If you’re asking what steps should I take immediately after a collision with an app-based ride service vehicle, start by securing everyone’s safety and calling 911 if anyone is injured. If it’s safe, move vehicles out of traffic and set hazard lights, but do not move anyone with suspected head, neck, or back injuries. Even minor symptoms can worsen, and an EMS report created at the scene supports both medical care and any later claim.
Control the scene by turning on hazard lights, placing cones or flashers when available, and limiting conversations to factual statements about what you saw. Photograph the scene, screenshot the trip page, collect witness contacts, and use the app’s safety tools to file an in-app report; before leaving, record the responding officer’s name and report number and tell police the vehicle was operating as a rideshare.
What you need to know
Quick action after a crash protects people and preserves evidence you will need later. Below is a simple checklist covering safety, documentation, reporting and early medical steps.
- Secure safety: Call 911 for injuries, keep people out of traffic when safe, and avoid moving anyone with suspected head, neck, or back trauma.
- Preserve evidence: Photograph vehicle positions, damage and injuries; screenshot in-app trip data and timestamps; and collect witness names and numbers.
- Report promptly: Get a police report, report the crash in the app, notify your insurer within 24 to 48 hours, and avoid admitting fault.
- Document medical care: Seek prompt medical evaluation, follow treatment recommendations, and keep all records and bills to support a claim.
- Call an attorney when needed: Contact counsel for moderate or severe injuries, disputed liability, unclear app status, or insurer resistance.
First priorities at the scene
At the scene, immediate priorities are safety and basic documentation. Triage, secure the area and get help for anyone who is hurt. Keep injured people still until EMS arrives and do not move someone with suspected head, neck or back injuries unless there is an immediate life-threatening danger; an EMS report made at the scene documents complaints and treatment and is often important later.
If you can do so safely, use the ride app to make an in-app report or screenshot trip details while you wait for responders, and ask passengers to tell officers the vehicle was a rideshare so the ride status is recorded. Before leaving, photograph vehicle positions and damage, capture license plates and nearby landmarks, and write down the responding officer’s name, badge number, report number, time and exact location. Collect witness names and numbers and make brief notes about what each witness saw so you can follow up later.
Document and preserve evidence at the scene
Strong, time-stamped evidence reduces disputes about what happened. Use your phone to capture photos and video, then back up files to the cloud or to your email so metadata remains accessible. Detailed guidance on car accident evidence: what to gather can help you prioritize what to collect at the scene.
Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, capture license plates and VINs, document interior damage and airbag deployment, and take close-ups of visible injuries. Also photograph road clues such as skid marks, debris, lane markings, traffic signals and signage to show context. Screenshot the trip receipt, driver profile, route map and any in-app crash reporting confirmations before you close the app. Ask nearby businesses to preserve surveillance footage and check whether anyone in the area has dashcam video; record who agreed to preserve footage. Make brief written notes of what each witness saw and include those notes with your photos and screenshots. For a broader list of items to collect, see the Personal Injury Checklist: 9 Steps to Protect Your Case.
- Wide shots showing vehicle positions, lane markers and the overall context of the scene.
- Close-ups of damage on every vehicle, license plates and visible VINs.
- Interior photos showing airbag deployment, seatbelts, dashboard and any visible passenger injuries.
- Road clues such as skid marks, debris and traffic signals or signage.
- Images showing any rideshare identifiers, the driver photo in the app and the vehicle’s license plate.
Report the crash: police, in-app and insurers
Getting official records and reporting promptly matters. Call police so an official report records vehicle positions, weather, officer observations and any citations; ask the officer to note airbag deployment and visible injuries and to record that the vehicle was operating as a rideshare. Report the incident in the ride app and to insurers as soon as possible—save confirmations and screenshots, then notify your own auto insurer within 24 to 48 hours. Keep statements factual and avoid admitting fault. For step-by-step guidance on immediate actions after a rideshare crash, see Top Five Things To Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident.
Understand rideshare insurance and who pays
Rideshare insurance depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash. Rideshare coverage is layered and usually depends on whether the driver had the app on, had accepted a ride, or had a passenger onboard. Insurers and platforms commonly divide events into three phases: phase 1 (app on but no ride accepted), phase 2 (en route to pick up a passenger), and phase 3 (passenger onboard). In phase 1 a driver’s personal policy often covers liability and damage, while phases 2 and 3 commonly trigger the platform’s commercial coverage with higher limits. If another motorist caused the crash, pursue that driver’s insurer under standard third-party liability rules. Coverage disputes are common, so preserve timestamps, screenshots and app data right away and contact counsel if insurers deny or delay coverage. For an explanation of how rideshare working phases can impact your claim, see this overview.
After the scene: treatment, billing and repairs
After the immediate danger passes, focus on medical care and careful record-keeping. Prompt treatment and organized records protect both your health and your claim. Soft-tissue injuries, concussions and internal trauma can show up later, and early documentation strengthens any claim. Keep a single physical folder or a secure digital file with visit notes, test results, prescriptions and referrals so your medical timeline is clear and accessible.
Organize every bill and estimate related to the crash and request itemized medical statements. Save receipts for transportation, prescriptions and other out-of-pocket costs, and keep an expense log with dates and amounts. For vehicle repairs, photograph damage, keep towing and rental receipts, and get at least one independent estimate before accepting an insurer’s repair offer. Do not give recorded injury statements to the other side’s insurer or sign releases before consulting a lawyer, since those actions can limit recovery.
When to call a lawyer to protect your claim
Call an attorney early whenever injuries, coverage or evidence are in question. App logs, GPS records and ride data are often time-limited and may be overwritten if not preserved quickly. If you need help to retrieve your Uber trip history for a lawsuit or preserve app records, specialized guidance can be critical. Contact an attorney if you have moderate to severe injuries, disputed liability, major vehicle damage, unclear app status, or if insurers refuse to produce critical records. Early legal help makes it easier to preserve evidence and meet filing deadlines.
An experienced rideshare lawyer can issue preservation letters to insurers and platforms, subpoena app logs and GPS data, collect surveillance and dashcam footage, and retain medical experts. Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC handles commercial vehicle and rideshare matters, provides 24/7 intake and a free consultation, and represents clients on a contingency basis so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. For an overview of Uber’s driver insurance overview and the platform’s coverage tiers, review the company’s insurance information when evaluating claims.
Take clear, decisive steps now to protect your rights
After a collision with an app-based ride service vehicle, prioritize safety and evidence preservation: call 911 if needed, photograph the scene and vehicle damage, screenshot trip details, exchange contact and insurance information, and obtain the police report. Keep a clear record of medical care and expenses, and preserve any dashcam or surveillance footage. Act quickly to protect both medical and financial recovery. If your crash involved a Lyft vehicle, you may also find guidance specific to local Lyft claims in resources for those pursuing a Lyft accident claim in Los Angeles.