Settling your Uber or Lyft accident claim may take several weeks or months. While you might initially think this time frame is lengthy, that is only sometimes the case. It is often essential to thoroughly investigate the accident and determine all anticipated necessary medical treatment before negotiating a settlement. If you or a loved one were recently involved in a rideshare accident, you might be wondering, How long do Uber or Lyft accident settlements take? Although we cannot offer a precise time frame, we can help you better understand factors that might influence the time it takes to settle your Uber accident claim.
How Long Will My Rideshare Accident Claim Take?
Many potential factors influence the length of time to settle an Uber accident claim. Some, none, or all of these may apply to your situation. Our Uber or Lyft lawyers can assess your case and discuss a potential settlement timeline and factors that may affect your claim.
Extent of Injuries and Medical Treatment
One of the most significant factors affecting a rideshare settlement timeframe is the extent of your injuries and necessary medical treatment. The type and severity of your injuries can significantly influence the value of your settlement. Sometimes, an Uber or Lyft accident only requires a cautionary visit to your local emergency room, while other times, it might require extensive ongoing medical treatment. For example, after an accident, you might need any of the following:
- Surgery,
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy,
- Pharmaceutical items, and
- Radiology and diagnostic services.
If you will likely need ongoing medical treatment long after your claim is resolved, those expected costs need to be factored into your settlement. A seasoned accident lawyer can help you determine the present and future medical expenses that should be factored into your settlement.
Who Is Liable?
Who is ultimately at fault or liable for the accident will also influence a potential settlement and can affect the timeline. Determining liability should be easy and not take much time if it’s obvious who is to blame for the crash. However, liability is not always so clear-cut. When it is unclear, your lawyer must investigate to identify the liable party or parties. This can take time but is nevertheless essential to your claim and settlement.
The Insurance Company
Which insurance company handles the claim can affect how long your settlement will take. Both Uber and Lyft obtain insurance coverage through three major insurers, and those carriers have their own unique way of handling claims. Consequently, some are quicker to settle claims than others.
Can an Attorney Help Expedite My Uber or Lyft Accident Claim?
There is no legal requirement to hire an attorney to negotiate your accident claim. However, we strongly recommend all accident victims consult a lawyer when filing an accident claim for damages, especially when up against giant corporations like Uber or Lyft.
Typically, a lawyer can help expedite and ensure your claim is kept on track. This is partly because accident lawyers handle these types of claims daily and are intimately familiar with the procedures, paperwork, and parties involved.
Specifically, an attorney can:
- Negotiate expeditiously and effectively with the insurance company,
- Ensure a complete and thorough investigation,
- Expedite the discovery process, and
- Advocate the case through the court if necessary.
Our attorneys have decades of experience obtaining substantial settlements for our clients, and we will stop at nothing less for you.
Steps to Settlement
The trajectory of an Uber or Lyft accident claim settlement will differ for everyone. The steps involved can vary among claims. However, the steps to a settlement generally go as follows:
- Receive medical treatment,
- Request a copy of the police report,
- Determine the proper defendant and insurance company,
- File a claim and a demand letter,
- Negotiate with the insurance company, and
- Initiate a lawsuit if the case cannot be resolved otherwise.
Remember, even if you have to file a lawsuit, settlement negotiations are ongoing and often required through mediation or arbitration. The courts strongly encourage settlements. So, most cases will not proceed to trial. They will settle pre-litigation during negotiations, or they might settle after the lawsuit is filed but before trial.
Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys
In the tri-state area, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services are a part of daily life for many people. With the prevalence of these services comes more rideshare accidents. You should file a compensation claim if you were hurt in a rideshare accident. At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., we can help you advocate for the maximum settlement and expedite the process to get that check in your hands. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
David Pierguidi and Jared Glugeth understand how hard it may be for you and your family following an accident resulting from someone’s negligent actions. Get the medical treatment you need right away and then call our law firm at any time of day for answers to your questions.
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