When you order a Lyft or Uber ride, you expect to stay on your phone the whole time or have a friendly chat with the driver. When the unexpected happens and your rideshare gets into an accident, you are going to be stressed and confused.
Uber and Lyft instruct their drivers in post-accident care, including calling 911. If you see that your driver is too hurt to call 911, you can do it yourself. The most important thing is that you get medical personnel to the scene of the accident whether or not you are injured.
While you may be in a hurry, any ridesharing accident attorney in Sherman Oaks will advise you to cancel your plans to stay at the scene because you are a witness and even a party in the crash. Do not cancel the ride; instead take a screenshot of the driver’s information in case medical personnel or attorneys ask for it.
Just like with any traffic accident in Sherman Oaks, you should make sure to gather as much information as you can about the circumstances of the collision. Make sure to note the time of day, location (a nearby business or street corner is fine), and road conditions.
You should also get information that will prove to be vital in any future accident injury claims. Information to gather after a rideshare accident includes:
- Your Lyft/Uber driver’s name, address, and phone number (some of this information may be already in the app)
- The other driver’s name and contact information
- The personal insurance information for your Lyft/Uber driver (they are required to have third-party insurance to drive for both apps)
- The other driver’s insurance information
- Vehicle information (registration number, make, model, and license plate numbers)
- Contact information of any witnesses
Sherman Oaks personal injury lawyers also advise clients to take pictures with their cell phones to document any injuries or vehicle damage. You can also document the road hazards if they contributed to the crash. For example, a faulty traffic light may have confused one or both drivers, causing the accident.
Luckily, you have three different insurance plans (your driver’s plan, the other driver’s plan, and Uber/Lyft’s own plan) when it comes to getting compensation for your injuries. Once you have this information, you should contact a Sherman Oaks personal injury attorney.