One second you are chatting in the back seat, the next you hear the crunch of metal and glass. An Uber crash can leave anyone shaken, unsure what to do, and worried about mounting bills. 

At Morain & Buckelew, LLC, we have spent more than 65 years guiding injured clients through days like this. 

In the following paragraphs, we provide clear, step-by-step advice on protecting your health, rights, and any compensation you may need.

Immediate Actions to Take After an Uber Accident

The minutes right after impact feel chaotic, yet the choices you make can shape your claim later. The goal is to stay safe, collect information, and set a strong record before memories fade.

Prioritize Safety: Check Yourself and Others for Injuries

Before anything else, look around and ask if anyone is hurt. If you can move without pain, step to a secure spot away from traffic and hazards. Turning on hazard lights or setting out flares helps other drivers see the scene.

Contact the Authorities

Dial 911 so law enforcement and emergency crews arrive quickly. A police report creates an official account that insurance carriers often rely on. Give the officer precise details such as time, intersection, vehicle makes, and any road hazards. Before leaving, write down the report number or snap a photo of the officer’s card.

Gather Information and Evidence

Your phone is your best tool at the scene, helping you capture details you might forget later.

• Exchange names, phone numbers, driver’s license, and insurance details with every driver involved.
• Ask witnesses for their contact information in case the fault is disputed.
• Take wide shots of the intersection and close-ups of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic lights, and any visible injuries.
• Make a quick note of the weather, lighting, and any reckless behavior you observed, such as speeding or phone use.

Seek Medical Attention

Even a low-speed crash can jolt the spine or cause a concussion. Visit an emergency room, urgent care, or your personal doctor as soon as possible, and describe every symptom, no matter how minor. Your medical chart becomes proof that the crash caused your injuries, not some later event.

Report the Accident

Uber wants to know about collisions right away. Passengers can open the trip receipt in the Uber app, tap “Get help,” and select the Safety Incident Reporting Line. Drivers can use the Safety Toolkit by pressing the blue shield on their map. Follow the prompts, upload photos, and keep any confirmation email for your records.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Call your own auto carrier, even if you were a passenger. Share basic facts such as date, time, and police report number, but avoid guessing who caused the crash until you have legal advice. This early notice keeps you within policy deadlines.

Understanding Insurance Coverage in Rideshare Accidents

In Georgia, the insurance that applies to a rideshare crash depends entirely on what the driver was doing in the Uber app when the collision happened:

• If the driver was off duty (app closed), only the driver’s personal auto policy and the state’s minimum required coverage are available.
  
• If the driver was online but waiting for a request, Uber provides a secondary (“contingent”) policy that supplements the driver’s own insurance up to moderate limits.
  
• If the driver had already accepted a trip or had a passenger on board, Uber’s much larger primary policy takes over, offering coverage that climbs into the seven-figure range.

Because that top-tier protection activates only after a ride is accepted, confirming the driver’s exact app status at the moment of impact is crucial. Uber’s electronic logs capture this information; an attorney can obtain those records if necessary.

Potential Compensation and Claims

A serious collision often involves more than repair bills. Documenting every dollar lost increases your chance of full recovery later.

1. Medical Expenses: Ambulance fees, hospital stays, surgery, therapy, and future care if your injuries linger.
2. Lost Wages: Paychecks missed during recovery and any reduced future earning power.
3. Property Damage: Costs to fix or replace your car, phone, laptop, or other items damaged inside the vehicle.
4. Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, stress, sleep loss, and how the crash affects everyday life.

Save receipts, prescription lists, pay stubs, and even a daily pain journal. Clear records help calculate fair value and shorten negotiations with insurers.

When to Contact an Attorney

Some collisions settle smoothly, yet many hit roadblocks. You should reach out for legal help if any of the following apply:

• You sustained injuries that keep you from work or require ongoing care.
• An insurance carrier denies or delays your claim.
• The driver at fault lacks enough coverage.
• There is disagreement over who caused the crash.
• The crash involved a commercial vehicle, such as an Uber or Lyft.
• You feel unsure about deadlines or next steps.

A lawyer can gather black-box data, subpoena Uber records, and push back when insurers undervalue injuries.

How Morain & Buckelew, LLC Can Help

Our firm has spent decades standing up for injured people across Georgia and beyond. We combine deep courtroom experience with a personal approach, learning each client’s story before building the case. From securing police body-cam footage to lining up medical specialists, we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing.

Clients tell us they appreciate straight talk, steady communication, and a tireless work ethic that does not quit until the case is resolved. If an Uber accident turned your life upside down, one conversation can start the path forward. Call 404-448-3146 or visit our website to arrange a free review today. We are ready to fight for the best result possible.