Uber accident? The next steps you need to take

While people may think that an Uber accident is different than other types of accidents, many of the principles of what you need to do right after the accident remain the same. While it is near difficult to impossible to file a lawsuit directly against Uber, there is still an insurance claim involved because Uber drivers are obligated to carry a certain amount of insurance.

Thus, treat documenting this type of accident the same as you would any other type of crash. Here are 5 actions to take after an Uber crash, whether you are a passenger in the Uber vehicle or have been in a collision with one.

Contact the police first in an Uber accident

You will need an accident report to help document your claim. It is difficult to memorialize your claim without one.

Make sure that you provide the police officer with the relevant details of your accident and describe any injuries that you believe you have suffered. The main thing here is that you need some possible proof of what happened.

While the police will not assign liability for the crash, law enforcement may issue a citation to a driver who has broken the law behind the wheel of a car.

Document the accident scene

To prove your claim involves some sort of evidence to help demonstrate the occurrence. Evidence can include taking as many pictures as possible of the scene before the vehicles move at all.

Also, make sure you talk to witnesses. Write down their contact information, as well as their recollection of what they saw.

Take pictures of the cars from every possible angle too. Lastly, get the driver’s contact information.

Get medical help

If you feel pain and discomfort at the scene of an accident, it is vital that you seek medical help immediately. Do not feel the need to “tough it out” as it is not a sign of weakness to have an ambulance come on your behalf if it is necessary.

Prompt medical help will better help prove your injuries, especially the fact that they stem from the accident. The longer you wait to get medical help, the harder it will be to prove your claim.

Sometimes, symptoms may not develop immediately at the accident but can start a couple of days later. When that happens, seek medical assistance as you can after that. 

If you are like most people, you may worry about how to pay medical bills after an accident. In nearly all cases, insurance will cover the bills and will then get paid back from a settlement. Do not let concerns about medical bills keep you from getting the help that you require now.

Uber accident? Contact insurance

Insurance is important, especially when it comes to Uber drivers. That is because you cannot file a lawsuit directly against Uber.

Instead, Uber drivers are independent contractors who do not directly work for the company. Uber drivers are required to carry a certain minimum amount of insurance.

The company also carries insurance, just in case their drivers are uninsured or have not followed the insurance requirements properly. Therefore, your claim against an Uber driver will be a matter that is solely dictated by insurance determinations.

Any lawsuit will be against the insurance company as opposed to against the rideshare company. It is imperative to contact the insurance company as soon as possible to start the process.

Your insurance needs to be aware of the accident immediately so that they have your side of the story as soon as possible. At the same time, do not give any damaging information to the Uber driver’s insurance; they will be trying to find ways to get you to undercut your own claim and you are under no obligation to talk to them.

Hire an attorney

While you will generally be on your own at the scene of an acciden,t unless you can get an attorney there quickly, you do not have to be on your own in an Uber accident. A car accident lawyer can help advise you on how to handle all of the post-accident steps that you need to take to put yourself in a strong position to receive compensation.

An Uber accident lawyer will not cost you anything out of pocket. Instead, this professional is paid from the proceeds of any settlement agreement you reach or jury award that you will receive.

Being in an Uber accident is stressful enough without having to deal with insurance companies and all of the requirements all on your own. So that legal support can provide some comfort.

Do you have Uber where you live? Do you use it and have you ever thought about the legalities surrounding an associated crash?