Ridesharing Accident Document Checklist: What to Show Your Lawyer

If you’re an Uber/Lyft passenger, you can always reach out to an attorney to help you build a strong rideshare accident case. If you’re ever hurt while riding in an Uber or Lyft, it’s important to gather as much information as possible. Doing so will help your lawyer assess your case and determine what you may be entitled to.

Ridesharing has become one of the most popular forms of commuting. In fact, the global rideshare market might reach 242.73 billion by 2028. However, as ridesharing continues to grow, so does the number of rideshare accidents. Here is a ridesharing accident document checklist to present to your lawyer.

 

Show Medical Records

As a rideshare passenger, it’s vital to show all medical records related to the accident. This includes any hospitalization, surgery, or treatment you’ve received. If you’re still receiving treatment, provide your lawyer with updates on a regular basis. Giving your medical records to your lawyer after a ridesharing accident injury is vital because they’ll be able to analyze these factors:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • How your injuries have impacted your life
  • The amount of compensation you may be entitled to

Not only that, but medical records help to prove the connection between your injuries and the accident. This is important because, in some cases, insurance companies may try to argue that your injuries were caused by something else.

Also, you want to start a medical history of your injuries on the same day of the incident. Otherwise, the insurance company may claim that you weren’t actually hurt during the rideshare accident.

 

Photos and Videos

If you have any photos or videos of the accident scene, be sure to give them to your attorney. This footage can be used as evidence to support your case. It’s a vital component of your ridesharing accident document checklist.

For example, if there are skid marks on the road, photos could indicate that the other driver was speeding or driving recklessly. Additionally, if there are visible wounds in the photos or videos, it could help to prove the severity of your injuries. 

 

A Ridesharing Accident Injury Report

It’s vital to contact Uber or Lyft after an accident. When you file an injury report with the rideshare company, request a copy of this document to give to your lawyer. The injury report will include important information, such as:

  • The time and location of the accident
  • A description of the accident
  • The name and contact information of the other driver
  • The name and contact information of any witnesses

This document acts as evidence to support your claims. It can also help your lawyer determine who may be liable for the accident.

 

A Police Report

Always call the police after a rideshare accident and request a copy of the police report. This document will include important information that’ll support your case, such as the following:

  • A description of the accident scene
  • The officer’s assessment of who was at fault
  • Information on all parties involved

The police report is essential because it’s an unbiased account of what happened. Again, this document can help to prove who’s at fault, which is vital in a ridesharing accident case. Rideshare accidents aren’t as straightforward as regular car accidents because multiple parties are involved.

Therefore, Uber or Lyft may not be responsible for your damages as a passenger. Showing a police report to your attorney helps them to determine who to file a suit against.

 

Eyewitness Testimonies

Although witness testimony isn’t the same as photos and videos, it’s still important, because it provides first-hand accounts of what happened. This information is vital in building a solid case.

Also, if the case goes to court, witnesses can provide testimony to support your claims. Here are a few things to keep in mind when gathering witness information:

  • Get the full name and contact information of each witness
  • Write down what each witness saw
  • Ask if the witness is willing to provide a written or recorded statement

If a witness is reluctant to provide more information, see if they’re willing to speak to your lawyer instead. In some cases, people may be more comfortable talking to an attorney than providing a statement to you or the police.

 

Who Pays After a Ridesharing Accident?

When it comes to rideshare accident liability, the question of who is responsible gets a bit tricky. The answer to who passengers should turn to for compensation depends on the circumstances of the accident.

Uber and Lyft drivers aren’t employees of the companies. Instead, they’re classified as independent contractors, according to the National Labor Relations Board. Therefore, a rideshare driver’s app has to be on during a trip to be covered by the company’s liability insurance.

But if you’ve requested a ride through a rideshare app, and you’re in the vehicle at the time of an accident, you’ll be covered under Uber or Lyft’s liability insurance. Uber and Lyft provide coverage of up to $1 million per incident.

There are some situations in which Uber or Lyft won’t cover a rideshare accident. For instance, if the accident was caused by a third party (such as a truck driver), then you would file a claim against the trucking company’s insurance policy.

If the third party isn’t a commercial driver, and they’re proven to be at fault, then they’d be responsible for your damages. However, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies cover passengers hit by uninsured/underinsured motorists during a rideshare trip. Therefore, if the other driver can’t cover your expenses, you’ll still be protected.

 

Creating an Effective Ridesharing Accident Document Checklist

If you’re injured in a ridesharing accident, it’s important to collect all of the necessary information for your ridesharing accident document checklist. Doing so will help your lawyer assess your case and determine possible compensation.

At Beach Accident Attorneys, we have the legal expertise to get you the compensation you deserve. Our Newport Beach accident attorneys can address your questions during your free consultation. Call us at 949-688-4182 or contact us online

 

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