Getting compensated
for property damage and/or bodily injuries after an accident with an Uber driver
should be relatively easy. You would believe the same if you consider Uber's
own instructions in case of an accident. Uber offers three
steps toward compensation:
·
Make
sure all parties in the accident are safe.
·
Contact
the police and/or paramedics.
·
Contact
Uber.
Uber states that it
is "committed to the safety of everyone using Uber,†but it falls short stating it is committed to full and fair
compensation. Further, Uber instructs persons in the accident to disclose on
its app what happened, by instructing users to "Head to trip Issues and
Fare adjustments > I was in an accident."In the latter section of its
app, you are supposed to describe what happened.
If the accident was
relatively simple and no injuries resulted, but some very minor property damage
at most, then this approach to obtaining compensation may be absent of any harm
to you. But, regardless if you are the Uber driver, another driver, a
passenger, a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or another person affected by the
accident, it is probably in your best interests not to provide your side of the
story in Uber's app. What you write or say to Uber can be used against you --
and they will use it as much as they can to their advantage.
If not following
Uber's instructions, what should you do to get compensated after an Uber
accident? Below is a brief outline of what to do.
1. Get driver and insurance details from all parties.
Always get driver
and insurance details from all relevant parties of an auto accident. This is
true regardless of who caused the accident and who you are, i.e., the Uber
driver, the passenger, another motorist, etc. Get information. In fact, it is
the law for each driver to provide the information. You can use your phone to
photograph the insurance paper, driver's license, and the license plate.
If you are in no
condition to obtain this information due to injuries, then you can retrieve the
police report later. In the latter report, details of the same should be
provided.
2. Get any available evidence.
At the scene of the
accident, take pictures, and take lots of them. You want to be sure to get
different angles of the vehicles, including close-ups. Also, take pictures of
the scene of the accident and the environment or conditions of the road. If
there are any witnesses, be sure to take their names and contact info in the
least. If time permits, record on your phone their statements of what they saw.
If you were unable to take pictures due to injury, then again, you may have to
rely on the police report.
After the scene, be
sure to collect all medical records, including bills and treatment plans.
Evidence will be
key to causation and liability, necessary elements to prove for your Uber
accident personal injury claim.
3. Contact your insurance company.
Once you are able
to, contact your insurance company. You may have coverage that can help you pay
your expenses while you wait for a settlement offer or trial. Depending on if
you are one of the drivers, you may also be required to make a statement to
your insurance company.
Remember: you are
not required to make a statement to any other auto insurer but your own. You
are also not required to contact Uber via online or by phone to provide a
statement. It is in your best interests not to do so, too, especially not to do
so without representation by an attorney who knows your case and knows how to
handle auto insurers.
4. Contact an experienced Uber accident attorney.
Uber accidents are always a little
more complex than an accident between two "regular" motorists because
you may have to deal with a third party: Uber. And Uber does not want to
payout, just like insurance companies do not want to pay out. They will do what
they can to limit or reduce compensation. Only an experienced attorney can best
help you make sure you are paid for all your economic and non-economic
expenses.
At Ledge Law Firm,
our personal injury
attorneys
in California and Washington will review your case during a free initial
consultation and outline your options for you. You can then make an informed
decision about how to proceed. Contact us today to get started.
For More Details: The Ledger Law Firm
Phone: 800-300-0001
