Rideshare Accident

There are an estimated 209,000 active Uber drivers in California. Ridesharing is becoming increasingly popular in the state for multiple reasons. Not only does ridesharing cut costs but it also helps protect the environment, too.

What many Californians don’t consider, though, is what could happen if they get into a rideshare accident during the journey. If you’ve recently been involved in a rideshare accident, as a passanger or as another driver, then it’s advised that you reach out to an Uber accident lawyer in Costa Mesa who can help you decide what to do next.

Here are the six basic steps to take after you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident in Costa Mesa below. Learn how to handle an Uber or Lyft accident and hire the best attorney to represent you.

1. Call the Police

After your accident, you’ll want to immediately make sure you are okay. Check yourself for serious injuries. Be advised that you may not feel pain right away due to the adrenaline from the accident. If you notice anything serious, then don’t hesitate to call 911.

If there are no severe injuries, then the rideshare driver should take the initiative to call the authorities, but they might hesitate. They may not want to put another accident on their insurance. They may not want to get involved with the police. Either way, the authorities need to get involved. Without an official police report, you won’t have any proof that you were ever even involved in an accident. Call the police if the Uber or Lyft driver doesn’t.

2. Collect Evidence at the Scene

If you were the passenger of the Uber/Lyft, while you wait for the police to arrive, make sure to take screenshots of your rideshare driving information to prove you were a passenger in the car.

Victims, both passengers and other drivers who were hit by the rideshare, must also take photographs of the accident scene. Collect the contact information of the rideshare driver and any witnesses. Once the police arrive at the scene, make sure that they report that it’s noted that the driver was participating in an Uber or Lyft ride. Depending on the time of the accident, compensation for the crash will vary. 

3. Get Medical Care

Next, seek out medical treatment. While you may not need attention at the scene, it’s still important to seek out care as soon as possible. The longer you wait to get seen by a doctor, the less chance you have of getting compensation for your injuries. That’s because if you wait, then the other party could argue that you made your injuries worse by delaying treatment.

Ask for a copy of your doctor’s diagnosis and be sure to also save all the medical bills you receive, too. Anything from traumatic brain injury (TBI) to broken bones to post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) can all be compensated for the accident, but there must be proof from a doctor that you sustained such injuries. 

4. Document Your Losses

Your initial medical costs might not be the only losses you suffer after your rideshare accident. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you might also suffer from lost wages, future medical costs, and potential future disability, too. Start documenting the losses you suffer by getting a letter from your employer, collecting all your medical bills, and asking about your long-term physical recovery plan.

5. Refrain From Talking About Your Claim

Finally, it’s important to not talk about your case while you wait for your situation to conclude. It’s far too common for accident victims to immediately share that they’ve been in an accident on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We advise you against doing so. Remember, anything that you say can be used against you later. If you make statements online like “I’m okay!” or “I was eating while driving,” then you can’t expect the other party to not use these statements against you if you try to seek out compensation later. Social media posts are often considered public information, so it’s possible for them to get used as evidence in court.

6. Contact a Lawyer

To increase your chances of winning your case and missing out on your deserved compensation, contact a lawyer about your situation. Getting compensation will be more complicated than in a traditional car accident, so be sure to look for a personal injury lawyer with specific experience with Uber accidents and Lyft accidents.

Also, working with a rideshare accident lawyer will keep your rights protected if Uber or Lyft try to avoid fairly compensating you for their drivers’ negligence. 

Hiring the Best Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Costa Mesa

After a rideshare accident, it’s tempting to let an Uber or Lyft driver handle the situation. Despite that, you need to make sure certain steps are followed to ensure that your rights get protected, too. Never allow a rideshare driver to convince you that an official report isn’t necessary or that they can pay you for any injuries out of pocket.

Are you currently looking to hire an Uber accident lawyer in Costa Mesa? If so, then Mesa Accident Lawyers is prepared to help you seek out justice. Contact our office now to get in touch with one of our rideshare accident attorneys about your case.