Things Not to Do in an Uber Accident
Ridesharing services like Uber have become increasingly popular, and using Uber runs the risk of being involved in an accident as a passenger.
You may know what to do if an accident happens while you’re driving your vehicle, but do you know the ins and outs of navigating the aftermath of an Uber accident? Here are seven things to avoid if you end up in an Uber accident.
Neglect to contact Uber
Uber offers a fairly generous insurance policy for passengers involved in an accident. But if you don’t report the accident to them, you won’t be eligible for these benefits.
Fail to gather information on all involved parties
While you’re still at the scene, make sure to gather the names, insurance details, and contact information of all people involved in the accident. This means the Uber driver, the driver of the other automobile, and any other people who played some part in the incident.
Agreeing to leave the police out of it
It’s fairly common for one or more parties in an accident to prefer to not file an official report or not contact the police. But doing so opens the door to a number of potential problems, depending on the nature of any property damages or injuries caused by the accident.
As a passenger in an Uber accident, it’s extremely unlikely that you bear any liability for the accident. As a result, it’s almost always in your best interest to go by the book and call 9-1-1 after a crash.
Not gather any supporting evidence at the scene of the accident
These days, nearly everyone has a mobile phone with a quality camera. Assuming you’re not too injured to move around, it’s a great idea to take a few pictures of the scene of the crash. Documenting your injuries, the states of the cars involved, and any other relevant details can pay big dividends down the line if the case is disputed.
Agree to a settlement offer at the scene
After being in a car accident, your mental and physical states are usually diminished. A traumatic event can impair your judgment, and unscrupulous parties can take advantage of that. If you end up agreeing to the terms of a settlement, it’s very difficult to break that agreement later. There’s no time pressure, so don’t do anything rash.
Fail to seek the advice of an attorney specializing in car accidents
Navigating the aftermath of automobile accidents can oftentimes be tricky and confusing. Uber accident claims add an extra wrinkle to the ridesharing company’s liability, not usually a factor in conventional accidents.
Only a lawyer with experience dealing with car accidents knows the full nuance of the law involved in these situations.
Choose not to seek medical attention
One mistake people often make is dismissing the severity of their injuries in the wake of an accident. Unless you’re a trained medical professional, you aren’t qualified to know whether your injuries are more serious than they first appear.
If there’s any doubt at all, go in for medical evaluation immediately after the accident. Even if you don’t believe you were injured, conditions like whiplash can manifest days later, and only a checkup will determine the scope of your injuries.
