The injuries you or a loved one sustain in an auto accident can have serious physical and financial consequences. But what if the collision involves an Uber driver? It’s important to know what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers recommend taking the following steps after an Uber accident to protect your health and your personal injury case:
- Seek medical attention.
- Report and document the incident.
- Assess the available insurance coverage.
- File an insurance claim with the liable party.
- Contact a South Carolina car accident lawyer to protect your rights and maximize your compensation.
Understanding the above steps is crucial. Below, we explain these actions in further detail:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
After an accident, it’s essential to prioritize your health. Regardless of whether you were a driver or passenger during the collision, seeking prompt medical treatment is vital. Your medical records will serve as crucial evidence to demonstrate that your injuries resulted from the crash.
Delaying treatment can complicate matters and make it harder to establish the cause and timing of your injuries. During your medical visits, inform your healthcare provider about the rideshare accident and save all your paperwork.
Report the Accident and Document Important Details
Completing an accident report with local law enforcement is an important way to document the incident. Exchanging information with the involved drivers and witnesses and taking notes can also significantly benefit your cased help you get maximum compensation.
Here are some key questions to consider when documenting the crash:
- What was the Uber driver doing at the time of the accident? Did they appear distracted?
- What statements did the rideshare driver make after the crash?
- What did the other driver in the accident say if you were a passenger?
- Who appeared to be at fault for the collision?
- Were external factors, such as poor visibility or road conditions, contributing factors?
- Did law enforcement create a police report?
- Did either driver receive a ticket at the accident scene?
While you may not have answers to all these questions immediately, any details you can remember will be valuable when pursuing compensation. Please avoid discussing fault before seeking legal advice; your attorney can further investigate and gather evidence as needed.
Assess Available Insurance Coverage
Most motor vehicle accident claims, including those involving ridesharing services, are resolved through auto insurance settlements. Determining available insurance coverage is critical to seeking compensation after an Uber accident.
In South Carolina, Uber drivers are supposed to have their own auto insurance coverage. Additionally, Uber provides coverage to protect passengers and other motorists when drivers use their app. The insurance policy that covers the accident can depend on various factors.
Your own auto insurance policy might come into play in certain situations. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you pinpoint liability and explore all available avenues of compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other accident-related losses.
Seek Professional Assistance With Insurance Claims
Filing an insurance claim following an auto accident can be complex, especially when a rideshare company is involved. You may need to file multiple claims, depending on who is at fault and the available liability coverage. Seeking legal assistance is advisable in such situations.
An experienced attorney can navigate the entire process, from filing claims to negotiating settlements, to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. They can also guide you on when and whether to settle to avoid receiving less than what you are entitled to.
Your attorney can also help you file a legal claim within your state’s time limit in case the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement. For example, South Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is generally three years from the accident date.
Determine the Full Extent of Your Damages
To recover your rightful compensation for your Uber accident, you must understand the full extent of your losses. Knowing the value of your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages is crucial.
In South Carolina, accident victims can recover financial and non-financial losses, including future losses. An experienced attorney can accurately assess your damages and help you determine the appropriate amount to seek in your insurance claim or lawsuit.
They will do this by determining who is liable for the accident, what compensation you may be eligible for, and representing you in court if necessary. Since our team handles cases on a contingency-fee basis, you won’t pay anything upfront for our services.
Contact an Uber Accident Lawyer
Navigating the aftermath of an Uber accident can be complicated. However, by taking the right actions and seeking professional legal assistance, you can protect your rights and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber collision, the Thumbs Up Guys are here to help. An attorney from our team can review the facts of your case, help you file a claim, and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf. Don’t let an insurance company settle for less than your claim is worth!
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.