Uber Passengers: What to Do If an Accident Happens
Being involved in a car crash, whether as a driver or passenger, is never easy. We don’t leave our homes or places of work anticipating that we will be involved in an accident, so when they do happen, it adds a large amount of stress and burden to our lives through police reports, insurance claims, vehicle repairs, and personal injury care.
However, there is good news when it comes to Uber-related accidents. According to a Uber’s Safety Report, Uber accidents occur at a lower rate than the overall national rate of motor vehicle accidents. This means you are less likely to be in an accident while ridesharing than you are driving on your own or being a passenger in a non-Uber vehicle.
While this lower rate is encouraging and can help put your mind at ease when considering taking an Uber to your destination, it is still best to be prepared on the steps you need to take should an accident occur while you are the passenger in an Uber.
Even if you forget some of these steps in the stressful moments immediately following an accident – that’s OK. Uber accident attorneys like Uberlawyer.com are available to help you through the entire process.
Call 911
Your very first step after being involved in an accident is to call 911 and report the accident along with any injuries that have occurred. This ensures the proper authorities and/or paramedics are sent to the scene immediately to assist.
Having the police at the scene will help make sure that the accident is documented, a police report filed, and proper fault determined. Depending on the state the accident happens in, the assignment of fault is important as it will dictate whose insurance will be primarily responsible for the costs of the accident as well as whether a police citation for the accident needs to be issued.
Gather Your Own Documentation
Even with police on the scene, it is a good idea to document the accident yourself as well, assuming you are not too injured to do so.
Exchange insurance information with all parties involved in the accident and gather your Uber driver’s license and insurance information.
Take pictures and videos of the scene and vehicles from as many angles as you can. This will help the insurance companies when putting together the claim, and help you tell your side of the story should any claim be disputed.
Report the Accident to Uber
It is not just the driver who should report an accident back to Uber. As a passenger you will want to also report the accident as well as any injuries you may have sustained, and there is a place to do this right within your Uber app. Uber will be in touch with you to discuss the accident and gather additional information as needed.
Contact an Uber Accident Attorney
In the days and weeks following an Uber accident, things can get quite complicated. Coordinating insurance companies and ensuring you gain proper reimbursement for medical fees can be daunting. Having an Uber accident attorney on your side to navigate through it all will save you time, stress, and money.
Aside from auto insurance and personal injury coverages, Uber has its own set of conditions that must be met for them to also be held responsible for covering costs of an accident. Their level of coverage is dependent on the type of coverage the driver has, as well as the phase the ride is in at the time of the accident.
Because the coverage that you are entitled to is determined by so many factors, having an Uber accident attorney on your side through it all will ensure you get the compensation you deserve; know your rights as soon as possible.
If you are reading this because you have already been in an accident and are looking for the next steps, we are here to help. Contact us today to speak with one of our Uber accident experts.
