If you are involved in an accident while using carpool services, your first priority should be to stay calm. Above all, make sure you are safe. But in order to know what to do if your Uber crashes, you need to know some specific details. This information can be crucial, both at the time of the accident and when filing a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft.
Stay on this page to learn more about how to respond to an accident while using a rideshare app in California.
Immediate Steps to Take if Your Uber Crashes
What happens if your Uber crashes? Knowing what to do in the event of a rideshare accident is important – especially if the victim was injured in a collision as a passenger or driver.
- Check for injuries. Make sure you and everyone else is safe. If anyone is injured, call the emergency services quickly to treat the injuries as soon as possible.
Pull your vehicle to the side, get out, and move to a protected area. If possible and safe, move and leave your car to prevent further accidents.
- Call 911 immediately. Inform the authorities about the Uber car accident and let them know if there are any injuries or serious property damage. Don’t forget to ask for a police report.
- Document the accident scene. Take as much evidence of the incident as you can. This includes pictures and videos of the vehicles and the area, as well as photographs of injuries.
- Exchange information with the other driver. Obtain the names, contact details, insurance information, license plate numbers, and details of any witnesses.
- Notify Uber about the crash. Use the Uber app to report the accident. They will give you instructions on what to do next.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you only have scratches, it is important to receive professional medical care to ensure there are no further injuries.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Contact an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer like Adamson Ahdoot.
FAQs on What To Do After an Uber Crash
How To Obtain a Police Report
The victim must call the authorities as soon as the incident occurs. The police will come to the scene and analyze the collision and the injuries. The officer will conduct an investigation and write a report. In California, this document is available 5 to 10 days after it is completed. It is usually available online. This report is key to filing Uber accident claims.
How Do I Report the Crash to Uber?
If an auto accident occurs during an Uber ride, the person involved must first report the accident through the Uber app. The user has to open the rideshare app, go to “Your Trips,” and find the ride in which they were injured. Then click on “Help” and select “I was in a crash.” Once there, the Uber rideshare app will guide you on how to report the accident.
How Long Do I Have To Report the Accident to Uber?
In this case, California’s statute of limitations and Uber come into play. The victim must report the accident to Uber within 30 days. If the victim wants to file a lawsuit against Uber and/or other responsible parties, the legal deadline is a maximum of two years from when the injuries occurred.
What Type of Information Should I Collect at the Scene?
In the event of an accident with Uber, there are certain pieces of evidence and data that you should obtain to strengthen your case. Firstly, you should make sure you get the details of the passengers involved and the details of the vehicle, including insurance information.
You should also obtain the contact details of any witnesses. It is also important to collect photographic and video evidence of both the scene of the accident and the injuries sustained.
Finally, it is advisable to visit a doctor immediately after a traffic collision. They will give you a detailed medical report of your injuries. You should also collect the police report from the officer who attended the scene. Both the medical records and the police report are essential parts of an Uber accident claim.
How Should I Document the Accident Scene?
The best way to document the scene of a traffic accident is as follows:
- Take pictures and videos of the scene, the condition of the vehicles, the injuries, and the statements of those involved. Anything that may be useful for an Uber accident claim.
- Make notes of details that may be relevant to a lawsuit.
- Write down any comments made by eyewitnesses or people involved.
- Collect the police report.
Is It Important To Get Witness Information?
Yes, it can be the key to your case! Obtaining statements from those who witnessed the accident is one of the most powerful types of evidence in an Uber accident lawsuit. Witness statements are crucial for verifying what happened and supporting your version of events. They can also provide additional details about the incident.
More than 1.5 million people use ride-sharing services in California. With Uber and Lyft as the leading companies with apps, it is estimated that more than 1,000 serious accidents occur each year in California.
Can You Sue Uber if You Get in an Accident
Yes. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident in Los Angeles or anywhere else in California, you have the right to take legal action. However, your case will depend on the circumstances of the Uber car accident. This includes whether you were injured as a passenger in an Uber accident, were a driver for a rideshare service, or collided with an Uber vehicle.
Insurance and Liability in Uber Accidents
As a specialist California injury law firm, our attorneys often handle Uber and Lyft car accident cases. Here are some of the most common questions and answers our injured clients ask us about the legal scope of these cases.
What Support Does Uber Offer After an Accident?
Whether you were a passenger or the driver, Uber offers a range of services to help you in the event of a car accident. Depending on the nature of the incident, Uber will provide support and cover.
Uber’s accident policy provides immediate assistance. In fact, the app has an emergency button to quickly call the emergency services.
In addition, Uber has a team that is ready to respond to and answer questions after the incident. They can coordinate with local authorities if the injured are unable to communicate.
In general, Uber can help in the following ways:
- Insurance coverage.
- Emergency assistance.
- Customised support.
- Replacement car.
- Help with filing a claim.
Is Uber Liable for Accidents?
In a typical accident, Uber is not directly at fault. However, its insurance may cover injuries and damages in California, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Uber is directly liable in cases where the accident was caused by negligence or fault. But how can you sue Uber for an accident? What kind of negligence or mistakes could make Uber liable? Uber could be at fault if their involvement in the accident was a contributing factor in causing the incident.
- Failure to comply with accident assistance obligations.
- Failure to conduct proper background checks on drivers, including criminal and driving records.
- Mechanical failures or vehicle defects not detected by Uber’s inspection.
- Technical or Uber application problems.
Can I File a Claim if I Was a Passenger in the Uber?
Yes, anyone who suffers personal injury or property damage in an Uber accident can file a lawsuit. Holding rideshare companies Uber and Lyft accountable in California may seem overly complex. However, anyone who has been injured in a traffic collision is entitled to compensation. This includes any accident involving a passenger or Uber driver, as well as pedestrians or users of the other vehicle involved.
In order to know whether the victim of a rideshare accident has a valid claim, it is essential to contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer. Legal professionals, such as those at Adamson Ahdoot, can provide information on the process. They will assess the chances of success and investigate the causes of the accident and liability.
What if My Uber Driver is At Fault?
If you use an Uber service and the driver is responsible for a car accident that results in injury, you as a passenger may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Damages will depend on the details of the accident and Uber’s insurance coverage and policy. Personal injury victims may be compensated by Uber’s insurance or through a settlement after suing the driver – and/or Uber itself!
What if the Other Driver Is at Fault?
If you are in an Uber ride accident and the other driver is at fault, there are different options available to both the driver and the passenger. The most common scenario is to sue the at-fault driver and have their insurance company pay for the damages. Uber’s insurance policy can also cover damages if the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover all expenses.
Will My Insurance Cover Damages if I Was in an Uber?
This depends on the type of insurance you have. In most cases, private car insurance does not cover Uber accidents – this must be specifically included in the policy.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After an Uber Crash?
After an Uber car accident, it is crucial to seek the help of an experienced Uber accident attorney. Quality legal representation will guide and assist victims in obtaining fair compensation.
But how do you know if you can sue Uber after an accident? What are the average settlement amounts for an Uber passenger accident? How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for an Uber accident case? All of these questions will be answered when you hire a legal expert. At Adamson Ahdoot, our Uber attorneys do not charge anything until we have secured the injured victims the compensation they deserve.
Our mission is to make the legal process as easy and convenient as possible. We offer free consultations to let victims know if they have a strong case for pursuing an injury lawsuit. We then handle all negotiations with insurance companies and gather the evidence to build a strong case.
With the expert support of our bilingual lawyers, injured victims can reduce their stress and focus solely on their recovery. At Adamson Ahdoot, we will always provide guidance and assistance throughout the process.
Contact Us Today for a Free Legal Consultation
Call us today at (800) 310-1606 or submit your case online to speak with the best rideshare accident lawyer. Our legal team is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. Our services are also available in Spanish.