Uber’s latest safety report claims that its rides are twice as safe as regular trips made in a vehicle in the United States, but this doesn’t mean they are 100% safe. Uber accidents still occur, and being involved in an Uber accident can leave you just as confused and unsure about what steps to take next as with any other traffic collision. Would you know what to do immediately following a crash to protect your:
- Health
- Finances
- Insurance payout
- Legal rights
Read on to learn the steps you should take next, from ensuring your safety at the scene to doing everything you can to secure compensation. Lastly, learn how Kaplan Law Group, experts in Las Vegas law, can help you in the aftermath of such an incident. Discover how to get the compensation you deserve.
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
First of all, stay calm. While it may be difficult, try to focus on the steps you need to take to ensure the safety of all people at the location.
Your first step in post-Uber accident protocol should be to check whether you or others involved in the accident are in immediate danger. If they are, move them to safety to ensure no further harm comes to them.
Remember that moving people may exacerbate some injuries, such as in the case of a neck injury. If that is the case, make the best decision that, in your opinion, will cause the least harm. Or, if someone has first aid training, defer to them for the best course of action if possible.
If the vehicles are likely to cause a further accident, and it is safe to do so, move these out of the way, too. If not, use appropriate hazard signs to warn drivers of the situation. Then, you should check for injuries and provide basic first aid to anyone who needs it.
Call Emergency Services
Once people in the immediate area are safe, call the emergency services. If there are injuries or the possibility of further loss of life, or if you need to handle another issue, tell someone else explicitly to call the emergency services and ensure they do it while you handle other things. It is common in such situations to believe that “someone else will do it,” so giving one person that responsibility can ensure it occurs.
When you call 911, you need to provide the person on the other end with:
- Location information
- Number of vehicles involved
- Number of people involved
- Any apparent injuries
Avoid giving any details of the crash while on the phone. Similarly, when the police arrive, allow them to inspect the scene and then request a police report along with the officers’ badge numbers in case you need to follow it up later. If the police question you, respond truthfully but avoid admitting fault, speculating, or explaining your mental processes.
Gather Essential Evidence at the Scene
It may sound strange to say that one of the rideshare accident steps you should take is to gather evidence. However, you cannot always have the assurance that everyone else will respond truthfully to questions. In many cases, the police may not notice something relevant, or an individual may clear away evidence without thinking it is noteworthy.
You should aim to collect:
- Photos of the vehicles and any damage both far and close
- Photos of the larger scene for context
- License plates
- Traffic signs
- Road conditions
- Injuries both at the time and later
Ensure you get each of these from multiple angles to build a comprehensive account of the scene.
Remember to collect the information of anyone involved in the accident and any witnesses. The information you will need includes:
- Names
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Addresses
- Which vehicle (if any) they were in
Also, make a brief written record of the environmental conditions such as weather, lighting, and road hazards. You may benefit from creating a small overhead drawing of the scene showing the positions of the vehicles and key landmarks to provide more context.
If any nearby businesses have security cameras, or if traffic cameras exist close by, attempt to source video details from them. A legal professional will understand your legal rights and know the footage request process if you cannot source it for any reason.
How to Report an Uber Accident to Uber
When an accident occurs, you must follow a set of rideshare accident steps. First of all, use the app to notify Uber support of the accident to ensure they have documentation of its occurrence.
First, review and understand the Uber accident compensation terms and check if they apply to your situation. While your driver may have rideshare insurance, Uber will have their own accident-related policies. Then, write in and provide accurate details that match those who have told others if possible.
As this process may take some time, do it as soon as you can when you know you will have enough time to inform them of everything.
You will want to follow up on this over time to confirm they are processing your request and taking it seriously. Check the Uber app for more information on this.
Seek Medical Aid and Legal Advice for Uber Accidents
After the immediate issues are complete, you will want to ensure you have performed your due diligence. As such, ensure that you:
- Visit a doctor even if injuries seem minor
- Keep all medical records for potential claims
- Consult a lawyer specializing in rideshare accident law
- Avoid discussing the accident on social media
These professionals will help protect you from future liability or harm. They will also be able to offer advice from both professional spheres to ensure the best outcome for you.
Take Action Now to Protect Your Claim
Uber accidents may be rare, but taking the right steps immediately after one can safeguard your health and finances. If you have received an injury, you deserve compensation, and Kaplan Law Group is here to help with such a situation.
We can handle the complexities of cases involving rideshares and traffic collisions. Talk to us for advice on avoiding falling victim to Uber insurance tactics or missed deadlines. Call us today for a free consultation and learn what else we can do for you.
