After having an accident while using a rideshare service, the first thing to do is to get a medical checkup, even if you think you did not receive any serious injuries. If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in an accident before you do anything else, contact an attorney for a free consultation.

Be sure to talk with your attorney before speaking with any insurance company representatives or talking about the accident with others. What you say after an accident can be used as evidence against you. For example, if you say, “I’m sorry,” and you mean that you are sorry that the accident occurred, this may cause a problem. A simple statement can be twisted around and used as evidence to claim that you said you were sorry because the accident was your fault.

You can avoid these types of mistakes by letting your attorney handle your case in ways that are the best practices to preserve your rights and ensure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries and damages.

Can you sue the driver of a rideshare vehicle?

Normally, the insurance company that has the policy coverage for the driver and the vehicle is the party that you will sue if there is a dispute over just compensation for your damages. However, if the driver was negligent, the driver may have personal responsibility as well.

Your attorney will give you advice about the parties to name in any lawsuit. The insurance coverage of the driver and the driver’s vehicle should be the first party named in a lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, you may also name the rideshare company and the vehicle driver as co-defendants.

What To Do at the Scene of an Accident

If the accident just happened, and you are still at the scene, priority number one is to get out of further harm’s way by moving out of the roadway. Move to the side of the road, away from traffic. Call 9-1-1 and give first aid to any injured persons until the paramedics arrive.

Takes Photos of Everything

Most people carry a smartphone. After an accident, if you are not seriously injured, take photos of the accident scene and all the vehicles involved. Take close-up photos showing damage to the vehicles. Take close-up photos of the marks on the road to show any skid patterns of the tires caused by heavy braking. Take photos from at least the four directions of north, south, east, and west from the center point of the accident, looking in that direction and back towards the accident.

Get Identification of Everyone

The easiest way to capture the identification and insurance information is to take clear photos of the driver’s licenses and insurance information. Be sure to get the contact information of every party also. Get the names and badge numbers of any law enforcement officer(s) at the accident scene. If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their identification as well. Ask them to describe what they saw by taking a video of what they say they saw happen.

Report the Accident and File a Claim

Report the accident to both the police and to the rideshare company. However, before you file an insurance claim, call (281) 475-4535 to contact a lawyer for a free consultation.

New Downloadable App in Spanish

Spanish speakers will find the downloadable app called “Abogados De Ayuda” very useful in documenting the accident and collecting all the information needed. Download the “Abogados De Ayuda” app from the Google Play Store for Android devices and Apple App Store for iOS devices.