What to do after an Uber accident

An Uber crash can leave you rattled and unsure of what to do, especially when it’s not your car and not your insurance on the line. The reassuring part is that the steps look a lot like any car accident, with a few rideshare-specific twists. In short: get to safety, call the police, document the ride in the app, see a doctor, and be careful about what you tell the insurance companies.

If you were hurt, an Orlando car accident lawyer at DWK Law (Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna, Ruffier & Sos) can walk you through each step. Here’s what to do.

What should you do in the first few minutes after an Uber crash?

Start with safety. Make sure someone has called 911 to report the crash and get emergency medical help if anyone is injured.

When police arrive, they’ll investigate what happened, identify witnesses, and talk to everyone involved, then compile it into an accident report that can become key evidence later.

Here’s the rideshare-specific step most people miss: take a screenshot of your trip in the app before it updates. It helps prove you were in the vehicle and that the driver was actively working, which can make a real difference in your claim.

Should you report the accident to Uber?

Yes, but carefully. Calling the police is often required under Florida law, and you can also report the crash through the Uber app. When you do, Uber saves the ride information and forwards the incident to its insurance claims department to decide whether it needs to follow up.

Our advice: share information sparingly. If you haven’t talked to an attorney yet, answer only what’s asked and avoid volunteering details no one requested.

Should you see a doctor after an Uber accident if you feel fine?

Yes, if you are experiencing any symptoms, see a doctor soon and report your symptoms from head to toe.  A prompt visit documents your condition right after the crash, and it can catch injuries you might not notice yet. Soft tissue damage and internal bleeding can take hours or days to show up, so “no visible injuries” doesn’t always mean “no injuries.”

There’s also a deadline to know about. Florida PIP benefits require you to get initial treatment within 14 days of the accident. If you do not receive qualifying initial medical care within 14 days, you may lose eligibility for PIP medical benefits related to the crash. Seeing a doctor quickly also builds the strongest possible link between the crash and your injuries.

Whose insurance actually pays — Uber’s or the driver’s?

It depends on the driver’s app status when the crash happened. But first: because Florida is a no-fault state, PIP coverage may pay a portion of your initial medical expenses regardless of who caused the crash. Which PIP coverage applies can depend on your insurance status and the circumstances of the ride. (Property damage is handled separately, through the at-fault driver’s coverage or your own collision policy.) You may also be able to pursue the at-fault party for damages not covered by PIP. Florida requires a statutory injury threshold for certain noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering. 

Uber carries substantial coverage for its drivers, but how much applies depends on the app’s status. If the driver had the app off, their personal auto insurance may apply, depending on the policy and circumstances. If the app was on but they hadn’t accepted a ride yet, Uber provides limited coverage. And if the driver was en route to a pickup or already had a passenger, Florida law requires at least $1 million in primary liability coverage. So if you were riding in the Uber when the crash happened, that top tier is usually in play.

Should you give the insurance company a recorded statement?

Be careful before giving a recorded statement. Your obligations may differ depending on whether you are dealing with your own insurer or another party’s insurer, so you should speak with an attorney first. During the claims process, insurers often ask for a recorded statement, and we generally advise clients to hold off. The adjuster’s strategy is to pay as little as possible while staying within Florida law, which means anything you say can be used to their advantage. Even a reflexive “I’m fine, thanks” can come back to hurt your case.

If you do speak with them, don’t volunteer anything and answer only what’s asked. Better yet, once you’re working with an attorney, we handle those conversations for you.

Hurt in an Uber? Let DWK Law deal with the app, the driver, and the insurers

However the crash happened, whether the Uber driver ran a light, got distracted, or was careless in another way, you shouldn’t have to untangle three insurance policies while you’re trying to heal. That’s our job.

When you work with DWK Law, we take over communication with the app, the driver, and every insurer involved, so you can focus on recovery. Call us at (407) 244-3000 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation and talk through your options.