I Was in an Uber Accident, What Should I Do?

A New Orleans attorney can help you fight for the compensation you deserve

Taking an Uber should be a safe and simple way to get around. Maybe you were heading home after work, grabbing a ride from the French Quarter, or on your way to the airport. But then your ride ended in a crash you never saw coming. Now you’re hurt, shaken, and trying to figure out what happens next.

If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. These cases can be confusing, especially when multiple insurance companies are involved. The good news? You have rights and you may be entitled to compensation. The Law Offices of John S. Williams can help you get back on the road to recovery and fight for a maximum settlement. To learn how, contact us today for a free consultation.

“John S Williams is a great attorney! He is very efficient and accessible. His staff is very helpful and makes the process easy. Highly recommend.” – Daniel, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Step one: Get help and report the collision

The most important thing after any crash is your health and safety. If you’re physically able, here’s what you need to do right away:

Call 911.

Louisiana law requires you to report any crash that involves injuries or significant property damage. Calling 911 ensures a police report is filed, which will be a key piece of evidence later. In New Orleans, the NOPD may take longer to respond during events or parades, but it’s still important to wait so the crash is officially documented.

When officers arrive, explain exactly what happened, but keep it simple. Don’t admit fault, even if you feel rattled or unsure. Just stick to the facts. The officer will conduct an initial evaluation of the crash scene and document their findings in a crash report. This report can serve as a basis for an investigation into your crash. Be sure to obtain a copy of it, or let a lawyer at The Law Offices of John S. Williams get a copy for you.

Seek medical attention.

Even if you feel okay after the crash, get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. If you wait too long to get care, insurance companies may argue your injuries aren’t related to the crash.

Visit the ER, an urgent care clinic, or your primary doctor. Keep records of every visit, test, and treatment. These records will serve as key evidence when it’s time to seek compensation.

Step two: Collect as much evidence as you can

The scene of the crash can give you powerful evidence if you know what to look for. If you’re well enough and it’s safe to do so, start gathering evidence immediately.

Take photos and videos.

Use your phone to capture:

Damage to all vehicles involved
Any injuries you or others suffered
The overall scene (traffic lights, skid marks, street signs)
Your Uber driver’s car (license plate, visible damage)
Road conditions, weather, or anything else that may have played a role

If you were a passenger, snap screenshots of your ride in the Uber app. Include the trip receipt, the driver’s name and photo, and the time and location of your ride.

Get contact information.

Ask for the Uber driver’s:

Full name and phone number
Vehicle make, model, and license plate
Personal insurance information

Also, try to get names and contact info from any witnesses. A short statement from someone who saw the crash can make your case much stronger, especially if the Uber driver tells a different story.

Step three: Report the crash to Uber (carefully)

You can report the crash in the Uber app by tapping “Help,” selecting the ride, and choosing “I was in an Uber accident.” That gets the ball rolling, but be careful what you say.

Once Uber is notified, someone from the company, or one of its insurance partners, may reach out to ask questions. They might seem friendly, but they work for Uber or its insurance provider, not for you.

If they ask for a recorded statement or pressure you to settle quickly, that’s a red flag. Before you give details or sign anything, it’s smart to talk to a New Orleans Uber accident lawyer who knows how to handle rideshare cases in Louisiana.

Can you sue Uber after an accident?

You can sue Uber after a rideshare crash, but it gets tricky. Uber is known for saying they’re “just a technology company” and not a transportation provider. That legal distinction helps them avoid direct responsibility for accidents.

In most situations, Uber drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees. That means if your Uber driver causes a crash, Uber often points the finger at the driver and says, “Not our problem.”

There are situations where Uber could be held accountable. For example:

If they failed to properly vet a driver with a known history of reckless or dangerous behavior.
If the app itself contributed to the crash (for example, a design flaw that distracted the driver).
If they didn’t take action after multiple complaints about the driver’s behavior.

Proving these cases takes serious investigation and legal know-how. That’s where a skilled Uber accident attorney comes in. The Law Offices of John S. Williams can look at the facts and determine if we can build a case against Uber.

What insurance covers an Uber accident in Louisiana?

This is one of the most confusing parts of a rideshare crash. Who pays for what depends on what the Uber driver was doing at the time of the crash.

If the driver had the app off

If your driver wasn’t logged into the Uber app at the time of the crash, then only their personal car insurance applies. Uber provides no coverage in this situation.

If the driver was logged in but hadn’t accepted a ride

In this case, Uber provides limited coverage, including up to:

$50,000 per person for injuries
$100,000 per accident
$25,000 for property damage

However, that coverage is secondary, which means it only kicks in if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t cover the full cost or denies the claim entirely.

If the driver had accepted a ride or was transporting a passenger

This is where Uber’s big insurance policy applies. Once a ride is accepted (or if a passenger is in the car), Uber provides up to:

$1 million in liability coverage
$1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

This coverage can pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, even if another driver caused the crash and didn’t have enough insurance. However, Uber’s insurance provider isn’t going to just hand you the money that easily. If they can get away with lowballing your compensation, they will. That’s why you need an experienced attorney at The Law Offices of John S. Williams on your side fighting for the full amount you deserve.

What if you were in another vehicle hit by an Uber?

Let’s say you were driving your own car and an Uber hit you. The same coverage rules apply, but you’ll need to know whether the Uber driver was logged into the app and whether they had accepted a ride at the time.

If the Uber driver wasn’t on a trip, you may have to fight their personal insurance. If they were on an active ride, Uber’s commercial policy should apply.

This is where things get complicated fast. Insurance companies often point fingers to avoid paying. If multiple people were hurt (which is common in multi-car crashes), the fight over who gets what can get ugly. We can sort it all out for you.

Why are Uber accident cases more complicated?

On the surface, rideshare crashes may seem like any other car accident. But they’re not. Multiple parties often means conflicting policies. Your case might involve:

The Uber driver’s personal insurance
Uber’s commercial insurance
Insurance from other drivers involved
Your own auto or health insurance

Each of these insurance companies has its own lawyers, adjusters, and reasons to avoid paying you fairly. Without legal help, you could get lost in the shuffle or pressured into a settlement that doesn’t come close to covering your losses. Attorney John S. Williams can protect your rights every step of the way, so insurance companies don’t take advantage of your situation.

Will insurance companies shift the blame onto me?

Under Louisiana law, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the crash. But your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

That means if the insurance company can convince a jury (or even just you) that you were even a little to blame, they can reduce what they owe. One tactic they often use is to contact you and ask questions. While these questions might seem harmless, your answers could be taken out of context and misconstrued as admitting fault.

Plus, insurance companies will likely monitor your activity, including what you post on social media. Don’t let them twist your words or downplay your injuries. Let an experienced New Orleans Uber accident lawyer handle the insurance companies for you. Attorney John S. Williams knows how to communicate and negotiate with insurance companies, so your rights are always protected.

Hurt in an Uber accident? Get legal help you can trust

After an Uber crash, you’re likely left with more questions than answers. Who’s responsible? What insurance applies? How are you supposed to recover when you’re drowning in pain, medical bills, and red tape? Our law firm can help. We’ll investigate the crash, determine the driver’s Uber status, and fight to get you compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and the pain you’ve been forced to endure.

We handle every part of the process, including dealing directly with Uber and their insurance companies, so you don’t have to. If they try to delay, deny, or lowball your claim, we’ll push back. If they won’t offer a fair settlement, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court.

Don’t let a powerful corporation dictate your future. Contact us today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. That means there’s no financial risk when you work with us. You get straight answers and experienced legal representation that puts your needs first.