What To Do After A Rideshare Incident
After an incident involving a ridesharing company, your first priority should be to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of everyone else involved. Once you do, document the scene thoroughly. Take pictures and videos of all vehicles involved, ideally before they are moved. Additionally, take a screenshot of the rideshare app showing your location and route at the time of the crash.
Next, call 911 to report the incident and seek medical assistance if necessary. While waiting for help, gather details from witnesses and note any potential security cameras nearby, such as Ring or DoorBird cameras on private homes, business surveillance systems, or government-operated cameras at intersections. Acting quickly and systematically ensures critical evidence is preserved, which could be critical for your claim later on.
Calling 911 immediately after a wreck is vital for several reasons. For one, there’s no guarantee the other driver will stay at the scene, exchange information, or act responsibly—they might leave, leaving you without key details for your claim.
On top of this, having the police there ensures that an unbiased third party documents the incident through an official report. This is the only opportunity to gather initial statements from everyone involved, which are often unfiltered and key for determining fault. These statements can carry significant weight in setting the tone for any subsequent case or claim. Quick action demonstrates your responsibility and preserves evidence, which is invaluable in the long run.
What You Can Do To Gather Evidence
Photos you can take with your phone are absolutely fine for legal purposes. The key is to document as much as possible. Take pictures or videos of all vehicles involved, including license plates, points of impact, and any visible damage, as well as the surroundings, such as road signs, traffic signals, skid marks, and weather conditions.
If possible, document the positions of the vehicles before they are moved. Video footage can be especially helpful here since it provides a more comprehensive view of the scene. These visual records can play a crucial role in establishing liability and supporting your claim later on.
Documenting the scene of a rideshare incident is key because it provides objective evidence that can help establish fault. Points of impact, the severity of vehicle damage, and the condition of the surrounding area can reveal a lot about what actually transpired.
Unlike statements those involved or witnesses make, which can be subjective and open to interpretation, photos and videos offer clear, undeniable proof. This kind of evidence carries significant weight in resolving disputes, as it eliminates much of the he-said-she-said uncertainty. More than this, visual documentation can make it harder for others to dispute the facts, ultimately strengthening your claim and supporting your case in a legal or insurance context.
What To Do If You Cannot Document The Incident Scene Yourself
If you’re unable to document a rideshare incident scene due to injuries or other circumstances, there are still steps you can take to ensure key evidence is preserved. One option is to call a trusted friend or family member and ask them to come to the scene to assist.
Beyond calling 911, as I just mentioned, which ensures police arrive to gather information and create a report and serves as critical documentation, you can ask witnesses to involve themselves. If any are present, ask for their contact information and request their assistance in recording details. Even bystanders at the scene may be willing to help capture photos or videos. Doing so can prove invaluable for preserving evidence that supports your claim later on.
Shawn Gozarkhah, a skilled attorney at The Law Man Group, APC in California, has extensive experience helping victims navigate the aftermath of rideshare incidents. With a proven track record of securing favorable outcomes, Shawn understands the critical importance of preserving evidence and acting decisively. His personalized approach ensures clients feel supported and informed throughout the legal process.
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, contact Shawn today to protect your rights and build a strong case for the compensation you deserve.
Seeking Medical Attention
After a rideshare incident, you need to seek medical attention even if you don’t feel immediate pain. Adrenaline so often masks injuries at the scene, and symptoms might not appear for hours or even days.
Subtle sensations like numbness, tingling, dull aches, or shooting pains can signal underlying issues that need prompt medical evaluation. Ignoring these signs could allow injuries to worsen or complicate your recovery. Getting examined by a healthcare professional ensures potential injuries are identified early, allowing for effective treatment and documentation that may be critical for your claim.
The Power Of Strong Evidence
Strong evidence can completely transform a case. Unfortunately, objective evidence isn’t always readily available. However, I’ve seen many situations where we’ve had to step in and turn things around, especially when a client initially handled the case themselves or worked with a different lawyer. Once a liability determination is made by the other side, it becomes much harder to overturn their initial decision. That’s why presenting strong evidence as early as you can is so crucial.
That said, it’s not outright impossible to change the course of a case later on. In one instance, we took on a case after a liability determination had already been made against our client. We conducted a thorough investigation, visiting the scene and speaking with neighbors. One neighbor recalled the incident and, incredibly, had Ring camera footage that captured everything. The video clearly showed our client was not at fault.
This piece of evidence was an absolute game-changer. Once we presented it to the opposing side, they quickly realized their insured’s version of events wouldn’t hold up in court. They couldn’t risk putting their insured on the stand. As a result, we secured everything we demanded, achieving a far better outcome for our client. It’s a great reminder that thorough investigation and strong evidence can make all the difference in a case.
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
For more information on After The Impact, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (818) 699-0492 today.
Shawn Gozarkhah, a skilled attorney at The Law Man Group, APC in California, has extensive experience helping victims navigate the aftermath of rideshare incidents. With a proven track record of securing favorable outcomes, Shawn understands the critical importance of preserving evidence and acting decisively. His personalized approach ensures clients feel supported and informed throughout the legal process.
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, contact Shawn today to protect your rights and build a strong case for the compensation you deserve.
