According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle accidents kill more than 32,000 people each year and over 2 million are injured. The frequency of car accidents is nothing new, however being involved in an accident yourself can come as a shock, especially if we experience any injuries.
Even a small injury can be painful or a nuisance at best, however they can also be life-changing and detrimental at worst. A whole new layer of complexity is added to the situation when you’re injured in an accident while someone else is driving. It gets even more complicated if you’re injured as a passenger in an Uber. There are steps you can take to protect yourself if your hurt in an accident while in an Uber. As ridesharing services are becoming more and more popular, unfortunately, so are the prevalence of injuries occurring during their use. Thankfully, there are legal protections in place to help victims in this situation.
Here’s what you should do
The laws and regulations regarding auto accidents vary from state to state, but in general, you are able to file a personal injury case (lawsuit) against the at-fault party. As an Uber passenger, your driver might even be the at-fault party or it could be the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident. You won’t be able to bring a lawsuit or sue the ride sharing company itself because Uber drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. Since Uber is not the employer of the drivers, they can’t be held directly responsible for an individual driver’s actions.
As with any car accident, the first step is to call 911 and get medical attention as needed and report the crash to the local authorities or the police. Obviously, the most important thing is to get medical attention for any injuries you might have sustained.
Document everything
All the evidence from the accident, as well as your medical expense are all relevant to your personal injury case. Unless your medically unable, you should write down names, phone numbers, and any additional contact information for all the parties involved, as well as any witness at the scene of the accident. Use your phone to take pictures of the license plates of all vehicles involved as well as a screen shot of your Uber ride in the app and your receipt which will all be important information to have for your case. Take photos of the accident damage to the vehicles, the scene and any injuries you present. These photos are not only helpful when it comes to building a strong case for yourself, but also for the police, whom you should make a report to.
Along with making sure you get the right medical care, you should report the accident and any injuries you obtained to your primary care doctor. Any medical care you receive is relevant to your case and should be documented. Keep a log of doctor visits with dates, what your doctor prescribed, etc. You should also keep copies of any medical bills, invoices from your insurance company, and all bills or receipts from labs, diagnostic testing/imaging, prescriptions, office visits and any possible therapy or rehab.
Hire & Choose the right personal injury attorney
You are entitled to compensation from medical care for your injuries according to the law. This includes medical expenses and could include any lost wages because of the injury. Ensure the best-case scenario for yourself and your case by speaking with an attorney before speaking with any of the insurance companies that are involved. If you’ve incurred any kind of medical costs that are related to the accident, you’ll likely need to file a personal injury lawsuit and to do this, you’ll want the expertise of a highly qualified personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will be able to help you navigate the complex legal process.
It’s important to remember that with any personal injury case, there are unique circumstances and situations for every case. Due to the legal complexities of the various rules and regulations, obtaining the guidance of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer is of the utmost importance. Make sure you seek counsel from someone who has a solid foundation of knowledge in this specific area of the law so that you have expert on your side to guide you through the process.
Contact us today and we’ll listen to your story and tell you what we think during your free consultation. Let us help you navigate this difficult process.