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San Francisco is the fourth-most populous city in the U.S. state of California. It is famous for its landmarks, neighborhoods, rich history, and diverse culture. The streets of San Francisco are packed with cars, buses, bikes, and people walking everywhere. You have hills so steep that brakes get tested every day, and you have intersections that feel like five roads are all trying to cross each other at once.
There are also tons of rideshare cars because so many people rely on Uber and Lyft to get around instead of driving themselves. That’s why accidents here can get messy fast, and why it’s even more important to handle them the right way. One of the smartest things you can do is get in touch with a rideshare accident attorney in San Francisco to help you deal with the hurdles you are about to face.
If you’re wondering what mistakes people make after a rideshare crash, the biggest one is not knowing what to do right away. Accidents can mess up everything fast, and if you miss certain steps, it can hurt your health, your money, and even your chances of proving what happened.
And because the city is so expensive and the rules can get confusing with rideshares, people often get overwhelmed. These are some of the common mistakes you should avoid after a rideshare accident:
In San Francisco, both Uber and Lyft require you to report accidents through their apps. Some people don’t do it because they’re embarrassed or they think it’s not necessary. That’s a mistake. If you don’t report it, the company can say they never knew, which makes your claim way harder.
Open the app, go to the help section, and report the crash. It might feel weird, but it creates a record that the company must respond to. Without that step, you’re basically missing a big piece of proof.
Not Calling the Police Right Away
A lot of people don’t call the police because they think it’s just a small crash. Don’t opt to handle it privately or just exchange numbers with the other person and walk away. That’s a huge mistake. Without a police report, it’s just your word against the other driver’s word later.
The police report is what makes it official. It shows the date, the time, and the location, and it records everyone’s story. If you don’t have that, the insurance company might say the accident wasn’t even that bad or that it never happened at all.
In San Francisco, with so many rideshare vehicles driving around, a police report is even more important because rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft will want proof. Always, always call the police.
Not Getting Medical Help Right Away
People skip going to the doctor because they feel fine. But that’s not how injuries always work. When you get in a crash, your body is full of adrenaline, and adrenaline can trick you. You might have whiplash, a concussion, or even internal injuries that don’t show up right away.
Doctors say you should get checked within 72 hours. If you wait longer, two bad things can happen. First, your injuries could get worse, and you won’t have the right treatment.
Second, the insurance company might say your injuries didn’t come from the crash. They’ll argue that if you were really hurt, you would’ve gone to the doctor right away. That’s why you can’t delay medical care.
Not Gathering Evidence at the Scene
This one happens a lot because people are shaken up after a crash. They’re scared, confused, or just in shock. But not taking pictures or videos is a huge mistake.
You need photos of the cars, the damage, the street, the traffic lights, the weather, and your injuries. You also need to get the driver’s license, insurance card, license plate, and rideshare app details.
In San Francisco, with so many cars packed close together, it’s easy for the crash scene to get cleaned up fast. If you don’t grab evidence right then, it’s gone forever.
Ignoring Witnesses
Sometimes there are people who saw the crash, who would be other drivers, bikers, or pedestrians. Ignoring them is a mistake. Witnesses are powerful in a case because they don’t have anything to lose. They’re just saying what they saw. If you don’t ask for their contact info, you lose that chance forever.
Key Takeaways
- Always call the police and get a report.
- See a doctor within 72 hours, even if you feel fine.
- Report the crash to the rideshare company and your own insurance.
- Gather evidence at the scene and talk to witnesses.