How to Dispute an Uber or Lyft Damage Fee

Get Your Money Back From a Rideshare Damage Fee

Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, have revolutionized the way people access transportation by offering rides to people at more affordable prices than the traditional taxicab. When riding with Uber or Lyft, the rider who makes the request expects to only be charged the fee for the ride itself. However, what they might not be aware of is that they are also susceptible to other fees, such as a damage fee. 

Rideshare is a favored solution for people looking for a ride, however when riders get charged additional fees that were unanticipated, the rideshare company that charged the fee might not be their top choice anymore. What do you do if you get charged a damage fee by a rideshare provider when you are not the person who caused the damage? 

In the sections below, our excellent team of Uber and Lyft rideshare accident attorneys from West Coast Trial Lawyers break down damage fees so that you can feel confident riding free of additional fee charges. 

If you were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident and are seeking legal assistance to acquire coverage for your damages, our 24/7 legal team will assess your case to determine what steps are needed to get you a fair settlement offer. 

What Is the Uber or Lyft Damage Fee?

A damage fee is charged to those who damage an Uber or Lyft driver’s vehicle. Uber offers a compensation of up to $250 based on the severity of the situation. Lyft has five categories of damage fees. This includes:

• No damage: $0
• Small damage: $20
• Moderate exterior damage: $30
• Moderate interior damage: $80
• Significant damage: $150

How Is Damage Reported? 

A damage fee is charged to the rider after the driver sends a report to Uber or Lyft. Uber and Lyft handle a damaged vehicle report differently. Under Uber’s rules and regulations, a driver will be given compensation to cover for damages if they have evidence to back up their complaint. This includes:

• A detailed description of the situation that led to their vehicle getting damaged.
• 3 clear photos of the damaged vehicle taken from different angles within 3 business days of the trip.
• A repair estimate or receipt within five business days of reaching out to the support team. 

When reporting a damage to Lyft, you must:

• Submit a report prior to accepting another ride. The report must include a detailed description about how the damage occurred. You must have this report sent within two hours.
• Mention the passenger who caused the damage and/or provide the ride information.
• Take 2 clear pictures of the damage.

If the driver provides clear evidence of the rider being at-fault for causing damages to their vehicle, then the rider will be charged a damage fee. If a rider believes that they have been wrongfully charged, they will be given the option to file a dispute. 

How to Dispute a Damage Fee 

A rider who feels that they have been wrongfully charged a damage fee from Uber or Lyft can file a dispute in a couple of different ways: 

• Email. A rider will be informed through email when they are charged with a damage fee. This email should state the amount of the damage fee and the reason why it is being charged. The rider is invited to respond to the email should they have any quarrels with the fee charged. However, the response they may receive from Uber or Lyft might not be all that favorable on their end. 
• Rideshare company website. Uber and Lyft offer help for rider’s who believe that they have been wrongfully charged for a damage fee. Uber has a damage fee page that will ask you to sign in to your account to submit your issue. Once you have logged in, Uber will refresh the page and offer a “Share details” section at the bottom. You must fill out your information and select submit. 

On the Lyft website, you can submit a help request. Lyft will direct you to a page where you will select a couple of choices until you reach the damage fee page. Once you are there, Lyft will ask you to reply directly to the email they sent you for a quick response. If you have not received any emails from Lyft in regards to the damage fee, you may select “I still need help” on the damage fee page. This will direct you to another page where you can fill out your information and submit it to Lyft. 

• App. On the Uber app, a rider can review their trips, click on a particular trip, and find the option to submit a dispute for the damage fee they were charged for. On the Lyft app, a rider can review their ride trips, tap “Get Help” and “Request a Review” for the additional fee that was charged to them.
• Bank. A rider can dispute an extra fee charged to their bank, however, the reception for this request can be mixed and dependent on bank policy. 

How to Avoid Damage Fees 

To reduce the chances of getting charged with a damage fee while using Uber or Lyft, we have created a list of tips you should consider taking. 

• Before accepting a ride, review the driver’s ratings and reviews.
• Make sure you understand the company policy before entering the vehicle.
• Respect the vehicle.
• If you notice any damage to the vehicle upon entering, report it to the driver immediately.
• Before beginning a ride, take a photo of the exterior and interior of the vehicle.
• You should also take photos of the interior and exterior of the vehicle after the ride.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you were involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, our skilled personal injury attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you get the compensation you deserve for your losses. We are committed to resolving your legal issues as quickly as possible while receiving the best results. Our clients are represented on a contingency fee basis. If we do not win, you owe us nothing. There is no financial risk to prevent you from reaching out. 

Contact us today by calling (213) 652-5649 or filling out our quick contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate legal team.