“I Just Got Into A Rideshare Accident”
When rideshare service applications were first introduced to the general public, they were advertised as safer alternatives for riders. For a while, that was generally agreed upon. It’s convenient, and saves people the hassle of having to assign a “designated driver” on a night out at the club.
But a research study by the University of Chicago challenged that idea. As rideshare services profit from the influx of rideshare drivers on the road to make their response times a lot quicker, the experts have suggested that rideshare apps may actually contribute to the annual 3% increase of all traffic fatalities.
Of course, rideshare services still offer a multitude of benefits to riders, especially those who are way too intoxicated to get behind the wheel. It would be completely inaccurate and irresponsible to frame rideshare as “harmful,” as a separate research study has shown that they actually do contribute to a decrease in DUI as advertised.
But as the true extent of rideshare safety remains to be a subject of debate, riders need to exercise a great deal of caution when using these apps. After all, urban planning is often not conducive to the safety of people.
For this reason, it’s important that we take our safety in our own hands. We must make sure that we are doing the best we can to keep ourselves and others safe. Unfortunately, rideshare accidents still happen no matter how cautious we are. If you find yourself in an accident, you need to heed the following advice:
1. Don’t panic when you get into a rideshare accident
While it is a valid reaction, panicking may only exacerbate the situation and does not at all help in solving the issue at hand. There are steps that you need to do so that you can come out on the other side of the situation with your head above the water.
Learn how to manage your anxiety by taking even and deep breaths in and out. Take a moment to process what just happened, and try to stay as level-headed as you possibly can. Having a clear mind will enable you to act rationally amid a stressful situation. Once you’ve done this, proceed with doing the succeeding steps below.
2. Get the information of the other party and the rideshare driver’s
Once you’ve calmed down, get the at-fault party’s information as well as your rideshare driver’s. Take a picture of both of their driver’s licenses as well as their insurance information. This is extremely important as it will tremendously help you with obtaining the compensation you deserve.
While a personal injury law firm is likely going to pursue compensation from a rideshare company’s insurance as they have a million dollar policy limit, having this information on file will regardless still be helpful in case your legal team needs them.
3. Take pictures of the accident
This depends on whether you’re physically able to. But if you are, take the documentation a step further and try to document the accident as much as you can. Take pictures of the damages inflicted on the rideshare driver’s vehicle, as well as the at-fault party’s. Having these onhand could potentially strengthen your case as it shows how bad the accident actually is.
Take pictures and videos of everything: Any bruising in any parts of your body that you could see, the environment around you, etc. The more thorough the documentation, the likelier you will get the compensation you deserve.
4. Seek medical attention
You need to seek medical attention especially if it is apparent that the rideshare accident caused some physical damage. But even if it seems as though you’re fine, you will need to get yourself checked by a doctor immediately — whether it be in the Emergency Room or Urgent Care.
When you are seen by a doctor, you need to be as detailed about your aches and pains as much as you can. This allows a neutral third-party authority to objectively record, chart, and document your wellbeing which could work favorably for you if you plan on seeking a higher settlement amount.
5. File A Police Report
When you get into a rideshare accident, it’s also extremely important that you file a police report. Similar to your doctor’s visit, you will also need to be as detailed as you can when relaying the events that occurred leading up to the accident so that the police (a neutral third-party authority) can document this. Doing so will strengthen your case.
Call Omega Law Group
Most importantly, you will need a reliable rideshare accident expert to work on your case. It’s not enough to just rely on your insurance company to give you the settlement you deserve. Because they won’t. Unbeknownst to the general public, they are actually incentivized to give the least amount possible to get as much profits for themselves. They are greedy.
Even the level field and get a more favorable compensation by hiring the best personal injury lawyer. The best rideshare expert will be at a firm filled with highly skilled and empathetic legal experts. They will personalize their service to their clients and cater to their unique needs and circumstances.
They will also have a proven track record of success, with over millions of dollars accrued in compensation on behalf of their clients. They will also be highly revered by their peers and clients alike. Look out for whether they’ve been featured in prestigious publications (ie: Los Angeles Business Journal, US News Reports or the Los Angeles Times) or industry-vetted awards (ie: SuperLawyers).
Lastly, you need to look at whether they operate on a contingency fee basis. A personal injury law firm that operates on a contingency fee basis allows clients to acquire quality and equitable legal service without having to worry about any upfront legal fees. This ensures that clients have access to an elite legal representation without having to break the bank.
Omega Law Group has all the aforementioned qualifications. Schedule a free legal consultation now to learn more!