Were you aware that you can get compensated after getting into an Uber accident?
Rideshare accidents have become more common over the past several years thanks to the rise in services like Uber and Lyft. Unfortunately, many people aren’t sure of what to do when they have a dangerous Uber experience.
After getting into an Uber driver crash, you can do a variety of things to get money for your damages and injuries. We’ll cover the main steps to go through to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Here’s what to do if you are in an Uber accident!
Check for Injuries
Immediately after getting into an Uber driver crash, you should check for injuries. You’ll want to check everyone that’s involved to ensure that no one needs immediate attention. Should someone have severe injuries, call an ambulance as soon as possible.
This would also be a good time to see what the damages on your vehicle are like. However, you don’t need to start documenting anything until later. If you’re able to walk around, consider taking a few pictures of everything to ensure you have something.
Contact the Police
After checking for injuries, you should contact the police to get assistance with your situation. After an Uber driver crash, you’ll need to tell an officer exactly what happened. Doing this will establish a timeline of the incident, which is something that people will want to see later if you try to get compensation.
When an officer arrives, they’ll talk to everyone involved (if possible). They’ll also document the scene and check if anyone was under the influence.
If a driver happens to be under the influence, you can expect them to get arrested on the spot. However, an officer will usually spend time figuring out who was at fault before arresting anyone.
Exchange Insurance and Contact Information
When waiting for the police to arrive, exchange insurance and contact information with both drivers. Because you were a passenger, you’ll need your driver’s information in case he was the one at fault.
Uber offers driver insurance, so you may not need the driver’s personal insurance. However, it’s best to have the info to avoid any problems.
Having their contact information will make it easier to inform them of future events when you start seeking compensation. For example, you’ll need to contact them if you plan on filing a lawsuit.
Visit the Hospital
Even if you don’t have any severe injuries, you should visit a hospital as soon as possible. This will allow a doctor to see if you have any internal injuries, such as brain damage.
Aside from getting checked for injuries, visiting a hospital lets you easily establish a timeline, like contacting the police. You’ll receive documentation for your injuries that can later be used as proof.
Document the Scene
Whenever you have the chance, take as many images and videos of the scene as possible. The more you have, the easier it’ll be to prove your case. If you don’t document anything, you’ll have a hard time proving the damages if you seek compensation.
You should also write a description of how the Uber incident occurred. If your driver was at fault, describe what he was doing at the time.
You essentially want to gather as much info as you can while also providing extensive details. This will help you build a stronger case with a lot of evidence.
Notify Your Insurance Provider
Shortly after the Uber incident, you must notify your insurance provider if you want to get compensated for anything. Even though you weren’t driving, you should notify your health insurance provider so they’re aware that you may need medical treatment.
Notifying your insurance provider will give them time to put together a case for you. This will help in the long run as you can get compensation from both your insurance and the person at fault.
Seek Compensation
The last thing you can do after the rideshare accident is start seeking compensation. All of the steps leading up to this will make the entire process simpler, which is why we encourage you to go through all of them.
Seeking compensation is simple because all you must do is file a lawsuit. Doing this will require you to file several documents, so it’s best to hire an auto accident lawyer that specializes in rideshare cases.
You’ll start by filing a complaint, which makes the person at fault aware of what you’re doing. From there, they’ll respond by either defending their case or offering to pay.
If you use these tips, you shouldn’t have a problem winning your case if you take it to trial. However, you should consider accepting the compensation a driver is willing to make outside of court. This will make it easier to get funds quickly while avoiding the bureaucracy of the courtroom.
Now You Know How to Handle an Uber Accident
No matter who’s at fault when getting into an Uber driver crash, using this advice will ensure you have the means to get compensation. Keep in mind that you’ll need to go through all of these steps if you want to increase your odds of getting funded, so don’t skip one.
If you get into an Uber accident, ensure that you check for damages before doing anything else. After doing that, everything else will fall into place as you go through the process.
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