One moment you’re scrolling through your phone waiting to arrive at your destination, and the next, you’re caught in the middle of a crash you never saw coming. Rideshare accidents are more common than most people realize, and the aftermath can be overwhelming, confusing, and financially devastating if you’re not careful.
Unlike a typical car accident, rideshare crashes involve multiple layers of liability, corporate insurance policies, and legal complexities that most passengers are completely unprepared for. The rideshare company’s insurer isn’t on your side, and every decision you make in those critical early moments can either protect or seriously damage your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Whether you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, or another driver involved in the collision, knowing what not to do could be the difference between a successful claim and walking away with nothing. Here are eight things you should never do after a rideshare accident.
1. Never Leave the Scene Without Documenting Everything
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is leaving the scene too quickly. Before you go anywhere, take photos and videos of the vehicles involved, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
Gather the names, phone numbers, and insurance details of all drivers involved. Note the rideshare driver’s name, vehicle information, and trip details from the app. This documentation could become the backbone of your entire claim later on.
2. Never Skip Calling the Police
Even if the accident seems minor, never assume you don’t need a police report. A formal report creates an official record of the incident, which is essential when dealing with rideshare companies, insurance adjusters, and potentially the courts.
Without a police report, it becomes a matter of your word against someone else’s. Insurance companies are far more likely to dispute claims that lack official documentation. Always insist that law enforcement responds to the scene, regardless of how small the crash appears.
3. Never Delay Seeking Medical Attention
After an accident, adrenaline can mask pain and symptoms that are actually quite serious. Many injuries, including whiplash, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries, do not present themselves immediately after a crash.
Failing to seek prompt medical care not only puts your health at risk but also weakens your legal position. Insurance companies often argue that a delay in treatment means your injuries weren’t caused by the accident. Visit a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel perfectly fine, and keep records of every appointment and diagnosis you receive.
4. Never Give a Recorded Statement without Legal Advice
Shortly after your accident, you may receive calls from insurance representatives asking for a recorded statement. This might seem routine, but it is a step you should never take without first consulting an attorney.
Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can minimize your claim or shift blame onto you. Even innocent, well-meaning answers can be used against you later in negotiations or court. Politely decline to give any recorded statement until you have spoken with a rideshare accident attorney who can guide you on what to say and what to avoid.
5. Never Accept the First Settlement Offer
It can be tempting to accept a quick settlement, especially if you’re dealing with medical bills and lost income. However, the first offer from an insurance company is almost never the best one, and it rarely reflects the true value of your claim.
Once you accept a settlement, you typically sign away your right to pursue any further compensation, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially thought. Before agreeing to anything, have an experienced attorney review the offer and assess whether it fully covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs. Patience in this process can mean a significantly better outcome.
6. Never Assume You Know Who Is Liable
Rideshare accidents are legally complex. Liability can fall on the rideshare driver, another driver involved in the crash, the rideshare company itself, or even a combination of all three parties depending on the circumstances.
The driver’s status in the app at the time of the accident matters enormously. Whether they were waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a rider determines which insurance policy applies. Making assumptions about who is responsible without thoroughly investigating the facts can lead you to pursue the wrong party and lose valuable time. Always let a legal professional help determine liability before you proceed with any claims.
7. Never Handle the Claim Entirely on Your Own
Perhaps the most consequential mistake you can make is trying to navigate the entire aftermath of a rideshare accident without professional help. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have large legal and insurance teams whose job it is to limit the amount they pay out on claims.
Going up against those resources alone puts you at a serious disadvantage. A qualified rideshare accident attorney understands how these companies operate, how to investigate the accident properly, and how to build a compelling case on your behalf. Most rideshare accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only owe a fee if you win. The cost of professional legal representation is almost always outweighed by the increased compensation it can help you secure.
8. Never Forget to Report the Incident Through the Rideshare App
“After an accident, many victims focus solely on dealing with the police and insurance companies while completely forgetting to report the incident directly through the Uber or Lyft app. This is a mistake that can complicate your claim significantly,” says Morris Injury Law, a rideshare accident lawyer Las Vegas.
Both Uber and Lyft have in-app reporting features specifically designed for accidents and safety incidents. Reporting through the app creates an official timestamp and a digital record within the company’s own system, making it much harder for them to later dispute when or whether the incident was reported. It also triggers the company’s internal claims process, which is a necessary step in accessing their insurance coverage.
Take a few minutes at the scene, or as soon as you are safely able to, and report the accident directly through the app. Screenshot your confirmation and save any correspondence you receive from the company in response. These records can prove invaluable as your case moves forward.
Final Thoughts
A rideshare accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. The decisions you make in the hours and days that follow can have a lasting impact on your health, finances, and overall well-being.
By avoiding these eight critical mistakes, you give yourself the best possible chance of recovering fully, both physically and financially.