Ridesharing mobile apps have transformed transportation over the last decade. They’re convenient, affordable, and super easy to use, which has fueled their fast growth.
But with so many people using Uber and Lyft, there are bound to be accidents. Before getting in the car with a ridesharing company, know what to do if you’re involved in a rideshare accident as a passenger.
We’ll walk you through the important steps you should take and when you might consider pursuing an Uber accident lawsuit.
1. Call 9-1-1
After an accident, take a moment to check yourself and any other passengers for serious injuries. Call 9-1-1 regardless of the severity of your injuries so that they’ll come out and document the incident.
Law enforcement will investigate what happened and file a police report detailing that information. A police report will help prove your case if you sustain serious injuries and need to pursue a personal injury claim.
2. Collect Information From the Drivers Involved
Gather contact information from all drivers involved in the accident. Don’t just settle for getting information from the rideshare driver, as they might not have been at-fault for the accident. Or, you might need a statement from the other driver involved to further solidify your case.
Once you have contact information of both drivers, also gather the contact information of any witnesses present. This might include other passengers in the vehicle you were riding in or passengers from the other vehicle involved.
Here’s a list of information you should collect following an accident:
- Driver’s license
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance information
3. Note the Year, Make, Model, and License Plate of Involved Vehicles
Collect information about the vehicles involved in the accident. This can help if any of the identifying information the drivers or witnesses provided turns out to be faulty or fake. Knowing the year, make, model, and license plate for the car can give you more information to track a person down.
4. Take Photos of the Vehicles and Accident Scene
If you’re well enough after an accident, it’s a good idea to take photos of the vehicles and accident scene.
Some accidents require drivers to move a safe distance from an intersection or the roadway to avoid further accidents. In these situations, do your best to photograph the location where the actual collision took place. This might include road markings, signs, or tire marks on the roadway.
Be as thorough as you can when taking photos. While you might not be a professional in documenting car accidents, trust your instincts and photograph anything that feels even slightly relevant.
5. File a Claim With the Rideshare Company
As soon as possible, open a case with the rideshare company indicating that you were involved in an accident. The rideshare company will then open a case to review the circumstances.
The sooner that you open a case, the fresher the accident details will be to facilitate a report. Hopefully, your driver has also reported the accident to their employer, but don’t assume that to be the case. Some drivers avoid claiming an accident because it can affect their ability to continue driving for the company.
6. Discuss the Matter With an Attorney
Once you’re in a safe place, get in contact with a Florida rideshare accident attorney. Indicate that this is not a regular car accident case, but a potential Lyft accident lawsuit or Uber accident lawsuit. Detail what happened and provide the documentation from steps one through five above.
Your attorney will begin handling your interactions with the insurance company and other parties involved in the accident. At Goldman and Daszkal, we know the challenges of being a passenger in a rideshare accident. We’ll protect your rights and ensure someone else’s mistakes don’t harm your financial wellbeing.
Schedule a free consultation for more information.