October 31, 2022 | By Greene Broillet & Wheeler
If you are injured in a rideshare crash, it is essential to know what steps to take. While these kinds of accidents can be similar to other types of collisions, they will not necessarily be handled in precisely the same ways.
In a nutshell, some of the most critical things to keep in mind after sustaining injuries in a rideshare collision include the following:
Read on to learn more about these and other steps you should take in more detail below.
If you are involved in a rideshare accident, the steps you take immediately following the collision can be critical. It is important that you:
If you are able to, obtain the rideshare driver’s information. It’s important to get their name, phone number, and address if they will provide it to you. Taking a photo of their driver’s license may be the easiest and fastest way to get that information.
Next, obtain their insurance information – the name of their insurance company and the contact information where a claim can be reported, as well as their policy number and information about their vehicle such as their license plate number. You can also take a photo of their insurance card.
Finally, obtain the information for the rideshare company they were driving for. If they have contact information for where to report a claim to that company, that will be helpful later down the line.
Seek medical attention as soon as you are able to. Even if you don’t have a broken bone and are able to walk, it is important to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries, like a traumatic brain injury or spinal injury, may not be immediately apparent, but seeking treatment right away will ensure that you get the care you need.
The shock of getting into a collision unexpectedly can cause the pain receptors in your brain to be blocked for a period of time. Once the shock of the accident wears off, you may be able to feel the pain of the injuries you’ve sustained.
This is why it is so important to seek medical care as soon as you’re able after getting into a crash. While you may not feel any pain right away, a medical professional will be able to conduct tests to determine whether you have sustained any serious injuries before the shock of the crash wears off, and you’ll have the ability to feel the discomfort.
In addition, the documentation you receive from the medical facility can be helpful to your claim later.
After suffering injuries in a rideshare crash, it is important that you contact the authorities to come and write an incident report that details what occurred in the accident.
While it may seem okay to skip this step, it is essential that you don’t. A police report can provided important evidence in a rideshare accident claim, so it is critical that you call 9-1-1 after a crash. Ask the officers where you can obtain a copy of the report when it’s ready.
You should always speak with an experienced car accident attorney before discussing the details of the accident with the rideshare company or the driver’s insurance company. There is very little benefit to speaking with a risk management representative from the rideshare company or the driver’s insurance adjuster without being represented by a skilled attorney.
A skilled attorney can help you decide what causes of action to bring in your case, gather evidence necessary to support those claims, and properly communicate with the rideshare company and/or insurance company. These companies are focused on maximizing their revenue and unlike a car accident attorney, are not fighting for the compensation you deserve.
A skilled car accident attorney can effectively put significant pressure on insurance companies to make sure they are truly serving their claimants over their bottom lines.
It is important to keep in mind that your rideshare accident injury case will only be as valuable as the evidence you can produce to back up the claims you make about the collision and your injuries. For this reason, it is important that, to the extent that you’re able, you keep all of the documents related to your case neatly organized and in one place.
Try to keep your documents and other case files labeled properly so that the dates are easily found. Having an accurate timeline can be critical in cases like these.
Keeping everything related to the crash organized will not only make it easier for your attorney to sort through your case, but it will also give you the best chances of a favorable outcome for your claim.
These are just a few of the key steps to take if you are involved in a rideshare accident. Seek medical attention as soon as you are able to, and speak with a skilled car accident attorney before talking to the rideshare company or insurance company. Taking these steps can help protect your rights and give you the best chance at getting the compensation you deserve.
If you have sustained injuries in a rideshare collision as a result of another’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation to help cover your losses. You do not deserve to suffer as a result of another’s wrongdoing. Do not hesitate to reach out to our skilled team right away to discuss your options. We will do everything in our power to help make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.