At Connell Law Firm, we focus on helping people who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Based in Lugoff, South Carolina, our team handles cases involving car accidents, rideshare injuries, wrongful death, and more. We work directly with our clients, offering honest guidance and strong representation every step of the way. When you work with us, you get personal attention and a commitment to fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Pedestrians hit by rideshare drivers in South Carolina often face serious injuries, high medical bills, and confusion about who is responsible. As rideshare services like Uber and Lyft continue to grow, so do traffic crashes involving these vehicles. Knowing what to do after a pedestrian injury can protect your health, your rights, and your chance to recover compensation.

In this blog, you will learn what to do after a pedestrian injury involving a rideshare driver, how insurance coverage applies in South Carolina, and why working with an experienced Lugoff rideshare accident lawyer can help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Immediate Steps After the Accident

If you suffer a pedestrian injury after being hit by a rideshare driver, your actions in the first few minutes and hours matter. These steps protect your health, legal rights, and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

Call 911 and Report the Accident

Your safety is the first priority. Move out of the roadway if possible without causing further injury. Call 911 immediately. Request police and medical assistance. A police report will document the accident scene, which is critical for any insurance claim or future legal case. Responding officers will record witness statements, issue citations if needed, and file an official report that includes crash details.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Some serious injuries are not obvious at first. Even if you feel fine, go to a hospital or urgent care. Internal injuries or concussions can worsen quickly. Medical records help link your injuries to the rideshare accident. They also help you prove damages later when seeking compensation from an insurance company or the at fault driver.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

If you are able, take clear photos of the rideshare vehicle, your injuries, and any visible property damage. Get the driver’s name, phone number, and insurance details. Ask if they were logged into a rideshare app and whether a passenger was in the car. These details affect which insurance policy applies. Collect contact information from any witnesses before they leave.

Avoid Making Statements to Insurers

You may receive calls from an insurance company shortly after the accident occurred. Do not admit fault or guess about what happened. Anything you say can be used to weaken your claim. Politely decline to give a recorded statement. Contact a rideshare accident lawyer before discussing the accident with insurers. This protects your rights and prevents costly mistakes.

Notify the Rideshare Company

After a pedestrian injury involving a rideshare driver, it is important to report the incident to the rideshare company as soon as possible. This helps confirm that the driver was using the app and may activate the company’s insurance coverage.

Report the Incident Through the App or Website

Most rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have a way to report accidents through their mobile apps or websites. You can select the ride in question and follow the steps to submit a report. Include details such as the date, time, location, and a description of how the accident occurred. If you are unable to do this yourself, a friend or family member can assist.

Confirm the Driver’s Status at the Time of the Crash

The insurance coverage that applies depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the crash. If they were not logged into the app, only their personal car insurance applies. If the app was on but no passenger was assigned, limited coverage applies. If the driver was carrying a passenger or was on the way to pick one up, the rideshare company may provide up to $1 million in coverage.

Preserve Communication Records

Save copies of any emails, app messages, or confirmation numbers you receive from the rideshare company. This information may be important if there is a dispute later about who is responsible or what insurance policy is in effect. Share these records with your rideshare accident lawyer to help support your insurance claim and increase your chance of receiving fair compensation.

Understanding Rideshare Insurance in South Carolina

If you are an injured pedestrian in a rideshare accident, you need to understand how rideshare insurance works under South Carolina law. The type of coverage available depends on what the driver was doing when the crash happened.

South Carolina Law Requires Rideshare Insurance

Under South Carolina Code § 58-23-1610 to § 58-23-1680, transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft must provide specific levels of insurance coverage. These laws define when a rideshare company must cover an accident and how much compensation may be available to victims.

Coverage Depends on the Driver’s Status

Rideshare insurance varies depending on the driver’s activity:

• App off: Only the driver’s personal car insurance applies. This may not cover injuries to pedestrians.
• App on, no passenger: The rideshare company must provide at least $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 per crash, and $25,000 for property damage.
• Passenger assigned or in the car: The rideshare company must carry up to $1 million in liability coverage. This applies to both passengers and injured pedestrians.

Pedestrians Can File Claims Against Rideshare Insurance

If you are hit by a rideshare vehicle, you may be eligible to file a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance policy, not just the driver’s personal policy. This is especially important if the driver has minimum coverage or denies fault. You must prove that the driver was logged into the app and working at the time the accident occurred. A rideshare accident lawyer can help confirm the driver’s status and file the proper claim.

Why You Need a Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Hiring a rideshare accident lawyer gives you the support you need to protect your rights and pursue full compensation after a pedestrian injury involving a rideshare driver.

Legal Experience Protects Your Claim

Rideshare accidents involve multiple insurance policies, different levels of coverage, and disputes over who is at fault. An experienced rideshare accident attorney understands how to gather evidence, read the driver’s insurance policy, and file the right type of claim. Without legal help, you risk missing deadlines or making statements that could hurt your case.

Connell Law Firm Handles Rideshare Injury Cases

Connell Law Firm represents victims of rideshare vehicle crashes across South Carolina, including those injured while walking. Our firm has handled cases involving both rideshare companies and motor vehicle operators who caused harm to pedestrians. Our team focuses on getting compensation for medical bills, lost income, and long-term injuries. Connell Law Firm offers a free consultation, so you can ask questions without obligation.

Insurance Companies Do Not Work for You

The goal of any insurance company is to pay as little as possible. Adjusters are trained to shift blame or delay payment. A rideshare accident lawyer acts in your interest and manages all contact with insurers. This reduces your risk of accepting a low offer or having your claim denied.

Focus on Recovery, Not Paperwork

After a pedestrian injury, your time and energy should go to medical treatment and recovery. A lawyer handles the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations. If your case goes to court, you will have legal representation to present your case. With the Connell Law Firm, you have a legal team that focuses on facts, acts quickly, and pushes for full financial recovery.

Consult With an Experienced Lugoff Rideshare Accident Lawyer ASAP!

If you’ve suffered a pedestrian injury in a rideshare accident, taking action now can make a difference in your recovery and your ability to secure compensation. At Connell Law Firm, our team understands how to handle complex cases involving rideshare drivers, multiple insurance policies, and serious injuries.

Contact us at [phone] for a free case consultation today!