Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are extremely popular in Los Angeles. With just a tap on your phone, you can secure a safe ride home after a night out or get to the airport easily without having to find parking. While ridesharing services provide many benefits, accidents can still happen. If you are a passenger in an Uber and get into an accident, there are important steps you should take. Here is a guide on what to do after an Uber accident as a passenger.
Check for Injuries and Call 911 if Needed
The first thing you should do after an Uber accident is assess the situation. Check to see if you or anyone else involved, including the driver, is injured. If there are any serious injuries that require immediate medical attention, call 911 right away. The dispatcher can send an ambulance and other first responders quickly.
Even if the injuries seem minor at first, it’s a good idea to still get medical attention. Symptoms of injuries like whiplash or a concussion sometimes take hours or days to appear. Getting checked out immediately creates a record of your condition after the accident. This can be important later if you need to file an injury claim.
Gather Information from the Uber Driver
After making sure everyone is stable and does not need emergency care, start gathering important information. Ask the Uber driver for their name, contact details, and insurance information. Get the license plate number of the Uber vehicle as well.
Also, request to see the driver’s Uber insurance card. All Uber vehicles are required to have insurance that covers injuries to passengers. Knowing the exact policy details can help you determine what compensation you may be entitled to if you were injured due to negligence.
Document the Scene and Damage
Use your smartphone to photograph the scene of the accident and any visible vehicle damage. Be sure to get shots of where each vehicle ended up, any debris on the roadway, and damage to the Uber car and any other vehicles involved. Having photographic evidence can provide valuable context later when determining fault.
Also get contact information for any witnesses who saw the crash occur. Their accounts of what happened can bolster your case if disputes arise over who was at fault.
File an Uber Accident Report
Within 24 hours of your accident, open up your Uber app and go to the “Help” section. Here you can file an official report with details of the incident. Include the time, location, and nature of the crash along with any photos you took.
Filing an official report creates a record with Uber. It also lets them know you plan to hold them accountable for any injuries or losses resulting from the accident. This prevents the company or driver from claiming you never notified them there was an incident.
Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you did not go to the emergency room right away, it is still critical to get examined by a doctor after an Uber accident. They can diagnose and document any injuries you may have sustained. Things like whiplash, back and neck injuries, concussions, and broken bones can take time to manifest symptoms. A medical evaluation will uncover any conditions caused by the crash.
This medical record can serve as crucial evidence if you need to pursue compensation for your injuries later on. Accident injury lawyers rely on doctor’s reports to demonstrate the extent of harm done to their clients. So, getting treated quickly is key.
Consult an Attorney About Your Options
Passengers injured while riding in an Uber may have a case to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. The legal team at our firm has extensive experience handling Uber accident claims. We can help you understand your rights and legal options after being a passenger in a rideshare crash.
The laws regarding Uber insurance, liability, and compensation can be complex. Having an experienced attorney on your side levels the playing field and ensures the insurance companies treat you fairly. Our attorneys will deal with Uber and their insurers directly while you focus on recovery. We thoroughly investigate rideshare crashes and build strong injury claims to get our clients maximum compensation.
If you’ve been in an Uber accident as a passenger, contact our office today for a free consultation.
You can visit us in person at 16633 Ventura Blvd. #602 Encino, CA 91436.
Or call now for a free consultation on (818) 659-8588.