When it comes to transportation options, Uber is by far the most used app worldwide. Launched in 2009, the company provides a means of sharing rides.
Uber has revolutionized the transportation business. But it has also been the target of criticism after several events involving its drivers and riders. Like every other motorist, Uber drivers sometimes make errors. It’s possible that your Uber driver is an uninsured independent contractor rather than an employee of Uber.
Many Uber customers were critically hurt or killed in incidents throughout 2016. Due to the high accident rate, some want the government to regulate the company for driver and consumer safety. Wherever it has gone, Uber has stirred up controversy.
In the event of an Uber accident case, being checked out by a doctor should be your priority. The next step is to talk to knowledgeable Uber accident lawyers so you can understand your legal options.
Why Should You Consult an Attorney Following an Uber Accident?
When an Uber driver causes damage to your vehicle or when you are hurt while travelling in an Uber, you must submit an accident claim. The Uber driver’s insurance will be the target of your Uber accident lawsuit.
Your only option may be to submit a claim against the company’s insurance if its coverage does not fully compensate you for your losses.
A cheque will be sent to you within a week or two if your claim is validated. If your claim is turned down, however, your attorney will need to submit an appeal on your behalf.
A lawsuit may be necessary if the Uber driver’s insurance company refuses to pay your claim. You may leave all of that up to your Uber accident lawyer. You must show that the Uber driver was careless to hold them accountable.
Get in touch with a lawyer specializing in Uber accidents if you were hurt while taking an Uber. An Uber accident lawyer will evaluate your situation and estimate its value. Your queries, if any, will also be answered by them.
One of the benefits of hiring a seasoned lawyer is that you won’t have to face the legal process on your own. Uber’s ride-sharing service will employ attorneys to handle legal matters. You should not confront them alone. You need a legal expert while negotiating with the driver’s insurance provider or Uber’s policy.
Rideshare Companies vs Ground Transportation
Despite similarities, Uber and Lyft drivers are treated differently by the law and insurance companies.
The vast majority of taxi drivers work for a corporation. Insurance companies compensate victims of business accidents. Local and state governments regulate even self-employed drivers.
Additional licenses, insurance, and restrictions protect taxi-phobic customers and onlookers. However, rideshare drivers now face few rules. They are ordinary people offering rides via apps like Uber and Lyft in their cars.
Despite California and US laws, Uber drivers lack liability insurance and permits.
What Should You Do if You Have an Accident With an Uber Driver?
They will likely blame you for the collision if you are involved in a car accident with an Uber driver. However, it will not prevent you from receiving compensation for the Uber accident case.
If you want to collect the compensation you deserve, you need to start acting quickly away after the accident. What to do following an automobile accident involving a ride-sharing service like Uber is outlined below.
1. Immediately See a Doctor
If you have been in an Uber accident, you need to be checked out by a doctor right away. You should go to the hospital even if you don’t think you’re hurting and feeling good. Don’t ever think your wounds aren’t severe enough to need medical attention.
In addition, if you file a claim, you will need a formal medical record that specifies the extent of your injuries. If your symptoms persist, you should see a doctor as well.
2. Refuse Any Quick Offers of Settlement
After an accident, insurance firms typically offer settlements to cut their losses. Even before they assess the extent of your injuries, they want to provide you with a check.
If you accept the payment, you will never be able to pursue further compensation from the responsible parties. Getting a low settlement offer may prevent you from bringing a personal injury case.
3. Do Not Participate in Online Social Media
Don’t share details of the mishap on social media. Please refrain from making any posts, including those that have nothing to do with the incident. Insurance firms will use your online posts to negotiate Uber accident compensation.
Even if you just publish something harmless online, the insurance company might use it against you in a personal injury claim. Social networking rarely helps your cause and almost always hurts it.
4. Please Contact a Lawyer Immediately
Expert Uber accident lawyers could help you be compensated fairly if you were hurt in an accident with an Uber driver. Your injury lawyer will work to get you a reasonable payout, which may be challenging to do when a ride-share driver is at fault.
Uber Settlements Provide Financial Compensation
If you were injured in an Uber accident, a lawyer might help you file a claim for damages.
The types of compensation in an Uber accident claim include the following:
1. Damage to the Body
Traumatic brain, spinal cord, soft tissue, and broken bone injuries may influence the quality of life for years. With an attorney’s help, you may get financial compensation for your injuries and medical bills.
2. Damaging Effects on the Economy
Accidents result in lost work days, lower productivity, and inability to return to work. Uber accident compensation should cover these losses and emergency medical expenses.
3. Stress and Anxiety
Anxiety, PTSD, and other mental illnesses may ruin a person’s life. Your lawyer will investigate and consult specialists to determine the worth of your mental discomfort.
4. Sacrifice of Happiness
Trauma may damage relationships, prevent intimate moments, and reduce life enjoyment. A Uber accident lawyer can assist you with insidious losses like these. To accomplish so, they will conduct targeted interviews and employ expert reports.
Important Facts to Know
1. Insurance and Uber Drives
Your Uber driver’s insurance may cover your injuries if you are in an accident. However, Uber drivers do not require sole proprietor coverage.
That is subject to the regulations of the state where you reside. Most states require Uber drivers to have private auto insurance that extends to the business use of their vehicles. There are, nevertheless, several notable deviations.
Remember that the driver’s insurance company may deny your claim if they were working. Whether workers, independent contractors, or passengers, Uber drivers may be accountable for accidents.
2. Program for Insuring Riders of Ride-Sharing Vehicles
One of the most significant ways to avoid financial ruin in the event of an Uber accident is to enroll in a ridesharing insurance policy. Uber does not cover property damage, injuries, or uninsured motorists.
3. Coverage by an Independent Insurance Agency
Uber’s $1 million in third-party liability insurance covers accident-related property damage and injuries. Uber must have $1 million in insurance to compensate passengers injured in accidents caused by other drivers.
You are still entitled to reimbursement from Uber in the amount of your fare if you were involved in an accident but suffered no physical harm.
4. Claiming Damages From an Uber Accident
Get immediate medical assistance if you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident. Second, you should talk to a seasoned Uber accident attorney. Uber’s insurance may cover lost income, property damage, medical costs, pain and suffering, and other losses.
The convoluted legal process of suing Uber for an accident or personal harm might be daunting.
If you have been harmed in an Uber accident, at least get a free consultation with an attorney who handles Uber’s insurance coverage.
Does Uber Want the Settlement to Be Private?
Assuming a settlement is reached, Uber will likely request that its terms remain private. The company Uber has a reputation for doing this.
They may cancel the deal if you refuse to sign a settlement release with confidentiality wording. If you signed that and then spoke about your settlement or wrote about it online, Uber would sue you to get your money back.
How Long Before My Dispute With Uber Is Resolved?
That depends on the extent of your Uber accident and injuries. Some cases may be resolved in as little as a year, while others might go on for many years. In general, Uber settles claims more quickly than other defendants.
As we have discovered, it may be because the business hides the number of accidents caused by its drivers to maintain its public image.
How Much, on Average, Do Uber Settlements Cost?
Typically, victims might expect to get anything from $15,000 to $50,000 in such situations. Uber’s insurance’s $1 million payment maximum is unlikely without severe injuries like brain damage.
Conclusion
Many Uber riders have been seriously injured or died in these last few years. In light of the high accident rate, some advocate for government control of the industry to guarantee driver and client safety. Uber has created debate everywhere it goes.
The most important thing to do if you have been hurt in an Uber crash is to see a doctor. The next step is to consult with an experienced personal injury or Uber accident lawyer to learn about your rights and choices.
