You’re A Passenger in an Uber Accident — Now What?

One minute you’re in an Uber on the way to your friend’s birthday brunch, the next minute your driver has gotten into an accident. So what do you do now? Since peer-to-peer ride-hailing companies have been around for only about a decade now, there is still plenty of grey area when it comes to financial responsibilities and liability. Prior to the steps listed below, ensure that your uber driver pulls over. The smartest actions you can take following an Uber or Lyft accident are these three steps:

First, as is the case for all car accidents, check for injuries. If injuries are present, call 9-1-1 or visit the hospital to get your injuries checked out (yes, even if they are not that serious). Also, if you are injured, contact an injury lawyer to represent you so you can claim damages as a result of the accident. Your injury attorney will then send preservation of evidence letters (also known as spoliation letters) to the required parties. Depending on the state, you can sue if the ride- hailing company has tampered with or deleted this information.

Second, Call the police to file a report.

Third, gather as much intel as you can. This includes:

• The Uber driver’s name, phone number, insurance information, employee ID, etc.
• The other involved parties driver’s license, contact and insurance information
• Take photos of the damage on both vehicles. This information can be useful when talking to the police, the ride-hailing company and the insurance companies involved.
• Gather accounts from your Uber driver and the other involved party
• Contact details of bystanders that may have witnessed the accident. It may be helpful to record their description of what they saw happen with their permission.
• Report your Uber accident to Uber or whichever ride-hailing provider you rode with. On the Uber app you can go to the tab that says “Trip Issues and Reimbursements” and then to “I Was in an Accident” to report your occurrence. Be sure to choose the correct trip when reporting the incident.

The purpose of gathering as much information as possible is so when your driver or the other involved party’s insurance company begins asking questions, you or your attorney have evidence to back your case. If neither the ride-hailing driver or the other party’s insurance cover your injuries fully, Uber and Lyft have insurance policies in place as a last resort to ensure their passengers are taken care of.

If You Were In An Uber Accident, Talk to a Car Accident Attorney About Your Options

Being in a car accident can be a terrifying experience. The long-term effects can take an emotional toll as well as a physical and financial one. Injuries that occur as a result of car accidents can cause lifelong complications if you do not handle them soon after the accident and thoroughly.

Parrish Law Firm, PLLC helps Uber/Lyft/Taxi/Ride-Hailing accident victims recover damages for their injuries. We provide a no-cost consultation where we can assess your case and determine what you deserve in damages. To schedule yours today, call 571-229-1800.