What Happens If I Get In A Car Accident While Working For Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Uber Eats, Etc?

Driving for companies like Uber, Doordash, and other such on-demand services may provide Massachusetts and New England residents with extra sources of income. However, these jobs also naturally involve being on the road.

You should know what your options are if you’re ever involved in a collision while driving for these companies. Even if you’re a safe driver, you can’t be sure someone else won’t cause a wreck.

Driving for On-Demand Services: The Importance of Understanding Insurance Policies

There’s no one answer to the question “What Happens If I Get In A Car Accident While Working For Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Uber Eats, Etc?” That’s because all these companies have their own insurance policies.

Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the policies of the company you drive for. Know how much coverage they offer and when they kick in. Familiarizing yourself with this information will help you better understand how to proceed after a wreck.

How Massachusetts’s No-Fault System May Influence the Aftermath of a Wreck

Your own insurance policy may be in effect even when you’re driving for an on-demand services company. Again, the nuances of each company’s insurance policy will impact coverage. For example, whether a company’s insurance policy kicks in when you’re driving for a rideshare service may depend on whether you’ve accepted passengers yet.

Thus, it’s worth noting that Massachusetts is a no-fault car crash state. In most states, when a careless driver causes a collision, people who sustained injuries as a result of said collision can seek compensation by filing a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance.

Massachusetts works differently. If you were injured in a crash resulting from the actions or negligence of another party, you may first seek compensation for medical bills and related losses by filing a claim with your own insurance. You might have grounds to seek additional compensation by filing a third-party claim or lawsuit against the negligent motorist who caused your wreck if your injuries are particularly severe. A legal professional familiar with the applicable laws can review your case and explain potential paths for compensation.

The main point to understand is that filing a claim with your own insurer may be your primary means of seeking compensation after a wreck, even if someone else caused it. However, you still need to research the insurance policies of the company you drive for to determine whether their policy may offer coverage based on the circumstances of the wreck.

Steps to Take After a Wreck While Driving for On-Demand Services

After any crash, it’s important to take these steps:

• Tend to injuries requiring immediate attention
• Move away from traffic and other potential hazards
• Calmly check with the other drivers to see if they need any assistance
• Call 911 to report the wreck
• Exchange contact and insurance information while waiting for the police to arrive
• Don’t say anything that might lead someone to believe you caused the crash
• Don’t say anything to suggest you’re not injured
• Ask witnesses for their names and contact information, and whether any would be willing to provide recorded statements at the scene of the collision
• Take pictures of the wreck
• See a doctor immediately after the police give you permission to leave, even if you don’t think you’ve sustained major injuries

Strongly consider reviewing your case with an attorney next. These types of cases can be very complex. You will likely benefit from the assistance of a professional who can go over the details of your case and explain how you may seek compensation. At Swartz & Swartz, P.C., a Boston car accident attorney is also available to provide aggressive representation if you hire us. To learn more about how we can help, contact us online today or call us at (617) 742-1900 to set up your free case review.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know, needs help from a lawyer, contact the law offices of Swartz & Swartz, use our live chat, or send us a message using the form below and we’ll get in touch to assess your case and how we can help.