1. Handle safety first
Move out of traffic if the car is drivable, turn on hazards, and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked. Do not decline medical attention at the scene just because you feel able to walk around — soft-tissue injuries, concussions and internal injuries frequently show up hours later.
2. Call the police and get a report
In a car-sharing crash a police report does double duty: it establishes what happened for the liability claim, and it gives the rental platform and the insurers an independent record. Ask the officer for the report number before you leave the scene.
3. Collect evidence while it exists
- Photos of every vehicle, all four sides, plus the wider scene and skid marks
- Photos of the license plates, road signs, signals and lane markings
- The other driver’s name, phone, insurer and policy number
- Names and phone numbers of passengers and independent witnesses
- Screenshots of the trip in the app: dates, times, vehicle, and the protection plan you selected
- Dashcam footage, and nearby business or doorbell camera locations you can request footage from
4. Report the accident in the app
Car-sharing platforms require prompt reporting of any incident during a trip, and the host will report the vehicle damage regardless. Report the facts — date, time, location, vehicles involved, police report number — and avoid speculating about fault or minimizing your injuries. “I’m fine” typed into a chat window has a way of resurfacing months later.
5. See a doctor within 24–72 hours
Gaps in treatment are the single most common reason injury claims get devalued. Go to an urgent care, emergency department, or your primary doctor, describe every symptom, and follow the treatment plan. Keep every bill, discharge sheet and referral.
6. Be careful with the first insurance call
Multiple adjusters may call quickly: the other driver’s liability carrier, the platform’s third-party administrator, the host’s personal insurer, and your own. You are not required to give a recorded statement to another party’s insurer, and you should not accept a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
7. Keep a simple written record
- Missed work days and lost income
- Out-of-pocket costs: prescriptions, ride shares, crutches, parking at appointments
- Daily pain levels, sleep problems, and activities you can no longer do
- Every call from an insurer: date, name, and what was said
8. Find out what coverage actually applies
This is where car-sharing claims get complicated, and where people leave money on the table. Read our insurance and coverage guide, or send us the details and a representative will walk you through it within the day.
Do not wait too long
Every state sets a deadline to bring an injury claim, and some are as short as one year. Evidence disappears faster than that — camera footage is often overwritten within days. If you are unsure whether you have a claim, ask early rather than late.