With popular rideshares like Uber and Lyft growing increasingly more prevalent each day, more and more people are using these services. When an accident occurs with a service like this and the passenger is injured, trying to get compensation for the injuries received becomes difficult. Here is what you need to know if you have been injured in a rideshare service accident in Collinsville, IL.
Sizing Up the Damage
Immediately after the accident occurs, your first step should always be to check on the well-being of both yourself and the others in the vehicle. Call emergency services if anyone is seriously injured. It is, however, important to still receive a medical exam after the accident to ensure your condition is fine, as brain and spinal injuries may not show signs initially. Doctors know exactly what to look for when examining and treating accident victims.
Contacting Law Enforcement
Call the police and ask them to fill out an accident report on the scene of the accident. The police report will provide a completely unbiased look at the accident and also includes any evidence of misbehavior and negligence from the guilty party’s end like intoxication. This information will help fill your personal injury claim. Personal injury claims let you sue the party that was at fault along with their insurance provider to get compensation. To do this effectively you need to have proof and documentation of the guilty party’s clear negligence.
Collecting and Documenting Information & Evidence
Get as much information about what happened at the scene of the accident as you can. Explain things such as the traffic, the weather, and any other potential road hazards. If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information down. This is because they may be able to help support your case. Security cameras on nearby buildings, intersections, and cars may have recorded the incident, make sure to get this footage as it can drastically support your case. You can use your cellphone or camera to take photos of the accident scene and the surrounding areas. Aim to get photos from multiple different angles and photos showcasing the damage and injuries. Also, make sure to get the license plates of the other affected vehicles, just be sure that you are respectful of their privacy.
Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Vehicle accident cases are already complicated enough with needing to determine the cause of the accident and who is at fault. Including dealing with the insurance company’s regulations and laws about personal injury. Rideshare accidents where the driver was at fault only exacerbate the problem. This can make trying to file a personal injury claim harder. Drivers for rideshare services typically have their auto insurance and auto insurance provided by the company they work for. An experienced lawyer will look through the carriers to see who is liable to cover the damages. Insurance policies that cover rideshare drivers also have their coverage depending on the status of the particular rideshare. If the driver was on their way to pick you up or they were taking you to your destination, different insurance policies will apply in different situations.
If you need a personal injury lawyer who can take your case after a rideshare accident, contact our expert team over at Brunton Law Offices. We will assist you in any way that we can.
