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Uber is one of the world’s most popular rideshare services. The app had between 130 and 150 million users for each quarter in 2023. It currently dominates the market in the U.S., holding approximately three-quarters of the market.
Uber can offer convenience and serve as an effective means of transport for people without a vehicle or those who don’t want to drive for whatever reason. However, you are still exposed to the normal hazards of the road when you get into an Uber, and as a passenger you’re going to need to be proactive with collecting information at the scene.
Rideshare accidents can occur just as often as other road incidents. Some Uber drivers engage in unsafe practices, like scanning for their next fare on their phone as they drive you to your destination. Issues like driver fatigue may also play a role in Uber safety.
You might be confused about how to react in the event of an Uber accident. Questions might arise. Do you need to take the same steps as you would if you were behind the wheel? How can you establish liability if you weren’t driving?
Most post-accident steps are the same whether you’re a driver or passenger. However, there are a few differences when it comes to Uber accidents. Here’s a closer look at how to respond after a rideshare collision to protect yourself physically and legally.
Does Uber Cover Accidents?
Uber requires drivers to have insurance for their vehicles. However, the company also has a commercial policy that provides coverage to any passengers or pedestrians who are injured as the result of the negligence of a rideshare driver. Additionally, recent changes to ORS 742.520 now require all rideshare companies to provide Personal Injury Protection insurance to cover at least $15,000 of medical expenses incurred by any driver, passenger, or pedestrian regardless of fault.
Steps to Take After an Uber Car Accident
Being in an accident is stressful, but it’s important to remain calm and take the correct steps. The following actions will help with the insurance claim process and, if necessary, the subsequent personal injury case.
1. Get to a Safe Area
The first step after an accident is to get to safety. A safe area would be on the shoulder of the road and away from fire hazards. If it’s safe to do so and the vehicles are driveable, ask the Uber driver and other drivers involved to move the vehicles to the shoulder and turn on the hazard lights.
2. Attend to Injuries
You should always assess yourself for injuries after an accident before you take additional action. If you are experiencing serious bleeding or suffered a head or neck injury, discontinue any further steps and seek emergent medical care. If you determine you are not in need of emergency services, assess others for injury and summon medical assistance if necessary.
3. Call the Police
In Oregon, the driver needs to call the police and report the accident if the vehicle sustains more than $2,500 in damages. If there are injuries, you should call 911 immediately.
Also, a police report could be vital for a personal injury case. Even if you aren’t the person required to do so, you should call the police. Their report for the accident could be critical evidence for your case and any negotiations with insurance companies.
When the police arrive, provide a clear explanation of what happened before and during the accident from your perspective.
4. Collect Contact Information
If it’s safe to do so, you can begin collecting information from those involved in the accident, even if you weren’t the driver. Both passengers and drivers need the identifying and insurance information from all drivers of any motor vehicles involved in the collision. Many states, including Oregon, are “at fault” states. This means the person responsible for the accident or their insurance carrier must cover damages for all injured people.
You need to know the identity and insurance status of every driver involved so that you have the best chance to pursue compensation if needed.
Here’s is the information you should seek:
- Full name, address, and contact information (such as a phone number) for every driver involved;
- Driver’s license number and insurance company information, including policy number;
- Make, model, and license plate number of the vehicles involved;
- Names and contact information for any witnesses who saw the accident.
Pro tip: take pictures of all of the drivers’ licenses and insurance cards with your phone.
5. Take Photos
In addition to taking pictures of IDs and insurance cards, you can also photograph the accident scene and damage.
Lawyers and insurance companies may rely on photos, as well as police reports, as evidence during negotiations and civil litigation.
Here are some key things to photograph:
- The damage to all vehicles involved, including dents, scratches, or deployed airbags;
- The surrounding scene, including traffic lights, street signs, and any visible skid marks;
- Any injuries you sustained.
You should only take this step if it is safe to do so, after you’ve called the police, attended to your own injuries, and checked others for wounds. Do not impede traffic to obtain photos.
6. File a Report to Insurance
If necessary, you will file insurance reports with your insurance company, the Uber driver’s insurance company, and the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This initial contact lets the insurer start the claims process. Each insurance company will assign a claim number – write them down. You can provide your identity and any evidence, such as a police report number, which you may get from law enforcement at the scene.
The insurer may ask for details, such as policy numbers for the drivers and the date and time of the accident. They may also ask the extent of your injuries. Decline to speak about your injuries or medical treatment until you have had an opportunity to speak to a skilled personal injury lawyer.
7. Make a Report to Uber
You can reach out to Uber to report the accident on the app or website. This serves two purposes. First, it creates an official record of the accident within Uber’s system. They can investigate and take any necessary actions against the driver. Secondly, reporting the accident creates a paper trail that you can use if a civil case becomes necessary.
8. Consider Contacting a Lawyer
There are a couple of reasons you might want to contact a lawyer after an Uber accident. The driver’s insurance company may try to settle quickly for less than you need to cover medical costs or injuries. A lawyer can handle negotiations for a fairer settlement. They can also help build a case should insurers, Uber, or the other drivers fight against your claims.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can also help you decide the best course of action to take to seek a fair settlement after your accident.
These steps will help you get to safety and protect you physically after an accident. They can also aid you as you pursue fair compensation for injuries or damage you suffered due to the incident.