What Should I Do After an Uber Accident?
Michele Mirman | Accident | August 16, 2019
Uber has transformed the way you can travel to, from, and around the city of New York. Every day, thousands of drivers roam the city’s streets, waiting for passengers to request a ride. Here’s the thing, though, NYC Uber drivers aren’t professionals. They’re everyday people trying to earn some extra cash.
There’s no guarantee that you’ll be safe when you catch a ride or share the road with an Uber. It’s no surprise that a lot of New York City’s car accidents involve Ubers.
You might not realize that the steps you take after you’ve involved in an accident in an Uber – whether you’re a passenger, pedestrian, or in another vehicle – matter. The things you do immediately after your accident can affect your health and your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you need to do.
Report the Accident to Police and Uber
Police reports might not be admissible as evidence in a civil lawsuit, but they can be incredibly important as you pursue compensation. When you’re in an accident, call the police immediately. Ask to have an officer sent to the scene. When they arrive, they’ll document the accident and record important details about the crash.
These details – including weather and traffic conditions, witness names, and even diagrams – are easy to forget down the line. When you decide to file an injury claim or lawsuit, your attorney can rely on the accident report as they conduct their own investigation.
Don’t forget to tell Uber that you’ve been involved in an accident, too. You may ultimately need to seek money from Uber’s $1 Million insurance policy. The insurance provider might fight you if there’s no formal record of your accident.
Document the Accident and Relevant Information
Your memory of your Uber accident will fade with time. It’ll get harder to remember where it happened, who was involved, and how it happened. Take a few moments to take photos of the Uber and any other vehicles involved.
Document the damage. Snap a few shots of the scene from different angles and distances. There might be details relevant to your case that you don’t notice. Your attorney – or our accident experts – might.
Don’t just limit yourself to photos of the scene. Take pictures of your injuries. Talk to witnesses or other passengers. Ask for their contact info or recollection. Write down the events as you remember them.
Any evidence you capture now can be helpful in the future. Your lawyer can use what you’ve gathered as a baseline for their own thorough investigation.
Get the Hospital, Even If You Don’t Think You’ve Gotten Hurt
Don’t skip a trip to the emergency room or your doctor just because you think you’re okay. You might have sustained internal injuries. Some injuries, such as whiplash, might not by symptomatic right away.
A trip to the doctor can make sure that all of your injuries are identified and treated right away. You’ll prevent them from getting worse and putting yourself at risk of severe complications.
Seeing the doctor isn’t just about your health. It’s also about establishing a causal link between your Uber accident and injuries. The sooner you go to the doctor, the stronger that link will be.
Don’t Accept Offers or Negotiate Before You Speak With a Lawyer
Uber accidents can be complicated because there might be several parties involved. There’s the Uber driver, other negligent third parties, and insurance companies. They’ll all try to point the finger at one another.
If the Uber driver is at fault, liability will ultimately depend on how (and if) they were using the Uber app at the time of the crash. Simply put, negotiating a settlement can be quite difficult.
The best thing to do is let an experienced attorney handle all discussions with other parties and insurance companies. This will help to protect you and prevent insurance companies from driving down the value of your claim.
An experienced personal injury attorney will fight to maximize your compensation and hold all liable parties accountable for your injuries.