About 50% of Americans are currently working from home. Remote work, and delivery services, are making it easier than ever to avoid driving. Even when you do need to go somewhere, you can always take advantage of one of the many ride-sharing apps available, like Uber.
However, while ride shares make day-to-day life more convenient, you still have to prepare for the possibility of a crash. If you want to know the right way to handle an accident in an Uber, then this article is for you! We’ll review the best course of action for staying safe and recovering after a crash takes place.
Read on to learn the top tips for handling an Uber accident, the right way.
Check for Injuries
The very first thing you should do following an accident in an Uber is to check yourself for injuries. After checking yourself for injuries, take a moment to see how your passengers are doing. If you feel it’s safe to do so, it’s always a good idea to move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic. When there isn’t any oncoming traffic, you can safely exit the vehicle and call the police for help.
Uber Accident Injury
If your Uber accident is minor, can you avoid calling the cops altogether? Nope! Even when a car accident seems small, It’s always a good idea to get the authorities involved.
If you wind up having serious injuries, later on, you’ll be glad you got the police involved. All it takes is speeds of 5 mph for injuries like whiplash to occur.
Seemingly minor injuries like whiplash can develop into a debilitating problem that takes months to fully recover from. Involving the authorities is especially important when you’re dealing with the Uber accident since the legality of a ride-sharing accident can complicate things.
Get a Police Report
One of the most important reasons to call the police is so that you can get an official copy of the police report. Insurance companies and Uber accident lawyers will be able to use the police report to help determine fault. If you don’t call the cops, you’ll wind up in a big, he-said-she-said case, that can cause you all sorts of problems.
Gather Evidence
Once the authorities are on the way, the next step is to start gathering evidence. You can begin by scanning the accident scene for any potential witnesses.
If you find a potential witness, politely ask them for their contact information. Eye witness testimony can be an incredibly valuable tool when it comes to winning a personal injury lawsuit.
Next, take photographs of the accident scene. You’ll want to photograph all of the vehicles involved, as well as the roadway conditions. If there were extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, take photographs of the puddles in the street. The more photos you get, the better off you’ll be.
Moving on, when you’re giving your testimony to the police, be sure to get the officer’s full name and badge number. Oftentimes, police reports contain errors, such as the wrong responding officer’s name or information. By getting the most accurate information possible, you’ll have an easier time if your case winds up going to court.
Budgeting for an Accident Lawyer
Are you worried about affording the cost of a personal injury attorney? The good news is that it’s easy to set up a free consultation with experienced lawyers. During your consultation, you can provide your accident lawyer with all of the evidence you’ve gathered for your case. After reviewing the details of your case, an experienced Uber accident lawyer will be able to tell you whether or not you need legal help.
If you wind up needing legal assistance, you can explore different types of payment plans. For instance, it’s common for attorneys to offer contingency payment plans. If you set up a contingency payment plan, you won’t have to worry about large upfront costs. Instead, the attorney will receive a portion of your Uber accident settlement.
Avoid Social Media
Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and other social media apps can be a major downfall when you have an open personal injury claim. Doing something as simple as posting that you’re feeling optimistic about can be used against you by insurance companies.
Unfortunately, public posts are heavily scrutinized when somebody has an open personal injury claim. Insurance companies will look for any opportunity to discredit your injuries. To avoid damaging your case, it’s a good idea to avoid social media altogether.
You can talk to your attorney about when returning to social media would be safe. However, it’s likely your attorney will suggest you avoid social media until you’ve received your settlement award.
Report the Accident on the App
Failing to report the accident on the ride-sharing app could delay the payout process. When you’re at the accident scene, and you’ve already gathered all of the evidence you need, go ahead and take a moment to report the Uber accident on the ride-sharing app. Next, reach out to your insurance company to let them know you’ve been involved in an accident.
Tips for Talking With Insurance Companies
Lastly, let’s review some of the top tips for talking with insurance companies. Your insurance company, and the other driver’s Insurance company, don’t necessarily have your best interests at heart. Instead, it’s an insurance company’s main objective to pay out as little as possible when a crash takes place.
The words you choose when you speak to the insurance company have a major impact on the type of payout you receive. For instance, an insurance adjuster might try to get you to downplay your injuries.
If an insurance company ever asks you to give a full report to the extent of your injuries, let them know that you’re not a licensed medical professional. Stick to the facts, and don’t make any guesses about the future prognosis of your injuries.
Recovering From an Accident in an Uber
There you have it! Now you know some of the best tips to follow after an accident in an Uber. Since handling the aftermath of an accident can be confusing, get a trusted attorney in your corner today. If you need help setting up a free consultation, you can reach out to us using our contact us page.
Not sure if you’re ready to set up a consultation? Call us anyways with whatever questions you might have about the accident. One of our team members would be happy to help out, so you don’t have to go through this alone!