The minutes after an Uber accident can feel like a blur. Cars are honking, adrenaline is high, and everyone has a different story. In Los Angeles, that confusion gets worse fast because traffic is tight, crashes stack up at busy spots like Sepulveda and Ventura, and people leave the area before you can even catch your breath.
Here’s the hard truth we’ve seen again and again: evidence at the scene often decides who’s at fault and how much money we can recover. It also matters in rideshare cases because Uber insurance can change based on the driver’s app status (waiting for a request, heading to pick up, or carrying a passenger). And proof that feels “safe” to grab later, like nearby video footage, can disappear within days.
We’re going to keep this simple. Below is a step-by-step plan that works for passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, with safety and medical care first.
Start with safety and get help on the record
Before we start taking photos or swapping information, we protect ourselves. In Los Angeles, a crash scene can turn dangerous in seconds, especially on the 405, the 101, surface streets near Hollywood and Highland, or anywhere people are merging and braking nonstop.
If we can do it safely, we move out of traffic. Turn on hazard lights. If the car can’t move, we stay buckled in until it’s safe to exit. If someone is injured, we call 911 right away. Even “minor” pain can turn into a serious injury later, and a medical response creates a clear time-stamped record.
We also think about getting law enforcement involved. A police report is often the most neutral document we get. It can include the location, involved parties, early statements, and any citations. Insurance companies pay attention to that.
California also has reporting rules that can sneak up on people. If there’s an injury, a death, or property damage over $1,000, a DMV report (often called an SR-1) is typically required, and it’s commonly due within 10 days. Missing that step can create extra headaches later, even when the crash wasn’t our fault.
For a broader “first 24 hours” plan after any crash in LA, we also point clients to What to Do First After a Car Accident in Los Angeles.
When we should call the police (and what to ask for)
A quick checklist helps when our mind is racing:
- Ask for medical help if anyone is hurt, dizzy, or shaken.
- Request police when there’s an injury, hit-and-run, suspected DUI, or a real dispute about fault.
- Get the incident or report number before officers leave (if they can provide it).
- Write down the officer’s name and badge number.
- Ask how to get the report later (online request, mail, or in-person).
We keep our tone calm and we don’t argue fault at the scene. Even if we’re sure what happened, roadside debates don’t help and can backfire.
Report the crash to Uber right away so the trip is documented
Uber reporting matters because it creates a formal record inside the app. We report the crash through the Uber app as soon as it’s safe, then we save proof that we did it.
We also recommend taking screenshots while the trip details are still easy to access:
- Driver name and profile
- Vehicle make and model
- License plate
- Pickup and drop-off locations
- Time of the trip
- Any in-app messages
- Trip status (if shown)
That last point is big. Uber’s insurance coverage can depend on whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, driving to pick someone up, or transporting a passenger. App details help lock down that timeline.
If you want a rideshare-specific action plan, we’ve written one here: How to Preserve Evidence After an Uber Accident in LA.
Take photos and video that clearly show what happened
Think of photos like a frozen replay. When people disagree later, pictures can cut through the noise. We don’t need fancy gear, just a phone and a plan.
We start with wide shots, then move to close-ups. Wide shots show vehicle positions, lanes, and angles. Close-ups show impact points, damage, and details that prove force and direction.
Here’s what we try to capture in Los Angeles Uber accidents:
We photograph vehicle positions before cars are moved (when it’s safe). We include lane markings, medians, curb lines, and turn pockets. We capture traffic lights, stop signs, and any “no turn” signs, because fault often turns on a simple rule someone ignored. We also photograph road conditions, including rain, glare, poor lighting, potholes, or blocked views caused by parked cars or construction cones.
We record skid marks, debris fields, deployed airbags, and damage to every vehicle involved, not just the Uber. If the car has rideshare decals or trade dress, we photograph that too.
Injury photos can help, but we handle them with care. We only take injury photos with consent, and we avoid posting anything online. If clothing or personal items were damaged (glasses, phone, a child seat), we photograph those as well.
Los Angeles has cameras everywhere, but footage doesn’t last forever. We look around for business cameras, parking garage cameras, dashcams, Metro-area cameras, and intersection cameras. The key is speed because recordings can be overwritten or deleted.
If possible, we turn on time-stamped photos and back everything up to cloud storage so it doesn’t vanish if the phone is lost or damaged.
Our quick photo checklist (wide shots, then details)
- Intersection name, cross streets, or freeway exit sign
- Direction of travel for each vehicle
- Wide shots from all four corners of the scene
- Vehicle positions in lanes (before moving, if safe)
- Close-ups of impact points and crushed areas
- License plates of all vehicles
- Street signs and traffic signals
- Skid marks, debris, broken glass, fluid leaks
- Road hazards (potholes, poor lighting, blocked visibility)
- Weather and lighting conditions (rain, fog, glare, darkness)
- Airbags and interior damage
- Rideshare decals, Uber trade dress, and any identifying markings
How we track down video before it disappears
We write down the exact address and note where cameras are mounted (corner pole, storefront awning, parking lot entrance). If we’re able, we politely ask a manager or employee for the best contact info for whoever handles recordings.
We don’t argue or demand footage on the spot. We just gather names, phone numbers, and the camera location, then we request that the footage be preserved. In serious injury cases, our office can send preservation letters quickly and follow up to secure the recording before it’s overwritten.
If you’re wondering why all this matters so much in injury claims, it’s explained in plain language here: Importance of Evidence in Los Angeles Personal Injury Cases.
Collect the right names, statements, and digital proof
After photos, we shift to details that help prove both fault and damages.
For every driver involved, we exchange the basics: full name, phone number, insurance carrier and policy info, driver’s license number, license plate, and the vehicle make and model. If a rideshare driver says “I don’t have insurance info,” we still document who they are and the vehicle details, then we let the claims process sort out coverage.
Witnesses can make or break a case, especially when fault is disputed. We ask for names and contact info. If someone is willing, we record a short statement on our phone. We keep it simple by asking what they saw, not what they think it means. “The light was red when the Uber entered the intersection” is useful. “The Uber driver was reckless” is not.
Digital proof matters in Uber cases. We screenshot our ride history, the trip receipt, the route map, driver profile, and any messages. Those details help confirm the ride phase and timing, which can affect which insurance coverage applies.
We also protect medical proof. We get checked out, even if we feel “mostly fine.” Bruises and soreness can show up over the next couple of days, and that delay is normal. We photograph injuries again later as they develop, and we save all records and bills.
In serious crashes, cars may store electronic crash data (often called an event data recorder). That’s not something we can pull at the scene, but it’s a reason we act quickly. Preserving the vehicle and evidence early can matter when injuries are severe and fault is contested.
What to say (and not say) to drivers, Uber, and insurance adjusters
Insurance conversations can feel friendly, but they’re still business. We stick to facts.
Do:
- Ask if everyone is okay and call for help if needed
- Exchange information and document the scene
- Tell the truth, briefly, without guessing
Don’t:
- Apologize (even to be polite)
- Guess speeds, distances, or reaction times
- Say “I didn’t see you” or “I’m fine”
- Admit fault or argue roadside
We’re careful with recorded statements. Adjusters can use casual comments to reduce payouts. When injuries are involved, we often recommend speaking with a lawyer before giving any recorded interview.
The evidence most people forget (and it can matter a lot)
A few small items often add real weight later:
- Screenshots showing trip status and timestamps
- Notes about time, weather, and road conditions
- A simple pain and symptom journal (sleep, headaches, limits)
- Receipts (tows, rides, parking, medication, medical devices)
- Proof of missed work (pay stubs, employer note, app earnings)
- Names of responding EMTs, urgent care, or the hospital
FAQs about Uber accident evidence, case value, and getting a lawyer
Can we still get paid if we were an Uber passenger?
Yes. Passengers usually have strong claims because they weren’t driving. The key is proving the ride details, injuries, and which insurance applies.
What affects the value of an Uber injury case in Los Angeles?
Medical records, the length of recovery, missed work, and clear fault evidence matter a lot. Video, strong photos, and neutral witnesses can raise a case’s value because they reduce disputes.
What damages can we recover in California?
Often, we pursue medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. In serious cases, future treatment and reduced earning ability may also apply.
Why online settlement calculators aren’t accurate
They can’t measure how strong the evidence is, how serious the injuries are, or how an insurer will argue fault. Two cases with the same diagnosis can settle very differently.
When should we get a lawyer involved?
If there’s an injury, a dispute about fault, a hit-and-run, or pressure to give a recorded statement, it’s time. For local help, see Hire an Uber Accident Attorney in Encino, California.
Conclusion
When we’re hurt in an Uber accident, we don’t need a perfect plan, we need the right priorities. First, we focus on safety and reporting, because police documentation and timely reports can shape the whole claim. Next, we take strong photos and video, starting wide and moving close, because the scene changes fast and cameras don’t keep footage forever. Then we lock down witness contacts and Uber app documentation, because memories fade and insurance disputes grow.
If you were injured in Los Angeles or Encino, we can step in early to preserve evidence, deal with Uber and the insurance companies, and push for full compensation while you focus on healing. We offer a free consultation, we’re available 24/7, and we work on contingency, so we only get paid if we win.