The Short Answer
If your Uber crashes, first check yourself and others for injuries, call 911, and move to a safe location if possible. Report the accident to the police and Uber, gather evidence at the scene, save your ride information, and get medical care for any injuries. Before discussing a settlement with an insurance company, speak with an Indiana rideshare accident lawyer about your rights.
Key Takeaways
- If your Uber crashes, check for injuries, get to a safe place, call 911, and remain at the scene until you can safely leave.
- Gather evidence, including photos, witness information, driver and vehicle details, and screenshots showing that you were an Uber passenger when the accident happened.
- Report the accident to Uber, but be careful about making detailed statements about your injuries or accepting a settlement before you understand the full impact of the crash.
- Depending on how the accident happened, compensation may come from the Uber driver’s coverage, another driver’s insurance, or other available insurance.
- An Indiana rideshare accident lawyer can investigate which insurance policies apply and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Table of Contents
- 10 Steps To Take if Your Uber Crashes
- What Happens After an Uber Crash?
- How Does Insurance Work After an Uber Accident?
- Who Is Responsible When an Uber Crashes?
- How Can an Indiana Uber Accident Lawyer Help?
- Why Work With the Ken Nunn Law Office After an Uber Accident?
- Uber Crash FAQs
- Get Experienced Legal Help After Your Uber Accident
10 Steps To Take if Your Uber Crashes
The moments immediately after a rideshare accident can be confusing, but knowing what to do if your Uber crashes can help protect your health, preserve important evidence, and put you in a better position to pursue compensation for your injuries.
If you’re able, take these steps:
1. Check for Injuries & Move to Safety
If your Uber crashes, first check yourself, your driver, and anyone else involved for injuries. If possible, move away from traffic or other hazards while remaining near the accident scene.
Do not try to move someone who may have a serious neck, back, or head injury unless staying in place creates an immediate danger.
2. Call 911 & Report the Accident
Call 911 if anyone is injured, the vehicles are badly damaged, or the crash creates a safety hazard. Police and emergency medical personnel can respond to the scene, provide assistance, and create an official record of the accident.
Before leaving, ask how you can obtain the accident report or report number. This report can become useful evidence when determining how the crash happened and who was responsible.
3. Get Medical Care
Get medical attention as soon as possible if you were hurt or begin experiencing symptoms after the crash. Some injuries, including concussions, whiplash, and soft tissue injuries, may not be immediately obvious.
Medical care also creates evidence showing when your symptoms began, what injuries were diagnosed, and what treatment you needed after the Uber accident.
4. Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you’re physically able, gather as much evidence as possible before leaving the scene. Useful evidence can include:
- Photos and videos of the vehicles
- Vehicle damage
- License plates
- Traffic signals and signs
- Road and weather conditions
- Debris or skid marks
- Visible injuries
The more information you preserve, the easier it may be to determine what happened later.
5. Exchange Driver & Witness Information
Get the Uber driver’s name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance information. You should also collect the same information from any other drivers involved in the accident.
If anyone witnessed the crash, ask for their name and contact information. Independent witnesses can provide important information if there’s disagreement about what caused the collision.
6. Save Your Uber Ride Information
Take screenshots of your active or recently completed Uber trip before information becomes harder to locate. Save details such as:
- Your driver’s name
- The driver’s photo
- Vehicle make and model
- License plate number
- Pickup location
- Destination
- Trip route
- Date and time of the ride
This information can help establish that you were an Uber passenger and that an active rideshare trip was underway when the accident happened.
7. Report the Crash to Uber
Uber provides a process for passengers to report accidents through its app and support system.
- Open the Uber app
- Go to your trip history
- Select the ride involved in the crash
- Use the help or safety options to report the accident.
If you can’t access the trip or the app isn’t working, visit Uber’s accident reporting page and keep a record of your report.
Make sure the correct trip is connected to your report and save screenshots or confirmation messages showing that you notified Uber. Reporting the accident to Uber can help create a record of the incident, but it doesn’t determine fault or guarantee payment for your losses.
Reporting the accident to Uber is also different from pursuing compensation for your injuries. Uber’s internal reporting process doesn’t replace a police report, an insurance claim, or legal advice.
8. Be Careful When Insurance Companies Contact You
After a car accident in an Uber, one or more insurance companies may contact you for information. They may ask how the crash happened, what injuries you suffered, or whether you’re willing to provide a recorded statement.
Provide necessary basic information, but avoid guessing, minimizing your injuries, or agreeing to a settlement before you understand the full impact of the accident. An early settlement may not account for future medical treatment, lost income, or other losses.
9. Keep Evidence of Your Injuries & Losses
Continue preserving evidence after you leave the accident scene. Keep information related to your medical treatment, missed work, transportation costs, damaged personal property, and other accident-related expenses.
You may also want to keep notes about your symptoms and how your injuries affect your daily activities. This evidence can help show the full impact the accident has had on your life.
10. Talk to an Indiana Uber Accident Lawyer
Rideshare accidents can involve several drivers, insurance policies, and questions about which coverage applies. An attorney can investigate what happened, identify the responsible parties, preserve evidence, and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
The Ken Nunn Law Office has more than 50 years of experience helping injured people throughout Indiana. Our team can explain your rights, guide you through the next steps, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Happens After an Uber Crash?
The next phase after an Uber crash generally involves determining who caused the accident, identifying available insurance coverage, and evaluating your injuries and financial losses. One or more insurance companies may investigate the crash and review evidence such as:
- The police accident report
- Photos and videos
- Statements from drivers and witnesses
- Uber trip information
- Vehicle damage
- Medical evidence
- Other evidence showing how the accident happened
From there, questions about responsibility and insurance coverage can become more complicated than they are after a typical car accident. Because Uber drivers use their personal vehicles for rideshare services, the coverage that applies can depend on the driver’s status in the Uber app when the crash occurred.
As the insurance process moves forward, you may also receive a settlement offer. Be cautious about accepting an early offer before you know the full extent of your injuries and losses. A settlement may not account for ongoing medical treatment, lost income, future needs, or pain and suffering, and accepting it generally means you can’t seek additional compensation for the accident later.
How Does Insurance Work After an Uber Accident?
Insurance is one of the biggest differences between an Uber accident and an ordinary car crash.
Uber maintains insurance coverage for rideshare activity, but the type and amount of coverage that applies depends on the driver’s status when an accident occurs. Coverage can differ depending on whether a driver is offline, logged into the app and waiting for a request, traveling to pick up a passenger, or completing an active ride.
If you were a passenger in the vehicle, the driver was completing an active Uber trip. Uber currently states that rides during this period have at least $1 million in liability coverage for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties.
However, having insurance available doesn’t mean an injured passenger automatically receives a particular amount of compensation. Liability, injuries, damages, policy terms, and other factors still need to be evaluated.
What if Another Driver Caused the Accident?
If another driver caused the Uber accident, you may be able to pursue compensation through that driver’s liability insurance. However, the situation can become more complicated if the driver is uninsured or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your injuries and other losses.
In these cases, other insurance coverage connected to the Uber ride may apply, depending on the circumstances and policy terms. An attorney can identify all available sources of coverage, deal with the insurance companies, and protect your rights throughout the insurance process.
Who Is Responsible When an Uber Crashes?
Responsibility for an Uber accident depends on what caused the collision. Potentially responsible parties can include:
- The Uber driver: The driver could be responsible if careless driving caused the accident.
- Another motorist: Another driver may be responsible for speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, or another unsafe action.
- Multiple drivers: Responsibility can sometimes be divided among more than one person.
- Another party: Less common cases may involve additional parties, such as those responsible for a defective vehicle or vehicle component.
Determining responsibility requires evidence. An attorney can collect valuable evidence, determine who contributed to your injuries, and help ensure that all available sources of compensation are considered.
How Can an Indiana Uber Accident Lawyer Help?
Uber crashes can raise complicated questions about fault, insurance coverage, and the parties responsible for your injuries. Trying to sort through these issues while recovering can be overwhelming.
An Indiana Uber accident lawyer can help by:
- Investigating how the crash occurred
- Gathering and preserving evidence
- Identifying all potentially responsible parties
- Determining which insurance policies may provide coverage
- Calculating medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses
- Communicating with insurance adjusters
- Reviewing settlement offers
- Negotiating for a full and fair settlement
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit when appropriate
- Preparing your case for trial if the insurance company refuses to offer reasonable compensation
Having legal guidance can also help protect you from making statements or accepting an offer that could limit your recovery. While your attorney handles the insurance and legal issues, you can focus on moving forward.
Why Work With the Ken Nunn Law Office After an Uber Accident?
When an Uber ride unexpectedly ends in an accident, you may suddenly find yourself dealing with medical appointments, missed work, insurance questions, and uncertainty about what to do next. You don’t have to figure out the legal process alone.
For more than 50 years, the Ken Nunn Law Office has protected the rights of injured people throughout Indiana. Our attorneys understand how to investigate rideshare crashes, identify available insurance coverage, and build strong cases based on the evidence. We also know how to deal with insurance companies so you can concentrate on your health.
We represent injured clients on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you. Reach out to our dedicated team for a free case review to discuss your rideshare accident in Indiana and learn about your next steps.
Uber Crash FAQs
What Happens if Your Uber Crashes?
If your Uber crashes, focus first on your safety, report the accident, get medical care if needed, and preserve evidence from the ride and crash scene. Afterward, the accident may be investigated to determine who was responsible and which insurance coverage applies.
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation for your losses. A lawyer can help you navigate each stage of the legal process and protect your rights.
What if You Don’t Feel Hurt Immediately After the Uber Accident?
You may still be injured even if you feel fine immediately after an Uber accident. Stress and adrenaline can temporarily mask pain, while symptoms of concussions, whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and other conditions may appear or worsen later.
Pay attention to new or changing symptoms and seek medical attention if you experience pain or other signs of injury. Prompt medical care can protect your health and provide evidence connecting your injuries to the accident.
Do You Get Paid if Your Uber Crashes?
You don’t automatically receive compensation simply because your Uber was involved in an accident. If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, however, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.
Can You Sue Uber if Your Driver Crashes?
Whether you can sue Uber directly depends on how the accident happened and the circumstances of your case. Uber generally classifies its drivers as independent contractors, which can make determining the company’s responsibility more complicated.
Even when Uber itself isn’t responsible, other sources of compensation may be available. An attorney can investigate the crash and determine which parties may be responsible for your losses.
I Was a Passenger in an Uber Accident. Can I Recover Compensation?
If you were injured as a passenger in an Uber accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation. Depending on who caused the crash, compensation may be available through insurance associated with the Uber ride, another driver’s insurance, or another applicable policy. An attorney can identify all available sources of compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in an Uber?
You may be able to pursue compensation for both the financial and personal effects of the Uber accident. Depending on your case, recoverable losses may include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, medical equipment, and necessary future treatment.
- Lost income: Wages or other income you lost while your injuries prevented you from working.
- Reduced earning ability: Losses resulting from an injury that limits your ability to work or earn income in the future.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, disability, and other ways your injuries affect your daily life.
- Property and other losses: Damaged personal belongings and other reasonable accident-related expenses.
There’s no standard amount that every injured Uber passenger receives. The value of a lawsuit depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, your medical treatment, lost income, available insurance coverage, and evidence showing who caused the accident.
Are Uber and Lyft Accidents Handled the Same Way?
Uber and Lyft accidents involve many of the same legal issues, including negligence, rideshare insurance, and determining what the driver was doing when the crash occurred. However, the companies have separate insurance policies, and the coverage available can depend on the circumstances of the individual accident.
An attorney can review the specific rideshare service, driver status, insurance policies, and other facts to determine what coverage may apply.
Should You Report an Uber Accident to the Police?
You should call 911 after an Uber accident when someone is injured, emergency assistance is needed, or the crash creates a safety hazard. A police response can also create an official record of when and where the accident occurred and who was involved.
If possible, ask how to obtain the accident report or report number before leaving the scene. This report can provide useful evidence when the crash is later investigated.
Should You Talk to Uber’s Insurance Company After a Crash?
An insurance representative may contact you after an Uber accident to ask about the crash, your injuries, and your medical treatment. You can provide necessary basic information, but be cautious about giving detailed or recorded statements, guessing about what happened, or minimizing injuries that are still being evaluated.
You can also speak with an attorney before accepting a settlement. A rideshare accident lawyer can deal with the insurance companies and evaluate whether an offer accounts for your current and future losses.
Should I Accept an Insurance Settlement After an Uber Accident?
You don’t have to accept the first settlement offered after an Uber accident. Before agreeing to an offer, consider whether it accounts for all of your medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.
Accepting a settlement generally requires you to give up your right to seek additional compensation for the accident. An attorney can review an offer and help you understand whether it adequately addresses your losses before you make a decision.
How Long Do You Have To Sue After an Uber Accident in Indiana?
In many Indiana personal injury cases, you generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit. However, shorter deadlines can apply depending on the circumstances.
Contacting an attorney soon after the accident gives them more time to preserve important evidence and make sure your lawsuit is pursued within the applicable deadlines.
Get Experienced Legal Help After Your Uber Accident
When a routine Uber ride suddenly becomes an accident, figuring out what comes next can feel complicated. Knowing what to do if your Uber crashes is only the beginning. You may also need to determine who caused the collision, which insurance coverage applies, and how to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Our Indiana rideshare accident lawyers at the Ken Nunn Law Office can help you determine the next steps in your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. If you were injured in a car accident in an Uber, contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review. We’re ready to answer your questions, explain your legal options, and advocate for you.
