If you were involved in an accident while using a rideshare service, there are key steps you need to take to ensure not only your safety, but also your right to compensation. Any accident caused by another person’s negligence entitles you to compensation. The amount of compensation you could be owed depends largely upon the severity of your injuries and the nature of your accident. This post explores this topic in more detail, and will tell you about some of the steps you need to take to keep yourself safe and get the payout you deserve.
Check for Injuries
In terms of personal safety, the first thing you need to do after a rideshare accident is check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If the car you are in is not on fire or smoking, experts advise waiting inside of it for emergency services to arrive. This is because sometimes, people suffer internal injuries, which are not immediately apparent, but become significantly worse when people move. Spinal injuries are one type worth knowing about. You should only stay in your car if it is safe to do so, and if nobody else has been hurt. If pedestrians or other drivers are seriously injured and it is safe for you to help, you should. Be sure to photograph your injuries and the accident if you can, too.
Move to Safety
If the car you were travelling in is smoking or on fire, or somebody else’s car is, you need to move to safety. After an accident, fires can turn into explosions. The last thing you want is to be sitting inside of a car when it blows up. If you are, there is a very strong chance that you will die. Moving to safety is a great way to preserve your life and the lives of others. If nobody else is taking proactive measures to get out of the way, make sure you order them to follow you.
Call for Help
Calling for help is also important. If you are stuck in your car and it is on fire, you should call pedestrians or other drivers to help you. If you are injured and not in immediate danger, get in touch with the emergency services yourself. An ambulance will likely be dispatched immediately, and you will be taken to the hospital. While at the hospital, be sure to get written medical certificates and statements that describe your injuries. These can be used to support your claim for compensation. Evidence is essential if you want to make a personal injury claim.
Find a Lawyer
As stated several times above, if you were injured because of somebody else’s negligence, you could be eligible for compensation. The amount of compensation you could be owed depends largely on the severity of your injuries and your involvement in the accident. Find a lawyer specifically for rideshare crashes, so you don’t have to worry about a lack of experience. As well as ensuring that the lawyer you hire specializes in accidents of the kind you were involved in, you need to make sure you find an attorney with good reviews and strong experience. Ideally, they should also offer their services on a no-win-no-fee basis.
Have Some Patience
Patience is very important. Some personal injury cases can take months to resolve. If you have been injured and you are making a claim for compensation, be patient. If you are unable to work because of your injuries, consider applying for disability benefits. A lawyer will be able to help you with the disability benefit application process if you are unable to make a claim for disability benefits yourself due to confusion about how the process works. Make sure you are honest and open about your injuries and that you do not exaggerate them, as this can get you into a lot of trouble.
Focus On Recovery
You need to put a lot of emphasis on your recovery. Focusing on your recovery will make it a lot easier for you to navigate the personal injury claims process, because you will be working on getting better, not thinking constantly about compensation. Remember to keep receipts for any medical expenses you incur, as you can claim the money back as part of your compensation claim. You should send these receipts to your lawyer, so they can include them on your claim. They will also be able to get you a damages payment, too.
If you have been involved in an accident, focus on your immediate safety, then get in touch with a lawyer later. A lawyer can work with you to get the compensation you deserve, which can help you to move forwards with your life and on from the accident you were involved in.
