for driving without insurance.
• Outstanding warrant — If there is an outstanding warrant for a driver’s arrest, fleeing the scene might seem better than getting arrested. Some drivers take their chances and drive off before law enforcement arrives.
• Driving under the influence — It is illegal to operate a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. An impaired driver may leave the scene to avoid criminal charges.
• Lack of license — Driving without a valid driver’s license is also a crime in Indiana. Car crashes often involve police investigations. Fleeing might seem more appealing than remaining at the scene to avoid civil or criminal penalties.

Are You Required to Stay at the Scene and Render Aid After an Accident?

Yes. According to the Indiana Code of Motor Vehicles, any motor vehicle driver involved in an accident must:

• Stop the car immediately at the accident scene or as close to the scene as possible to avoid obstructing traffic.
• Remain at the scene until providing their name, address, and motor vehicle registration number to anyone involved in the crash.
• Show a driver’s license to anyone involved in the collision or attending to a car involved in the accident.

If the car wreck leads to someone’s injury or death, the motor vehicle driver must also:

• Provide anyone injured or entrapped by the crash with reasonable assistance as directed by medical personnel, law enforcement, or a 911 operator.
• Provide immediate notice of the accident as soon as possible or ensure someone else gives notice of the accident to a 911 operator, county sheriff’s office or nearest state police post, or the local police department, whichever is fastest.

Are There Criminal Penalties for Fleeing the Scene?

Yes. It is a crime to flee the scene of a car crash. The penalties outlined in the Indiana Code of Motor Vehicles depend on the circumstances of the accident.

Leaving the scene of a car accident is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by no more than 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. The offense increases to more serious penalties if specific factors apply, such as:

• Bodily injury — A hit and run resulting in someone’s bodily injury can lead to a Class A misdemeanor charge. Sentencing can include a maximum of a $5,000 fine and up to one year in jail.
• Moderate or serious bodily injury — If a hit-and-run causes another person’s moderate or serious bodily injury, the offense is a Level 6 felony. It can lead to six months to two and a half years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
• Death — A hit-and-run accident causing someone’s death is a Level 4 felony. Penalties can include up to a $10,000 fine and between two to 12 years in prison.

Will Insurance Cover Me After a Hit and Run?

Seeking compensation for your injury after a hit-and-run is challenging if you cannot locate the driver. However, you may have options such as:

• Uninsured motorist (UM) — This coverage pays for accident-related expenses when the at-fault driver lacks the required liability coverage or flees the scene of a crash. It is not mandatory coverage in Indiana. So, you must review your policy to determine if you have it.
• Medical Payments (MedPay) — This insurance is another optional form of coverage. It is immediately available after a crash, regardless of who is at fault. It can cover medical expenses, such as doctor’s appointments, diagnostic testing, hospital stays, and prescriptions.
• Collision insurance — Pays for vehicle damage regardless of who is to blame.

What Should I Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Taking the following steps after a hit-and-run accident can help to protect your health and safeguard your rights:

• Immediately notify the police — Call 911 to report the crash. Provide as many details as possible about the driver’s appearance, car, and anything else you can remember.
• Collect evidence at the accident scene — If your injury isn’t too severe and it’s safe to walk around, collect evidence at the scene. Take pictures of damage, road debris, and anything else you see that might help your case.
• Speak to witnesses — Talk to bystanders who saw the crash. Ask for their names and phone numbers. They might give a statement to the investigating officer or insurance company or testify if your case goes to trial.
• Seek medical attention — Go to the emergency room for an examination, even if your injury doesn’t seem serious. A doctor can diagnose you and might recommend follow-up care. Continue to treat your injury regularly until your medical providers release you from their care.

Our Indiana Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers Want to Help You

At Truitt Law Offices, we have more than 40 years of experience fighting for the rights of injured motorists in Fort Wayne and throughout Indiana. We will treat you as a priority and provide the quality representation you deserve. You can always count on our team to work hard for you and work tirelessly to recover all compensation you are due. Contact us today for a free consultation with our Indiana car accident lawyers.

The post What Should I Do If I Am Involved in a Hit and Run Accident in Indiana? appeared first on Truitt Law Offices.

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