Rideshare Accident Evidence Preservation

Evidence Preservation in Rideshare Accidents

Evidence is the foundation of your claim. Rideshare accidents have unique digital evidence that must be preserved quickly.

Digital Evidence (Act Fast!)

From Your Phone

**Screenshot** your Uber/Lyft ride receipt

**Screenshot** driver information from the app

**Screenshot** route taken

**Screenshot** any in-app messages

Photos and videos from scene

From Rideshare Company

Trip data and GPS records

Driver's app status at time of accident

Driver's work history and ratings

Previous complaints against driver

Vehicle inspection records

**Important:** This data can be deleted. Send a preservation letter to Uber/Lyft immediately.

Other Digital Evidence

Surveillance camera footage (businesses, traffic cams)

Dashcam footage from any vehicle

Social media posts (yours and others')

Cell phone records (especially if driver was texting)

Physical Evidence

At the Scene

Vehicle damage photos

Road conditions

Traffic signs and signals

Skid marks

Weather conditions

Debris location

Personal Items

Damaged clothing

Damaged belongings

Your vehicle (don't repair yet)

Medical Evidence

All medical records

Imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)

Physical therapy notes

Prescription records

Photos of visible injuries (take regularly)

Documentary Evidence

Official Documents

Police report

Ambulance/EMS report

Fire department report

Incident report from Uber/Lyft

Financial Documents

Medical bills

Pay stubs (for lost wages)

Tax returns (for income documentation)

Receipts for expenses

Communication

All emails with Uber/Lyft

Insurance correspondence

Text messages related to accident

Notes from phone calls (date, time, who, what said)

Witness Information

Names and phone numbers

Written or recorded statements

What they observed

Their location when accident occurred

Preservation Letters

An attorney can send preservation letters demanding:

Uber/Lyft retain all trip and driver data

Other parties preserve vehicle data (black box)

Businesses preserve surveillance footage

Cell carriers preserve phone records

What NOT to Do

Don't repair your vehicle before documenting

Don't throw away damaged items

Don't delete any digital records

Don't give away your damaged property

Don't post about accident on social media

Don't give recorded statements without legal advice

Timeline for Evidence

**Immediately (Scene):

Photos/videos

Witness information

Police report

App screenshots

**Within 24-48 Hours:

Full medical evaluation

Written account of events

Contact witnesses

Report to your insurance

**Within 1 Week:

Preservation letters sent

Obtain police report

Gather all documents

Consult attorney

**Ongoing:

Continue documenting injuries

Keep all medical records

Track all expenses

Maintain photo journal of recovery