What To Do if You’ve Been In An Uber Accident

The rise of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft has been prominent in Las Vegas, Nevada, and throughout the country. And while rideshare services offer many benefits, including a quick and convenient way to hail a ride that is affordable, when a rideshare accident occurs, recovering damages can be a confusing process. At the office of Naqvi Injury Law, our experienced Uber accident lawyers can guide you throughout what to do if you’ve been in an Uber (or another rideshare service) accident. Please reach out to us today with any questions you have.

• Report the accident to the police. It is of critical importance that you report a car accident to the police, even if you think that the accident isn’t that serious, you haven’t suffered any major or acute injuries, or the Uber driver is asking you not to file a report. While you are still at the accident scene, you should call it in. When the police arrive, give them a detailed description of what you believe happened, and be sure to request a copy of the accident report.
• Collect evidence at the scene. Just like in other accident types, in an Uber accident, recovery will be based, in large part, on each party’s degree of fault. Another thing that will affect a recovery amount is the degree of damages suffered by the claimant/plaintiff. In order to prove fault and damages, you will need to submit compelling evidence. The evidence-gathering process starts while you are at the scene. As you wait for the police to arrive, you should:
  • Take photos of any relevant evidence, including the vehicles’ interiors and exteriors, any traffic signage or traffic lights, your injuries, skid marks and road debris, the weather, positions of the vehicles, and more.
  • Talk to eyewitnesses and learn more about what they saw happen. Be sure to get the names of the witnesses and their contact information.
  • Write down any details of the accident that are fresh in your mind. While you may think that you don’t need to do this and that you’ll remember everything, accidents can be traumatic, and details may fade from your mind in the following days or weeks after the accident.
  • Get the other driver’s information, including vehicle registration and license plate number insurance information, driver’s license information, and contact information.
• Get medical treatment. Getting medical treatment is vital after a car accident. Of course, medical treatment is necessary for your physical wellbeing – if you have been injured and do not seek treatment, your injuries may worsen or may fail to heal, and in severe cases, your life may even be in jeopardy. In addition to seeking medical care to ensure that you are well taken care of, you should also seek medical care to preserve your right to compensation for medical expenses. If you fail to seek medical care immediately following an Uber accident and then later attempt to seek damages for medical care, the insurance adjuster will likely balk at this, and question why, if your injuries were serious enough to the point that you required care and are now asking for compensation, you waited so long to get treatment.
• Inform your insurance company. Even if your insurance company won’t be the one paying out your claim, you still need to provide it with notice of the accident as soon as possible after a crash. We recommend calling your insurer within 24 hours after an accident.

Uber-Specific Information Following A Crash

While many of the things that you need to do after an Uber accident are the same as the steps following a regular car crash, there is some information of which you should be aware that is specific to Uber. Here are some frequently asked questions we hear from our clients–

• Who pays for damages following an Uber accident? The Uber insurance system can be a little daunting to navigate on your own. Here are the basics of what you should know:
  • Nevada’s at-fault/tort liability laws still apply, which holds that a party who causes an accident is responsible for paying for it.
  • Uber provides liability insurance coverage for their drivers; however, this insurance only applies when the driver has a passenger in their vehicle or is en route to pick up a passenger.
  • If the Uber driver is not covered under Uber’s insurance policy, yet is to blame for the crash, then the driver’s personal coverage will apply.
• Do I need to do anything specific after an Uber accident? Yes, in addition to the steps above (file a police report, collect evidence, get medical treatment, and inform your insurer), you also need to file an accident report with Uber. If you do not file an Uber accident report, you could be barred from recovery. Our lawyers can manage all communications with Uber on your behalf.
• Should I settle with Uber or file a lawsuit? If you are involved in an accident that is caused by the negligence of Uber or an Uber driver, you maintain the right to pursue a lawsuit against Uber. However, before you file a suit, we recommend speaking with an attorney and attempting to settle your case out of court first. Lawsuits can be expensive, and settlement negotiations are often successful. At Naqvi Injury Law, we are skilled negotiators who have experience recovering the settlements that our clients deserve.

Call Our Experienced Uber Accident Attorneys Today

Following a car accident that results in property damage or injuries, working with a skilled Las Vegas car accident lawyer is a good idea. Following an Uber accident, working with an attorney is even more important; Uber accident claims can be complicated, and pursuing damages against a large company can be intimidating. At the office of Naqvi Injury Law, we are ready to pursue damages on your behalf and aggressively represent your best interests. To schedule a free consultation with our legal team, please reach out to us today to get started.