An Uber ride doesn’t generally come with the same stresses that driving yourself does. You get to skip the traffic stress and the deer dodging while you sit back and enjoy. Unfortunately, that sense of relaxation can easily be shattered in the event of a collision. But when you’re not driving, and you’re paying a professional who was, what are you supposed to do? Here are the steps to take if your Uber driver gets in an accident.
The first step after any accident is to make sure everyone is safe, including you. Do a self-assessment to see if you have suffered from any injuries, and then check the scene for hazards before tending to others involved in the accident. Safety should be the top priority in the moments following the accident. From there, you can turn your attention to other details.
If necessary, call 911 for immediate medical assistance, or contact the highway patrol to assess the scene and determine fault. However, it may be tempting to leave the scene of the accident and get on with your day before the authorities get there, don’t. It’s important to stay and give a statement, especially if you have experienced any adverse effects from the crash. And if you’re injured, first responders can help assess the severity and provide medical care.
Just like with any other car crash, it’s a basic practice to exchange insurance information with the other parties involved. Though your insurance won’t come into play because you weren’t driving, the other drivers’ insurance information may be vital for you to have depending on who bears fault in the accident. Gather the information you can at the site of the incident.
If you are a rider involved in an Uber accident, you can submit a report online. Uber will reach out for statements from everyone involved, checking in on your welfare after the fact. Uber also carries liability insurance to protect passengers and others involved in the accident. Reporting to them will be essential if you do require additional medical care because of an injury.
Be sure to seek medical care as soon as possible if you have been injured. Even minor ailments can develop into a more serious issue after time passes. It’s best to keep track of medical bills, expenses, and treatments in case you need to provide proof of them in the future.
It can be complicated to pick apart the nuances of fault and liability in a rideshare crash, especially as an injured passenger. Rather than go it alone, it helps to enlist the help of a professional like the skilled attorneys at Cok Kinzler. When your life and health have been negatively impacted by events outside of your control, like an Uber crash, it helps to have a third party who can do the heavy lifting while you get back to recovery.
Get in touch with Cok Kinzler today for a free consultation, and get back on track after an unexpected rideshare setback.
