Ask an Uber Car Accident Lawyer: What Evidence Do I Need for My Claim?
Uber accidents don’t just leave passengers injured. They leave them unsure of what to do next. One of the most commonly asked questions our personal injury law firm receives is: What evidence do I need to file a claim?
Because Uber accidents are often more complex than traditional car accident claims (driver’s status at the time of crash, corporate insurance policies, etc.), the type of evidence you need will depend on the details of the accident. This is why you need a strong legal advocate like Justin Drazin. Motivated by a friend who was injured in an Uber crash, Justin founded UberHurtMe.com, the country’s leading Uber accident resource center. He will thoroughly investigate the details of your Uber car accident and pursue compensation against this rideshare company.
In this guide, we will go over the types of evidence you need for your Uber claim and how they can help you recover compensation.
Screenshots of Your Ride
If you were injured as an Uber passenger, it’s not enough to just claim you were. You need tangible proof, and that’s where screenshots come in. Take screenshots of all relevant trip information, including your driver’s name and license plate, pickup/drop off locations, and timestamps.
These critical pieces of evidence will prove that the accident, and your subsequent injuries, occurred during the ride. Just be sure to snag these screenshots before the app closes or resets.
Medical Records
Like other traditional motor vehicle accidents, Uber accidents can result in severe injuries. Even if you don’t believe you were seriously harmed, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Injuries, including concussions and nerve damage may not always be immediately obvious, especially considering how adrenaline can mask symptoms.
Whether they’re immediately noticeable (such as facial swelling) or taking time to manifest, documenting your injuries is critical for pursuing a claim. Keep all records of copays, receipts, prescriptions, discharge summaries, and diagnostic testing performed. At home, keep a journal documenting any new symptoms, as well. Medical records help establish a timeline and detail the impact the accident has had on your life. This is essential information for calculating how much compensation you need.
Accident Reports
A police report creates an official record of the accident, and it serves as a critical piece of evidence in your Uber accident claim. The police report will contain details of the crash, including the names of everyone involved (including you, as the passenger), vehicles, location, date/time, and witness information, including what they saw.
The police report will also include an assessment of the damage, injuries sustained, and observations. For example, if one of the drivers involved had bloodshot eyes, that may be used as evidence that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash.
While some police officers may give their professional opinion of who’s at fault, this type of evidence is usually inadmissible in court. Determining who’s at fault for an Uber accident requires undisputed facts. So while the police officer’s opinion may not serve as concrete evidence, the police report they file can.
The timeframe to obtain a police report varies on where you live, but generally it should be available within a week or two.
Photos and Videos
In addition to screenshots of your Uber ride, you’ll also want to take photos and videos of the crash scene, assuming you are able to. If you are, document your visible injuries (including any bleeding or bruises), other vehicles involved (including their license plates), and damage to the vehicles.
You’ll also want to capture images of the current weather and lighting conditions, road layout, construction areas, skid marks, and traffic signs. For example, you may be able to prove that a construction site wasn’t properly marked or that a broken traffic light contributed to the crash. Evidence such as this can help determine liability and back up details given in the police report.
Similar Post: Understanding Rideshare Accident Liability: Who is Responsible When an Uber or Lyft Driver Causes an Accident?
Uber Incident Report and Correspondence
Following the crash, you must report what happened to Uber. There are several ways to do this. If using the Uber app, tap on the blue symbol in the left corner of the map. Then, click on “Report a Crash.” If you’re using a desktop and are on Uber’s website, log in to your account, go to “Help,” then “Driving & Delivering.” From there, scroll down until you see “Safety,” click on that, and then tap “Involved in an accident.”
These two options will generate automatic reports that go directly to the Uber team. However, if you wish to talk to a live person, go to the Help section, click on “Safety” and then “Safety Incident Reporting Line.” This option will put you in contact with a live support agent.
While there’s no right or wrong way to report your accident, you’ll want to be mindful of how you do so. If you’re able to, take a screen recording of your report if doing so through the app or website. The more pieces of evidence you can have corroborating your story, the better. If talking to an agent, write down their name, time and date of the call, and a summary of the conversation. Detail any follow-up actions the representative promised to take. If possible, try to get a reference number for the call.
Even though reporting your accident to Uber is a critical step, it’s important to remember that they are not on your side. Their insurance adjusters are in the business of protecting their bottom line, which means doing everything in their power to minimize culpability and the compensation you need. We encourage you to check out our blog, Step-By-Step Guide on How to Report an Uber or Lyft Accident the RIGHT Way to safeguard your interactions with Uber.
Similar Post: How Can an Uber Accident Lawyer Help You Secure a Fair Settlement?
Contact Justin Drazin, Founder of UberHurtMe.com, If You Were Injured in an Uber Car Accident
The best way to protect your rights after an Uber car accident is to hire an attorney with a success rate of going up against this company. At Drazin & Warshaw, skilled rideshare accident attorney Justin Drazin has dedicated his life to pursuing justice for Uber accident victims. That’s why he created UberHurtMe.com, the country’s leading Uber accident resource, so injured victims would have a place to turn when they need dedicated and aggressive personal injury representation.
If you were injured in an Uber accident, contact our firm to schedule a consultation: 732-333-8141. Justin Drazin is here to help you collect relevant evidence to support your Uber accident claim and get you the compensation and justice you deserve.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
