1. Prioritize everyone’s health and safety
Car accidents can cause a wide range of extremely serious injuries. Even if the victims aren’t complaining about pain and/or displaying obvious injury symptoms, call 911 and make sure an emergency response team in on their way. You never want to delay medical treatment since symptoms may appear in a delayed manner.
2. Collect the necessary information
When it’s safe to do so, collect insurance information and license plate numbers from every driver involved—especially the rideshare driver. It may be a good idea to take pictures of the vehicles, the road, and of any debris, etc., that may have contributed to the crash. You can also screenshot your Uber/Lyft driver’s information on your smartphone’s rideshare app. This information may help you later.
3. Don’t let anyone speak for you
When speaking to the police, tell them what you saw and experienced. Don’t let anyone else speak on your behalf—including the driver. When speaking to the driver, don’t say more than you absolutely must. If you were in another vehicle, don’t admit to any type of fault. In the heat of a stressful situation, you can share something that may not be true.
4. Talk to witnesses
Check to see if there are any witnesses on the scene who may have seen what happened. Ask if they’re willing to give you their contact information. If your case ends up going to court, witness testimony can make all the difference to a successful claim.
5. Inform your insurance agent—but be careful
When it’s time to let your insurer know about the accident, you should tell them what happened and that the accident is still under investigation. If adjusters from the driver’s insurer or the rideshare company’s insurance group come to you asking for a statement or to settle early, do not agree to either. You have a legal right to fully investigate an accident to get the best settlement possible. Take this time to make sure you’re in good hands.
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