No matter whether you have been in a ridesharing accident or a more typical car accident, caring for your wellbeing is the first and most important step to take. Once your driver has, hopefully, moved out of the way of traffic and over to a side of the road that is safe, be sure to check yourself for any and all immediately obvious injuries.
The key point here, however, is that not all injuries are apparent in the immediacy of the accident. For this reason, it is important to see a medical professional for an evaluation eventually, but if injuries seem relatively minor, then the following steps should apply, which can also significantly benefit your legal claim.
Check on Other Passengers or Potentially Injured Parties Involved
If you were sharing a ride with friends or other passengers, be sure to check whether those passengers are conscious and responsive as well. If another party to the accident has been seriously injured, make sure to call paramedics and take care to not move the seriously injured individual until paramedics arrive on the scene.
If a passenger’s injuries are minor, they should also adhere to the following tips that can benefit your legal claim.
Document As Much Evidence As Possible
You may be tempted to head home after a ridesharing accident since you may feel tired or simply want to rest after an accident. After all, you are not the driver, which requires you to stick around post-accident. This intuition is a mistake, however, as it leads to missing out on valuable evidence that can build a stronger legal claim.
Instead, follow the proper procedures for a more ordinary car accident, which includes:
- Obtaining contact and insurance info of all drivers involved in the accident
- Discuss the accident with witnesses and obtain contact information, which certainly includes other passengers
- Use your phone to take pictures and record video evidence of the accident scene. In fact, you may even wish to record your interactions with witnesses on the scene that could be used to benefit your case
- When police arrive (and call them if nobody else has), get the officer’s contact information and a report number for the accident, which can be used to receive a police report at a later date
Get Medical Assistance and Thoroughly Document It
This is a critical step, even if you believe you escaped the accident unharmed. Even a minor headache days later could be a sign of dangerous blood clots or similar issues that can prove life-threatening if untreated. And, importantly, failing to seek medical assistance and document your symptoms and injuries can harm your legal claim.
As such, be sure to thoroughly list every injury you have (however minor), and keep accurate records regarding your medical records and documentation from medical professionals. Understand that the treatment you receive that properly outlines your injuries is, in many respects, the key to your personal injury lawsuit.
In effect, storing all your medical records related to the accident for safe-keeping will help you build a strong case when you discuss your claim with one of our ridesharing accident lawyers at The Ledger Law Firm.
For more information about ridesharing accidents and your right to legal compensation after the accident, contact us online for a free consultation.
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