What to do After an Uber Accident
What Happens If You Are in An Accident With Uber?
Accidents happen all the time, but Uber accidents are confusing due to complicated insurance coverage. If you're a passenger in an Uber vehicle and an accident happens, your driver's personal car insurance most likely won't be enough to cover your injuries. Even if your driver was at-fault for the accident, the insurance company or Uber itself may resist paying the claim.
If you were injured in an Uber accident, seek medical help immediately. Getting medical assistance can do two things for your case:
- Your medical provider will get you the treatment you need so that you can heal quickly.
- You'll have a documented record of your injuries if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
After an Uber accident, we recommend hiring an experienced attorney to help deal with complicated Uber insurance policies. Below are a few different scenarios where the Uber insurance coverage changes:
The Uber Driver Has the App Off:
Uber drivers rely on their own personal car insurance when they aren't using the car for work purposes (the Uber app is switched off). If an Uber driver causes an accident while not having the app running, then their own personal car insurance will cover them.
The Uber Driver Has the App On But Has No One in Their Vehicle:
When the Uber driver is using their car for work, Uber then offers supplemental liability insurance on top of the driver's own personal auto insurance. If the Uber driver is shown as available on the app but isn't taking a passenger at the time of an accident, primary personal car insurance is used first. Uber then offers liability coverage up to $50,000 per injury (maximum: $100,000 coverage / $25,000 property damage). This kind of coverage only kicks in if the driver requests it and their own personal car insurance doesn't cover everything.
The Uber Driver Has the App On and is Carrying a Passenger:
Uber provides coverage for up to $1 million if the accident happens when the driver is at-fault and carrying a passenger. This policy also applies to any injured third parties—like other vehicle occupants, a pedestrian, or a biker on the road. The driver's personal car insurance is used first—and then, the liability coverage will start covering the rest.
Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage with Uber:
Accidents can also be caused by drivers who don't have car insurance or don't have enough. If you're in an accident in an Uber and it's caused by another driver without insurance, uninsured/underinsured coverage can help protect you and the Uber driver. Uber carries $1 million in uninsured/underinsured coverage for situations like these.
Remember: Uber driver insurance can change quickly with the tap of an app. If the Uber app is off while someone is driving, then a passenger or third party is only protected by that driver's personal car insurance. Once the Uber app is turned on, the supplemental liability coverage kicks in up to $1 million. Unsure what to do after your Uber accident? Get in touch with our experienced Uber attorneys today at Edgar Snyder & Associates by calling 412-668-5480.
Can You Sue Uber For an Accident?
If you've been in an Uber accident, you can't sue the ride-sharing company itself but you may be able to take legal action. In the eyes of the company, each Uber driver is considered to be an independent contractor. Uber can deny liability for any crash that involves their drivers. Your best move is to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney first, someone with experience handling Uber accident lawsuits.
What if another driver is at-fault (not your Uber driver) while you're riding as an Uber passenger? The other driver's personal car insurance policy will then come into play. Most likely, the other driver may not have enough coverage to handle your medical bills and lost wages. In that case, remember that Uber has an uninsured/underinsured motorist policy of $1 million that could apply to help protect you as a passenger.
Uber accident settlement amounts can vary, but your first step should be to contact an experienced Uber accident attorney to talk through your Uber accident report. Give Edgar Snyder & Associates a call at 412-668-5480 to see if you have a case.
Does Uber Pay for Your Car Accident?
It's possible to hold Uber financially responsible if you've been injured in a car accident. If you've been injured in an Uber accident, your driver's personal injury coverage most likely won't be enough. When all of that money has been exhausted, the supplemental liability coverage from Uber can then begin to cover your injuries or other damages.
We always recommend contacting an experienced car accident. If you have questions about your Uber accident, call 412-668-5480 to speak to Edgar Snyder & Associates.
Are Uber Drivers Liable?
Because Uber considers their drivers to be independent contractors, and not employees, that makes the Uber drivers liable for accidents. As such, Uber drivers are required to have their own personal car insurance. Uber's liability coverage only goes into effect once the Uber app is on and the driver is using the car for work purposes.
Filing an Uber class action lawsuit is an uphill battle. Going after Uber, the company, won't get you very far if you've been the victim of an accident. If anyone is to be found at-fault for an Uber accident, it would have to be the driver of the vehicle themselves.
Do You Need Special Insurance for Uber?
There aren't any special Uber driver insurance requirements that fall to the driver's responsibility beyond having their own personal car insurance policies. Beyond that, Uber carries supplemental liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured coverage that applies in case of an accident. If you've been injured in an Uber accident, you are protected by these supplemental coverages.
It's possible for you to pursue a lawsuit for Uber-related damages. Hiring an experienced attorney is key. Have questions about your potential case? Call Edgar Snyder & Associates today at 412-668-5480.
If You Were Injured in an Uber Accident, Contact Edgar Snyder & Associates Today
With the popularity of ride-sharing, Uber accident rates are likely to rise. If you have been injured in an accident while riding in an Uber, or if you were otherwise hurt by an Uber vehicle—we want to hear from you.
Call Edgar Snyder & Associates today for a free case review of your Uber accident. Get a free consultation from our experienced car accident attorneys today by calling 412-668-5480.
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