Uber Accident Lawyer
While car accidents are commonplace in society, few people know what to do when they are involved in one. Because of the instincts of the body, most people panic or shut down. However, when involved in an accident, those two natural responses are potentially dangerous. See, adrenaline and the fight-or-flight response can lead to you moving around with an injury, which might make the injury worse. Also, fear that leads to no response at all can leave you in harm’s way. Therefore, it is necessary to take control of the situation, even if you are a passenger, even if there is a professional, like an Uber driver, behind the wheel of the car. Take the reins and keep everyone safe.
Breathe and Assess
When an accident happens, the best thing you can do is breathe and assess the damage. Check your entire body for any signs of blood or injury. Take a mental note of how you are feeling. Do you have any abdominal pain? Is your neck sore? Once you have checked yourself, check on the welfare of the other passengers and the driver.
Call Emergency Services
While everyone in your vehicle might be OK, you do not know the condition of everyone involved in the accident. Therefore, you need to call 911 and get the police and EMTs to the scene as quickly as possible. Also, even when the accident does not result in serious injury, it is necessary to call the police to make an incident report for insurance and claims purposes.
Get to a Safe Place and Wait for Help
If you can move, get yourself and others free of the wreckage. Vehicles that have been involved in a collision may act unstable, meaning that strange things can happen, like the engine may continue running despite the key being removed. Also, an accident may have caused a leak or other problem that makes the vehicles both unsound and unsafe.
Once everyone is safe at the side of the road, it is necessary to wait for assistance. While some may find it tempting to leave the scene, especially as a passenger, leaving might only escalate tension and create problems for police when they arrive. Stay put and try to keep everyone calm.
Document the Scene
Once the police and emergency services arrive, you can begin documenting the scene and gather information. You should take pictures of the wreckage and your injuries. Also, get the contact information of the drivers, passengers and witnesses for insurance purposes.
Whether involved in an Uber accident or an ordinary accident, the procedure immediately following the wreck is the same. Once everyone is safe, and the damage assessed professionally, you can contact a car accident attorney in Des Moines, IA to discuss a claim.
Thanks to Johnston | Martineau, LLP for their insight into personal injury claims and Uber car accidents.
