Steps to Take After Being Involved in a Rideshare Accident
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have made getting rides easier and more streamlined. Now, when you don’t want to drive to the airport or bar, or if you have had just a few too many drinks while enjoying a night out, you have more options than just calling a cab. Rideshare apps give you direct access to affordable transportation. But rideshare drivers are just like any other driver—they’re human, which means they can get into accidents, too.
When you’re riding in an Uber or Lyft and your driver gets into an accident that injures you, you might have the grounds to take legal action.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident
After you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, you might be confused, hurting, and in shock from the whole ordeal, but that doesn’t mean you should just go home and recover. You expected your driver to get you to your destination safely, but their negligence, or the negligence of another driver on the road, prevented that from happening.
Since you trusted your Uber or Lyft driver to keep you safe, there are some things you should do to report the accident to the authorities as well as the rideshare app you used to alert them of the accident. Here are the steps you should take to ensure that you receive the full care that you need after an accident, as well as being able to ensure your rights are protected:
- Call 911. Right after the accident, you should alert the authorities so you can get emergency services on the scene as quickly as possible to help anyone who is injured and make an official report. When the police arrive, tell them what happened, but only stick to the facts. Don’t include any opinions or any information you’re unsure of, and don’t blame anyone for the accident unless the facts are clearly known to you.
- Gather information. After speaking to the police, it can be beneficial for you to gather information from the scene yourself. This includes taking photographs, exchanging contact information with your rideshare driver and any other drivers, and asking witnesses if they would make a statement about what they saw. The more information you can gather, the better idea the police can get about what happened and who was at fault.
- Seek appropriate medical attention. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, you should still seek medical attention. Shock and adrenaline can mask any pain you’re feeling after a collision, so even though you might feel like you’re fine, you could actually be injured. It’s best to be evaluated so that you can start treatment immediately.
- Report the accident through the rideshare app. Whether you were riding in an Uber or a Lyft, you will have to report the accident through the rideshare app. The driver will have to report the accident through their version of the app, but you will also want to report the accident to be sure it has been done.
- Beware of aggressive claims adjusters. After an accident in a rideshare vehicle, you may have to file an insurance claim with your own insurance policy, but you might also be eligible for a claim through the driver’s insurance coverage. When you’ve filed an insurance claim, you’ll likely hear from a claims adjuster who will be trying to figure out what happened, what your injuries are, and how much pain you’re in. Make sure you watch what you say and be honest about your injuries and the pain you’re in when they ask. Additionally, they will want a recorded statement of you. It is usually not a good idea to give a statement to the insurance representative without having legal representation. There is no “requirement” that you give such a statement. If you agree to give a statement, answer cautiously, as the recorded statement can come back to hurt you in your injury case.
- Seek legal advice. Having a lawyer on your side after being in a collision in an Uber or Lyft can ensure that you get the justice you deserve and know how to deal with the entire legal process.
Krzak Rundio Gorman, Injury Attorneys Is on Your Side
You don’t have to deal with a rideshare accident claim on your own. At Krzak Rundio Gorman, Injury Attorneys in Chicago, we understand that getting into a car accident can be traumatic on its own, but when you’re the passenger who is trusting a rideshare driver who is supposed to be professional and get you to your destination safely, you may have no idea where to turn. Reach out to our office today so we can get started on your claim as soon as possible.