Accident While A Ride Share Passenger? 4 Steps To You Need To Take After The Accident
If you've been involved in a car accident while a passenger in a peer-to-peer rideshare car, such as Uber or Lyft, you need to act fast. There aren't a lot of rules out there regarding car accidents involving these types of programs. The steps you take right after the accident will determine how easy it is for you to obtain the compensation you're entitled to. Here are four steps you need to take after an accident involving a rideshare company.
Call for Emergency Assistance
After the accident, the first thing you need to do is call for emergency assistance. Your driver may not want you to, but this is essential since it provides you with a legal document regarding the accident. Not only that, but it will ensure that you obtain your driver's information, such as full name, address, and insurance documentation. Be sure to provide the responding police officer with a detailed statement regarding the accident.
Take Pictures of the Scene
Once you've called for emergency assistance, take as many pictures of the scene as you can. This should include pictures of your driver's car, as well as the other cars involved in the accident. You should also take pictures of the surrounding area, if possible. Be sure to get pictures of the inside and out of the car you were riding in.
Get Checked by a Doctor
After a car accident, you need to get checked out by a doctor. This is important even if you don't have visible injuries or they seem minor. Injuries can take a while to manifest themselves after an accident or may appear less severe than they actually are. Allowing a doctor to examine you will ensure that you're not suffering from an injury that you might have overlooked.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney Immediately
Once you've taken care of your medical needs, you'll need to hire a personal injury attorney. Accidents involving rideshare drivers are a bit more complicated to process. The most important thing to remember is that you'll be dealing with at least two different insurance companies, including those of all drivers involved in the accident and the rideshare companies. In some cases, all the insurance companies will try to argue that the other one should be responsible for your injuries, which can complicate the claim process. Your personal injury attorney will deal with the insurance companies so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries.