There is nothing more unsettling than being in a car accident. Even if you rely on public transportation and ridesharing, there’s always a chance that you’ll be involved in an auto collision. Every year in the United States, there are roughly six million car accidents.
If you’re driving your own vehicle during an accident, knowing what to do is pretty straightforward. But what do you do if you’re in a Lyft or Uber accident? What if you suffered injuries?
We’re here to guide you through the process. Keep reading to learn more about what to do if you’re involved in a rideshare accident with Uber or Lyft.
Check Yourself for Injuries
First, we understand that being in a car accident of any kind induces stress, anxiety, and adrenaline. Therefore, take a moment to calm down quickly and collect your thoughts before moving forward. If you feel overwhelmed, take some deep breaths and count down from 10.
Then, check yourself for any major injuries. Because of the adrenaline reaction, you may not feel anything immediately.
Assuming you don’t have any major injuries, get out of the vehicle. Minor scrapes, cuts, and bruises are okay. However, you should stay in the car and try not to move if you have any head injuries, neck injuries, or back injuries.
Get the Vehicles Moved Out of Traffic and Ensure Everyone is Safe
Once you determine that you’re okay, check to see if anyone else needs help. At this point, you need to work together to prevent any other accidents or injuries.
If you are not seriously injured, it’s a good idea to get the vehicles moved to the side of the road after an Uber accident. This is especially important if you’re in the middle of a busy intersection or on a roadway with high-speed traffic.
If you can’t move the vehicles for one reason or another, make sure everyone is out of the way of danger. If another driver collides with the wreckage, it could seriously injure anyone nearby.
Call 911
When everyone is safe, it’s time to call 911 to report the rideshare accident. Stay on the phone with the operator as long as necessary and try to answer their questions accurately.
They’ll ask you where you’re located, what injuries are present among the car accident victims, and more. Stay calm and try to talk slowly and clearly. It’s vital to communicate effectively with the 911 operator so they can send the appropriate emergency responders.
Exchange Information With Both Drivers
Next, talk to both drivers involved in the Uber accident and get the necessary information. You need to get:
- Names
- Contact information
- Vehicle information (license plate number, make, model, color)
- Insurance information (policy number, provider, contact information)
This information will be vital for filing an insurance claim and reporting the incident to the police. If you decide to pursue compensation, your Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer will need this information as well.
Gather Evidence of the Accident
Now that you have the necessary information from both drivers, we recommend gathering evidence from the accident scene. The police will conduct their own investigation of the accident scene and will come to their own conclusion about fault and cause.
However, you need to collect evidence for the liable insurance company as well as your Uber accident attorney. Start by taking pictures with your smartphone. Take photos of:
- The Uber or Lyft car
- The other vehicle
- Skid marks and damaged property caused by the accident
- Your injuries
If possible, we also recommend collecting witness statements from bystanders who saw the accident. Be sure to get their names and contact information.
Finally, write down your recollection of the Lyft or Uber accident. You can use the notepad app on your phone or leave yourself an audio recording. You need to document your perspective of the accident while it’s fresh in your memory.
Schedule an Appointment With Your Doctor
Once the police have come and taken everyone’s statements, call your doctor and schedule an appointment to get evaluated. Even if you don’t feel severely injured now, it’s possible that your injuries will present themselves later.
Things like whiplash can settle in several hours and even days after an accident. An official medical evaluation will provide documentation to support future insurance claims. If you decide to work with an Uber accident attorney or Lyft accident attorney, this documentation will be essential for backing your personal injury claims.
Just as importantly, you need to be aware of any damages or injuries so you can seek the appropriate treatment.
Talk to an Uber Accident Attorney
After being in a rideshare accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for your own medical bills, financial losses, or other damages. However, the rideshare company or the liable insurance provider may not be willing to play ball. They may offer you a low settlement or refuse your claim entirely.
In either case, you must work with a Lyft or Uber accident attorney. They can help you understand your case, your damages, and the value of your claims.
An Uber accident lawyer will also help you collect and organize your evidence and further build your case. You need their legal expertise and guidance if you want your case to be successful.
You can view here what steps to take if you’re seeking an attorney for help.
Report the Accident With Uber or Lyft
Finally, you need to report the rideshare accident to the appropriate company (Uber or Lyft). There’s a place on the app where you can report discrepancies, complaints, and accidents.
However, to avoid getting in over your head, we recommend letting your attorney handle the issue. They will be far better equipped to deal with the major corporation and their legal team.
Have You Recently Been Involved in a Lyft or Uber Accident?
If you’ve been in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, follow the steps listed above to make sure you’re interests are taken care of. And remember, you can get a free case evaluation with a Lyft or Uber accident lawyer, so you have nothing to lose by seeking legal counsel.
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