Using a vehicle to carry passengers for a fee requires a commercial auto insurance policy to cover injuries sustained by passengers of ride-sharing vehicles such as Lyft and Uber. But when a third party causes the vehicular crash or collision involving the ride-sharing passenger, the injured passenger may also have a claim for compensation against the insurance company of the party at fault.
Third-Party Causing Lyft Passenger Injuries
A problem may arise when the insurer of the party at fault fails to act on the personal injury claim, making it difficult for the injured party to obtain appropriate medical treatment. This was the situation for a Lyft passenger who was injured in an accident in March this year.
The passenger, who was on vacation from Australia, suffered back and neck injuries as a result of a crash involving the Lyft vehicle he was riding in and another car that ran a red light. Immediately after the incident, the drivers of the vehicles decided not to call law enforcers to the scene after they assessed that no one was seriously injured in the collision. But the Lyft passenger, who hit the car’s side window during the crash, said that he suffered whiplash and experienced excruciating pain on his neck and shoulders.
Because he did not have travel insurance, the Lyft passenger approached the at-fault driver’s insurance company for medical compensation. The at-fault insurance company asked the injured party to produce a doctor’s report assessing his injuries in order to process his claim. The injured party spent $220 to see a doctor who examined him and made a report of his back trauma and recommended chiropractic care. After receiving the medical report, the at-fault driver’s insurance company only offered to pay $250 to cover the injured party’s doctor’s visit.
Months passed, and because the injured party could not afford the required treatment and no insurance company would cover his treatment expense, he has not seen any chiropractor or specialist to treat his back pain.
Who Is Responsible for Personal Injury of Ride-Sharing Passenger?
A ride-sharing company’s insurance company may be liable for any injuries that passengers may suffer while on a ride obtained from the app. In the case of Lyft, a spokesperson said that the company’s insurance covers both Lyft passenger and driver from the time the driver accepts a ride request. But for injuries caused by a third party, the claim is processed through the third party’s insurance. Even with the at-fault party’s insurance, Lyft’s insurance policy may become involved in cases where the third party does not carry insurance or is under-insured.
What to Do After an Accident on Board a Ride-Sharing Vehicle
If you are injured while onboard a Lyft, Uber, or another ride-sharing vehicle, it’s important to get immediate treatment for all your injuries. In Las Vegas, Nevada, the law firm of Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen can help you get financial compensation to cover all your medical expenses, lost wages, and damages for your pain and suffering. Call us today at (702) 505-8115 for a free consultation with one of our dependable attorneys.