A rapidly growing number of Americans that live in large cities have turned to ride sharing companies to get where they need to go in a timely manner. However, getting to where you want to go in a timely manner can become a distant memory when a rideshare driver gets involved in a car accident.
If you recently were involved in a car accident with an Uber driver, or any other ride sharing vehicle, you need to know how to proceed to ensure you receive maximum insurance coverage. Unlike other types of commercial drivers, most rideshare drivers do not go through a comprehensive vetting and training process. In addition, you have to deal with one or more passengers transported by the driver.
What happens when the time comes to file an insurance claim and you do not have a police report?
Do You Need a Police Report?
Although rideshare drivers provide a professional service, the procedure for handling a vehicle accident is similar to the way you would handle a crash with another non-commercial driver. You should contact the nearest law enforcement agency to report the accident.
After hearing your account and the account of the driver, or any other ride sharing driver, the responding officer might grant you permission to process the scene of the accident, without the presence of a police officer.
Accidents that do not require police reports typically do not involve physical damage to any of the vehicles or to any of the drivers and passengers. Let a police officer determine the need for a police report, not the drivers involved in a vehicle accident.
Filing an Insurance Claim with No Police Report
Insurance companies place a lot of emphasis on what is written in a police report. In lieu of a police report, you have to present the same type of strong evidence presented by a law enforcement agency. This means you must collect plenty of physical evidence that starts by taking photographs of the accident scene, as well as the damage inflicted on your car.
You should also shoot pics of the weather conditions, as bad weather often comes into play when determining what caused a vehicle crash. Poor road conditions can also be the primary cause of a car accident.
Work with a Licensed Personal Injury Attorney
Many vehicle crashes do not present convincing evidence that can help you win an insurance claim request. With an experienced personal injury lawyer in your corner, they will know exactly what to expect from insurance companies.
Your attorney will also collect the documents required to prove your claim, including your medical records and the accounts of witnesses at the scene of the accident.
Schedule a free initial consultation today with a highly rated personal injury lawyer who specializes in litigating vehicle accident cases.
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*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Uber, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.