The rideshare service Uber has become one of the most convenient and popular ways for people to get from place to place all over the United States. It’s becoming more and more difficult to find anyone in Little Rock that hasn’t used Uber at least once when they needed to get somewhere. With just a few taps on your phone, you’ll not only have someone ready to take you to where you need to be, but most people say that the experience is more pleasant and less expensive than the average taxi ride.
Even though the majority of Uber rides and deliveries go off without a hitch, there are occasional problems. Uber drivers are always at risk of being involved in an accident, just like any other motor vehicle operator on the road. Since uber vehicles are privately owned vehicles, however, most people aren’t quite sure what they need to do about reporting an Uber accident, making insurance claims, and taking care of the other details that come up when an auto accident occurs.
Just as with any other vehicle, Uber accidents can happen when the car is carrying a passenger and collides with another car or truck. The car could also hit a pedestrian, walking or on a bicycle, or even hit a parked car on the way to pick up a passenger.
Even though Uber provides undeniably convenient service, there is one major drawback to how their vehicle network operates. Uber drivers locate both their clients and their destinations, wherever they may be, through the use of an app on a mobile device. This creates an undeniable situation where the company’s drivers are often driving with carrying levels of distraction as they check their smartphones for information while they are on the road.
For all the convenience that Uber’s services provide, there is one major drawback to how their network of vehicles operates. Their drivers locate both their clients and their destinations, wherever they may be, through the use of an app on a mobile device. This creates an unavoidable reality that Uber drivers are often driving under varying levels of distraction.
What To Do If You’re In A Car Crash With An Uber Vehicle
If you’re involved in any kind of accident involving an Uber vehicle, whether you are a passenger, a pedestrian, or driving in another card, you should first go through the steps you would take when you are in any motor vehicle accident.
You should call 911 to alert the police and, if necessary, seek medical attention for any type of serious injury. Having a police report available can be a key piece of evidence in personal injury claims. Exchange driver and insurance information. Take pictures of any damage, and take note of anything else you think you might need to file an accident report.
In Arkansas, drivers involved in an accident have a legal obligation to report the crash if:
- a vehicle that was involved in the accident, or some other kind of property, incurred damage in an amount in excess of $1,000, or
- a driver, passenger, or pedestrian suffered bodily injury or death.
The driver must report the accident to the Arkansas Office of Driver Services within 30 days of the incident.
File An Accident Report With Uber
Of course, it’s better to avoid an accident altogether, but if you do happen to get into an accident with an Uber vehicle, the company maintains very good insurance coverage for their drivers and makes it easy to report any type of accident to them. You’ll find accident report forms on their website for drivers, passengers, and third parties who may have been involved. You can also go to the help section of the Uber app on your mobile device to report an accident.
You should report an accident to Uber as soon as you can. It’s always best to make this kind of report while details are fresh in your mind and you’ll most likely get a faster response from Uber. The company is known to respond quickly whenever an accident claim is filed.
What You Shouldn’t Do After An Accident With Uber
Remember, Uber is not necessarily going to offer you what they should, or accept any kind of responsibility for your claim at all just because you file an accident report with them. It is worth listening and considering what the company or their insurance company may say, but you should never agree to or sign anything until you’ve had the opportunity to speak and consult with an experienced Little Rock Uber accident attorney.
Only an auto accident attorney, qualified and experienced with auto accident cases, will be able to give you an objective opinion about your case, who was at fault, and the type of compensation you might be entitled to receive for any medical expenses, damages, or injuries. It is possible that you can give up your rights to file an injury claim or recover any compensation without realizing it if you agree to anything before consulting with a personal injury lawyer. Remember, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a written agreement. Verbal agreements can be just as damaging.
If you’ve been in a car wreck with an Uber vehicle, it is in your own best interest to speak with a car accident lawyer before getting involved in any type of dialogue with Uber or their insurance company representatives.
Schedule A Free Consultation With A Little Rock Arkansas Uber Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident related to the Uber service, whether as a driver, passenger, or third party, the Law Offices Of Alan Levar can help. Our law firm is made up of experienced Little Rock, AR car accident attorneys and we can help protect your rights to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your car accident injuries, property damage, time missed from work, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
We have been working as personal injury attorneys and helping accident victims in the Little Rock area with their car accident claims for more than 20 years. We offer a free consultation and free case evaluation for all personal injury cases. You can reach us online anytime or call toll-free (888) 220-7068 to arrange an appointment. We’ll be happy to go over the details of your case and discuss exactly what we can do to help you.