Uber Accidents: What You Need to Know About Liability, Damages and Uber Accident Lawyers

What are Ridesharing Services? 

Ridesharing services arrange one-time short notice transportation. Rides are arranged and paid for through a mobile app. Prices are predetermined based on the distance, traffic, demand, and type of vehicle. In the United States, Uber and Lyft are the most popular ridesharing services.

Uber Accidents and Other Ridesharing Accidents

The increased popularity and use of ridesharing services is linked to a 2-3% increase in total motor vehicle accidents, according to a study from the University of Chicago and Rice University. Local laws and insurance policies are rapidly evolving to keep up with the nuances of this new and changing industry. Uber accident lawsuits are complex and require experienced Uber accident laywers in this area.  

If you have been injured in a ridesharing accident with Lyft, you can find more information here.

Levels of Insurance Coverage by Uber

1. When the driver isn’t logged into the app, they are not covered under Uber’s policy and the driver’s personal insurance policy will exclusively apply.
2. When the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride, the company’s insurance is liable only to the other party involved in the accident (up to $50,000 per person in the vehicle with a $100,000 limit per accident). Uber’s policy in this stage will only kick in once the driver has submitted a claim to their own personal auto insurance and have been denied.
3. When the driver is on their way to pick up a passenger or when the customer is in the vehicle, the company’s insurance policy is liable up to $1,000,000 for the accident.

If you are an Uber driver or a driver for another ride sharing service, carefully read through your company’s insurance policy to understand all the details of your coverage. 

Pedestrian Injured in an Uber Car Accident 

When a pedestrian is hit and injured by an Uber vehicle, the insurance coverage depends on whether the driver is active on the Uber app when the accident occurred. If the driver was not logged into the app, the driver (and their personal auto insurance) can be held liable. If the driver was logged into the app and waiting for ride requests but had not accepted a ride, they are not covered under Uber for any physical damage or injury, but they are covered for liability. If they are en route to pick up a passenger or the passenger is in the vehicle, the Uber car accident will most likely be covered under Uber’s insurance policy. This type of claim usually requires specialized Uber accident lawyers to prove the driver was negligent and to determine whether it is best to pursue a claim against the driver, rideshare company, or both.

Other Vehicles Involved in Collision with an Uber Vehicle 

A lawsuit involving a car accident with an Uber vehicle requires determining which driver is at fault and whether the driver or the rideshare’s insurance policy is liable. This is established based on which stage the driver was in, as mentioned above, when the accident occurred. With all its complexity, a ridesharing accident requires skilled Uber accident lawyers to determine who to pursue a claim against, and how best to go about it. 

To be connected with leading Uber accident attorneys, call 866-465-1419 or fill out the form below. 

Uber Passenger Injured During Ride

If you are injured in an accident as a passenger of an Uber vehicle, you are covered under their $1 million insurance policy. Even if the other driver involved in the accident is at fault, you still may file a claim against Uber, especially if the other driver is underinsured or lacks any insurance at all.

It’s important to note, just because Uber has $1 million in insurance coverage, this doesn’t mean you will be able to recover that amount, or even close to it, especially if you negotiate your claim yourself. Hiring an experienced Uber accident lawyer to fight on your behalf gives you the best chance at obtaining the highest amount of damages. 

What Damages Can I Recover from an Uber Accident?

Who is Liable if I’m a Passenger in an Uber Car Accident?

If an Uber passenger is involved in an accident, the liability depends on whether the driver is at fault for the accident. As mentioned above, even if the other driver is deemed to be at fault, you may still be able to bring a claim against the rideshare app. The passenger is likely not liable, unless their conduct causes the accident in some way. Because of the complexity of the parties potentially involved in this type of lawsuit, having Uber accident lawyers who understands this type of suit is beneficial to protect the innocent party in an Uber accident.

Ridesharing Service Liability

If one is involved in an Uber car accident and the Uber driver is at fault, Uber is liable for damages to the passenger, pedestrian, or the other party involved in the accident with the Uber vehicle.

Other Vehicle(s) Involved in the Accident 

If another party is at fault for an accident with Uber, they can be held liable for damages to the others involved in the accident. However, as previously mentioned, Uber may still be required to pay out some damages for injuries sustained. Skilled Uber accident lawyers will help you determine who to bring a claim against and how best to navigate your Uber lawsuit.  

Call 866-465-1419 or fill out the form below to connect with a local expert Uber Accident legal team today. 

Why is Hiring Uber Accident Lawyers Important in No-Fault States?

In no fault states, all drivers are required to own personal injury protection (PIP) as part of their insurance policy, which compensate policyholders for damages regardless of which party was at fault.  

In these states, you will most likely be required to exhaust your own personal insurance policy before you are able to bring any claims against the ridesharing company, and you must meet certain criteria to prove that you suffered serious injury in the accident. 

Retaining the help of Uber accident lawyers in no-fault states is integral to demonstrating that one meets the injury severity “threshold” that qualifies them to make a claim and receive damages from the ridesharing company. 

Will I Be Kicked off of Uber if I Make an Uber Accident Injury Claim?

Uber does not penalize passengers for making an accident claim. 

Hiring The Best Uber Accident Lawyers for your Ridesharing Accident

Anyone on the road can be involved in an uber accident, which can be especially difficult to navigate with multiple insurance policies and many parties potentially involved. For Uber accident legal help, our experienced Uber accident lawyers will fight for compensation deserved. Contact us to connect with an attorney who is experienced in this special area.

The Law Center 

If you were injured in an accident with Uber, or any ridesharing service, The Law Center is here to help. We aim to connect injured parties with leading Uber accident lawyers who are uniquely positioned to help the injured and fight on their behalf, seeking justice, and compensation.