When you get into a rideshare vehicle, you never quite know the state of the driver who is operating the car. You are literally placing your life in their hands. The driver may not be committed to your safety, and they may do something such as drink before they transport you as a passenger. If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident that involved drunk driving, you have legal options for compensation. In some cases, you may even be able to sue the rideshare company for what happened to you. 

Get Medical Help for Your Injuries

Your first focus after suffering any type of personal injury is always going to be on your health. See a doctor who can diagnose and treat your injuries. Then, make sure to stick with your treatment so that you can prove that you took steps to mitigate your damages. The medical records that you receive from a doctor will be used to prove that you have been injured and how your physical condition has impacted your life. You should always err on the side of caution in getting all the medical help that you need.

Hire an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer

When you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, there is the potential for several insurance companies to be involved in your case. Their focus is not on the fact that the driver was drunk. Instead, they are trying to manage their own bottom line, and they do not want to pay your full damages. You need an experienced attorney who can put pressure on the insurance company to do the right thing in your case.

Moreover, you are also up against a potentially difficult legal process that you must navigate to receive full compensation. This is not something that you can do on your own, especially when you are dealing with serious physical injuries. 

Document the Damages That You Have Suffered

When you are seeking money for a personal injury, you are the one who has a legal obligation to not only prove liability, but also demonstrate your damages. The insurance company is not going to trust your verbal account of how your life has been affected by your injuries. Instead, they must see persuasive documentation to accept what you have represented. If you have any documentation of the damages that you have received, including medical bills and evidence that can prove how your life has been affected, make sure to retain it and give it to your attorney so that they can use it to pursue full compensation.

Seek Compensation for Your Injuries

You can file a claim for compensation when you have been injured in an accident involving an impaired Uber or Lyft driver. These companies maintain an insurance policy that is intended to compensate you when one of their drivers injures you. In some cases, you may need to deal directly with the insurance company to get the money you deserve.

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, there is a chance that you may even be able to sue Uber or Lyft directly. Ordinarily, you cannot sue these companies because the driver is an independent contractor. However, when a driver was drunk, you may be able to make a valid legal case for negligent hiring and retention. Uber and Lyft are obligated to conduct intensive background checks on their drivers, and they may have missed the fact that this particular driver may have been prone to operating a vehicle while impaired. 

Mt. Pleasant Uber and Lyft Car Accident Lawyers at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC Will Help You Through the Legal Process After Your Rideshare Accident

If you have been injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, speak to the Mt. Pleasant Uber and Lyft car accident lawyers at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC. We can guide and represent you throughout the legal process, fighting for you to get full and fair compensation. Call us at 843-727-6500 or complete the online form to schedule a free case evaluation. We have offices in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Aiken, and Columbia, South Carolina, and we serve clients throughout the state.