Many Bakersfield residents rely on rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft to travel from place to place. While these services may seem safe and reliable, Uber and Lyft drivers are not exempt from accidents. If you are in a collision while riding in an Uber or Lyft, it is important to remain calm and take a series of important steps to gather evidence, protect yourself, and secure the compensation you need to recover.
Call 911
First, call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement. The responding officer will create a police report that you can use to prove your case. Collect the officer’s name and badge number so you can find the report later.
Seek Medical Attention
As soon as possible following the accident, seek emergency medical attention. Save all documents related to your treatment and injuries. These medical records will provide valuable evidence in your case, helping prove the nature and extent of the harm that you suffered in the collision.
You should always seek medical treatment, even if you do not feel hurt. You may have internal injuries that you are not aware of, and prolonged treatment could lead to serious complications. Additionally, failure to seek medical attention could harm your case’s credibility.
Record Important Information
After your accident, you will likely need to file an insurance claim against the Uber or Lyft driver or the rideshare company’s internal insurance policy. To file your claim, you will need to collect the following pieces of information from your rideshare driver.
- The driver’s name, address, and phone number
- The driver’s personal insurance information
- Information about the Uber or Lyft insurance policy
- The registration number, license plate, make, and model for the driver’s vehicle
You may not know who is at fault for the accident at this stage. To ensure that you have access to all available options, speak to the other driver involved in the collision. Collect his or her contact information, license and vehicle details, and insurance policy information for use in your future case. A California rideshare accident lawyer can evaluate your case and help you identify who is responsible for your accident.
Document Evidence at the Scene
If you are able to move around the accident scene after the collision, you can gather other pieces of evidence that you can use in your future claim. Take photographs of your injuries, property damage, and the area around the accident. You should also photograph any damage to the driver’s vehicle.
You can also take a screenshot of your Uber or Lyft app to prove that you were a passenger in the driver’s vehicle at the time of the accident. If there are any witnesses who saw the accident happen, ask for their names and contact information for use in your future claim. These individuals could provide valuable testimony on your behalf.
Contact an Attorney
As soon as possible after your collision, contact a Bakersfield rideshare accident lawyer to discuss your case and legal options. Navigating an Uber or Lyft accident claim can be complicated due to the presence of multiple insurance policies, and you may need assistance identifying your optimal path to compensation.
A rideshare accident attorney can help you strategize your case and advocate for the recovery you deserve. He or she can evaluate your accident, conduct a full-scale investigation, and gather the evidence you need to secure maximum compensation. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible following your accident to discuss your legal options.