If you live in Chicago, it’s likely that you’ve used a rideshare or taxi at some point. Rideshares like Uber, taxis, Lyft, and other services are booming in the Chicago area, but with so many cars on the road, accidents are bound to happen. Unfortunately, many Chicago rideshare passengers find themselves victims of rideshare accidents, sustaining serious injuries. If you were injured in a rideshare in Chicago, these are the steps you should take to receive compensation for your damages.
Call 911
The first and most important step after being involved in a Chicago rideshare accident is to call 911. Contacting emergency services allows you to file a police report, which will be an essential piece of evidence in your claim. Police reports are an official account of the accident and may include photos of the scene. Another reason to call 911 is to provide medical attention to anyone who is seriously injured. If you are injured during the rideshare accident, your top priority should be your health.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t have an obvious injury, you should still be checked by a medical professional after any car accident. While many car accident injuries are immediately apparent, others take time to develop. It is especially important to be checked for head, neck, and spine injuries, which are among the most serious types of car accident injuries. Document your visits by keeping receipts, diagnoses, medications, and other documents.
Report to Rideshare Company – Uber, Lyft, Taxi Service, etc.
File a report through the rideshare app, then get the contact information of the driver. Be sure to file the report as soon as possible and ask the driver to do the same.
Gather Evidence
If possible, take pictures and videos of the accident. In addition to the driver’s contact information, you should also ask for the insurance information of your driver and any other vehicles involved. Insurance settlements in rideshare accidents are complex, and you want to be sure that you can contact all parties after fault is determined. You can also ask for witness statements from anyone who saw the accident occur. At the scene, ask for a copy of the police report for your records.
Consult With an Attorney
Before you attempt to deal with the aftermath of a rideshare accident on your own, discuss your case with a Chicago car accident lawyer. An attorney has the experience of handling multiple insurance companies at once and can help you gather the type of evidence that will strengthen your claim. In rideshare accidents involving an injury, it’s essential to focus on healing while your attorney builds your case, calculates the compensation you’re owed, and negotiates a fair settlement on your behalf. At the Saperstein Law Group, P.C., our attorneys can help you pursue the compensation that you deserve after being a victim of a rideshare accident. We specialize in rideshare accidents in the Chicago area, bringing knowledge of local, state, and federal laws that work in your favor. Contact us today for a free case evaluation with a member of the Saperstein Law team.