There are more than 5,000,000 car accidents in the US every year.
Under any circumstances, a car accident isn’t ideal. With the rise of Uber, however, things have become a bit more confusing on the road. If you’re involved in an Uber accident, you might not know what happens next or what you need to do.
In this guide, we’re going to cover everything you need to know. Keep reading for more.
What Happens After an Uber Accident?
Like any auto accident, an Uber accident can have a lot of variables. One of the most important things that determines what happens next is who was at fault. Insurance coverage also plays a big part in what follows.
Uber offers certain liability cover for Uber drivers who are at fault in an accident while waiting for a ride request. This coverage is for up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. They also cover up to $25,000 for property damage.
This changes if an Uber driver is at fault when they have a passenger in their car or are on the way to pick one up. In this scenario, Uber provides cover for up to $1,000,000 plus some other benefits.
If the driver of the other vehicle is the one at fault in the latter of these scenarios, you could file a claim against them. The outcome of this will depend on the insurance coverage that the at-fault driver has.
What Should You Do?
Some car accidents can be far worse than others. In smaller accidents, you might be uninjured (or at least think you are). Regardless of any noticeable injuries, there are certain things you should always do.
Report the Accident
Many people will immediately report any rideshare accident to the police, but some forget to report it to Uber. If you want Uber’s insurance policy to cover you, this is an important step.
Contacting the police is also essential. While a police report isn’t admissible in court, it could help you when it comes to your insurance claim.
Document as Much as You Can
You want to get as much evidence from the accident as possible. Take photos of all the vehicles involved and write down all the details you can as if you were writing your own report. You should also keep records of any medical treatment you receive as a result of the accident.
Having all this evidence will help show who was at fault. Without it, it could simply be a matter of your word against theirs.
Gather Information
Take down the names and contact details of everyone involved in the accident, as well as their insurance details. If there are any witnesses, you should get their details too.
Seek Medical Assistance
If you have any immediately obvious injuries, you should get them looked at straight away. In some accidents, people will be seemingly uninjured. It’s important to understand that some injuries can take weeks or even months to show obvious signs, and during this time they can get worse.
Even if you think you’re fine, you should get a medical exam done as soon as you can after the accident. This will ensure that you get any treatment you need if you do have any unexpected injuries.
Refuse Any Premature Settlement Offers
You might feel mentally foggy or overwhelmed after an Uber accident. Opposing parties will sometimes take advantage of people in such a state. They might try to offer a settlement as they know it would be better for them than the lawsuit you would file instead.
Don’t take any settlement they try to offer you. If you take it, you won’t be able to back out later on.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
It’s essential that you hire an attorney that specializes in things like car accidents and personal injury cases. They’ll negotiate a better settlement than what the opposing party might originally offer you.
The legal proceedings following a car accident can be very complicated, so you won’t be able to deal with things yourself. Finding a lawyer that has experience with similar situations is ideal. Take a look here to get more information about how a suitable lawyer can help you.
Handling an Uber Accident
Various things can happen after an accident that will affect how your lawsuit goes. Even if you don’t plan on retaining a lawyer, you should still schedule a consultation with one. They have a good understanding of such situations and can provide valuable information.
Make sure you get a copy of the police report as it could come in handy later on. You should also be sure to file a claim with the relevant insurance company. You might need to put some pressure on them for a resolution.
One of the most important things to remember is that you should never settle for less than the value of your claim. This is why a car accident lawyer is so important, as they will know what your claim is worth, so they’ll make sure you’re not taken advantage of.
Dealing With an Uber Accident
No one ever wants to be in a car accident. If it happens to you, it hopefully won’t be a bad crash, and you’ll walk away unharmed. Regardless of the severity of an accident, you should seek legal assistance to ensure you can make an appropriate claim.
For an Uber accident, things can sometimes be more complicated. As such, you want to find a lawyer that knows how to deal with such cases so they can get you the best outcome.