Uber hit the scene a few years back, and the rideshare industry took off. If you live in New York, you probably regularly use ridesharing services. However, if you’re in a ridesharing vehicle that gets into an accident, it can be overwhelming and scary. You should do a few things if you’re in such a situation.
Call 911 for the police and emergency medical services
Call 911 immediately after any motor vehicle accident. If there are injuries or property damage, the police need to come to the scene and make an accident report. You will want to ask how to get a copy of that report as evidence.
An ambulance should also come to the scene. You should receive medical attention even if you feel unharmed. Some injuries can hide due to the rush of adrenaline that comes after a harrowing experience, so you may not feel symptoms until later.
Get information from the driver
Get the ridesharing driver’s name, contact information, license plate number, driver’s license number and insurance information. Depending on the situation, you may either have to go through the driver’s personal auto insurance policy or the ridesharing company’s insurance if you file a claim for a personal injury.
Talk to witnesses
If any people witnessed the accident, you need to speak with them and write down their names and contact information. You may even want to record their statements concerning what happened when the accident occurred. Witnesses can be contacted later if any further clarity is needed.
Take photos
After getting into an accident, taking photos of the scene is imperative. Photos are compelling evidence for your claim. Snap anything that’s relevant to the accident, including the road, skid marks, vehicles and their damage, other property damage, road signs, and even the weather if it’s a factor.
Contact the ridesharing company
Accidents involving ridesharing vehicles are sometimes complex. However, you should contact the rideshare company to report the accident. You should be able to report the accident on the company’s app.
Taking all these steps is important after an accident involving a ridesharing vehicle. You can protect yourself and find out how to recover damages if necessary.