If you are injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Determining who is responsible to pay you for your losses can be 
complicated because more than one driver may have been negligent and a ridesharing company, such as Uber or Lyft, could also be liable.
You need to take steps immediately after the collision to protect your rights and build a winning case so that you recover all the compensation you deserve in your settlement. Here are seven important first steps you should take.
#1: Get Medical Treatment Promptly
Obtain prompt medical care for your injuries if you know you were hurt. You need to be examined by a doctor within 48 hours, even if you believe you weren’t injured or think your injuries are minor. This is important for two reasons:
- You protect your health. You may not experience the symptoms of some serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal and back injuries, or organ damage, for days or longer after your accident.
- You avoid disputes with the insurance company about the cause of your injuries or how serious they are.
#2: Call the Police
Contact the police at the crash scene. They will conduct an investigation into the cause of your collision and will write a police report that will contain important information, such as a narration of how the wreck occurred, who caused it, and whether any traffic citations were issued.
#3: Obtain Contact Information
You should collect the contact information for any drivers involved in the accident, their insurance companies, and the ridesharing company and their insurance company. You should also obtain this information for any witnesses to the crash who can help you prove who caused it.
#4: Take Pictures
Use your cell phone to take photos and video of the damage to the vehicles, weather and road conditions, your injuries, and anything else that may be helpful in establishing who is liable to compensate you. If you are too hurt to preserve this evidence, ask a passenger or a bystander to do this for you.
#5: Report the Accident
You should report the collision to the rideshare company in writing. Confirm that they received your notice of the crash.
#6: Don’t Talk to the Insurance Company
You could receive calls from more than one insurance company in the days after your accident. Do not discuss your claim with them until you have spoken to a lawyer. You could inadvertently say something that weakens your case.
#7: Hire an Attorney
If you want to win your case, you should retain an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the rideshare accident, identify the liable parties, and file claims with their insurance companies on your behalf. They will also fight with the insurance adjusters so that you receive all that you are entitled to in your settlement.
If you or a family member were injured in a rideshare accident in Virginia Beach or Norfolk, our skilled legal team is here to help. To learn about your options, fill out our convenient online form to schedule your free consultation today.
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