5 Unique Ways to Protect Your Rights When Involved in an Uber Accident

Being involved in an Uber accident is not a pleasant experience. You must protect your rights so that you get compensation for those injuries and losses you suffered because of the crash. There are a few general steps that lawyers will advise you to take. But this overview will give you five unique measures to safeguard your rights after an Uber accident.

Remember talking to an experienced personal injury attorney is in your best interest if you want tailored guidance based on your unique circumstances.

1. Record or Document the Accident Scene

Thoroughly documenting the accident scene is critical to protecting your rights after an Uber crash. Photographs are great, but those are not enough.

If you are in a position to do so, please create a video recording. It should comprehensively show the damage’s extent. But if you have sustained injuries, the first thing to do is seek medical attention before this.

When you start recording, capture everything in the surroundings, including the vehicles’ position. Take note of any relevant factors that may have led to the crash. Detailed documentation strengthens your evidence when you bring up a suit or insurance claim.

Working with a rideshare injury lawyer can furthermore play to your benefit. They can help build evidence, record witness statements and help you get the compensation you deserve. They might also hire a private investigator. Or they might check traffic cameras, nearby street CCTV cameras, and dash cams. 

2. Preserve Your Evidence and Conversations

It is crucial to safeguard your rights by safely storing any relevant evidence or materials related to the Uber crash. We are not just talking about the photographs or videos of the impact.

Evidence includes your damaged property, medical bills, and ride details such as pickup and drop-off locations.

When it comes time to file the claim, you must provide all these details, including the date and time. Further still, if you exchanged any text messages with the Uber driver or support team, please preserve all that information.

This is evidenced in the Uber app’s text messages, emails, or chat conversations. Such material can help establish important facts.

You or your lawyer can use it to demonstrate your involvement in the matter of the driver’s negligent behavior. 

3. Get Legal Representation

Uber drivers carry insurance through Uber’s generalized commercial policy. Nonetheless, the extent of coverage from such policies varies and is case specific.

It’s clear, therefore, that to protect your rights, you need to work with a personal injury attorney. These professionals typically analyze insurance policies to uncover liability coverage and maximize compensation for damage.

Even in cases where your insurance coverage comes into play, legal expertise is still vital. This is a good thing because the range could promise extra protection in cases where the Uber driver policy is insufficient. An expert lawyer would know how to claim with one or both insurance companies.

4. Understand Liability Types

In vicarious liability, a company, in this case, Uber, can be held liable for the actions of its employees or contractors. But it’s not always easy to prove that Uber drivers are employees.

An experienced legal partner might find ways to argue this principle that allows you to sue not just the driver but also Uber as a company. The dual approach means one thing – more potential for considerable compensation for you.

Further, we still explore the concept of third-party liability. A multi-strategy course that includes third-party liability should save the day if the vicarious liability approach fails.

In other words, if another driver or a road user caused the accident, you have the right to sue them. And an attorney can help you with the entire legal process.

5. Try Alternative Dispute Resolution

We have to admit that traditional litigation matters take time and can turn out to be too costly. How about settlement negotiation or even mediation?

Considering alternative dispute resolution methods is an intelligent approach. It can be a unique way to protect your rights and expedite the compensation.

Think about mediation or arbitration. Mediation involves bringing a third party who helps in facilitating negotiations.

You, the Uber driver, and Uber representatives will have a dialogue. The goal is to find a mutually agreeable formula for settlement.

Arbitration uses a neutral arbitrator who renders a legally binding decision like a judge. The approach streamlines processes for quicker resolution compared to litigation.

Conclusion

Protecting your rights after an Uber accident is essential. Document the accident scene, preserve evidence, and understand legal liability principles. Working with a personal injury attorney can help ease and accelerate the compensation processes in and out of court.