What to Do Immediately After a Rideshare Accident in New Jersey
Posted November 12th, 2025 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Attorney Anthony Carbone, Auto Accidents, Lyft Accident, Personal Injury.
Rideshare accidents can be confusing and overwhelming. Whether you’re a passenger, driver, or someone hit by an Uber or Lyft, knowing what to do right after the crash can protect your rights and strengthen your insurance claim. At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C., we help clients navigate the aftermath of rideshare accidents and get the compensation they deserve.
Step 1: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Your safety comes first. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic. Check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt.
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries like whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Getting medical attention quickly creates important records that link your injuries to the accident.
Step 2: Call the Police
Always call the police to report the accident, even if it seems minor. A police report creates an official record of what happened, including details about the vehicles, drivers, and circumstances of the crash.
In New Jersey, insurance companies often require a police report before they’ll process your claim. Get the report number and the officer’s name and contact information before leaving the scene.
Step 3: Save Your Rideshare App Information
For Uber and Lyft accidents, the app data is crucial for determining who is responsible and which insurance policy applies. Save this information immediately:
- Trip details including pickup and drop-off locations
- Timestamps showing when the ride was requested and when the accident happened
- Driver information including name, photo, and vehicle details
- Any receipts or emails from the ride
Take screenshots of everything in your app right away. This information can disappear or become harder to access later.
Step 4: Document the Accident Scene
Use your phone to take photos and videos of:
- Damage to all vehicles involved
- The position of the vehicles on the road
- Traffic signs, signals, and road markings
- Road conditions like ice, water, potholes, or debris
- Any visible injuries
These photos serve as important evidence and can help prove what happened if insurance companies dispute your claim.
Step 5: Get Witness Information
If anyone saw the accident happen, get their names and phone numbers. Witnesses can provide valuable statements that support your claim about how the accident occurred.
Witness testimony can be especially important in rideshare accidents where there might be questions about the driver’s app status or who was at fault.
Step 6: Report the Accident to the Rideshare Company
Contact Uber or Lyft through their app or customer service to report the accident. Provide basic information about what happened, but don’t give a detailed recorded statement until you’ve talked to an attorney.
Reporting the accident promptly ensures the rideshare company’s insurance is notified and can begin processing potential claims.
Step 7: Notify Your Own Insurance Company
Even if you were just a passenger, report the accident to your personal auto insurance company. Your insurance may provide coverage for your injuries through Personal Injury Protection.
Early notification helps prevent coverage disputes and ensures your claim gets processed quickly.
Step 8: Keep Detailed Records
From the moment the accident happens, keep track of everything:
- All medical records and bills
- Documentation of lost wages from your employer
- Other expenses like transportation to medical appointments
Good record keeping ensures you don’t miss any expenses when making your claim and helps prove the full extent of your damages.
Step 9: Contact an Experienced Attorney Quickly
Rideshare accidents involve complex insurance issues that most people can’t handle alone. Multiple insurance companies may be involved, including the rideshare driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company’s commercial insurance, and your own insurance.
An experienced attorney can help you by figuring out which insurance policies apply, dealing with insurance companies, collecting and preserving evidence before it disappears, protecting you from saying something that could hurt your claim, and fighting for full compensation.
At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we have over 35 years of experience handling rideshare accident cases in New Jersey. We know how Uber and Lyft insurance works, and we know how to hold these companies accountable.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
The steps you take immediately after a rideshare accident can make or break your case. Evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses forget details. Insurance companies start building their defenses right away.
Don’t try to handle a rideshare accident claim on your own. These cases are too complicated, and insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to pay you as little as possible.
Contact The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll review what happened, explain your rights, and start working immediately to build the strongest possible case. Call us now to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
