The steps you take after getting hurt in an Uber accident depend on the circumstances. You might be able to pursue compensation from the Uber driver if they are at fault. However, if someone else caused the crash, you would file an injury claim with the negligent motorist’s insurance company.
Understanding your options after an Uber accident is crucial. You must know your rights and who you can hold liable for your injury.
What to Do After an Uber Accident
You should treat an Uber accident like any other motor vehicle collision. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a passenger or driving another car. Prompt action is critical to enable you to build a case against the at-fault driver.
Before anything else, get to a hospital. If you can’t drive, call 911 and request an ambulance. The emergency room physician can examine you and determine the type of treatment you need. You must follow the recommended treatment plan if they suggest additional care, such as physical therapy.
The insurance company will look for evidence to disprove the extent of your injuries to avoid paying a significant settlement. That means they will comb through your medical records. If they notice you didn’t seek treatment immediately after the crash or deviate from the plan your doctor recommended, they will likely use those things as evidence to reduce the value of your claim.
Maintaining adequate records can help. You should hold onto any documentation you receive during your pending case. That might include copies of surgical reports, physician statements, and diagnostic test results. Solid evidence of an injury from a car crash is hard to dispute. Keep copies of any receipts that show your accident-related expenses.
You should hire an experienced attorney, especially if the Uber driver or someone else is responsible for the collision. Pursuing a case alone will be unlikely to lead to the outcome you desire. Negotiating with the insurance company is challenging without an attorney. If you don’t know how much your case is worth, you might accept less money than you deserve.
Read more:
- Tips for Talking to Your Doctor About Your Car Accident Injuries
- What NOT to Say to An Insurance Adjuster
- Tips for Organizing Medical Bills from Your Accident
Is Uber Liable for Accidents?
Uber operates under vicarious liability laws. That means a company is liable for someone’s injury if a negligent employee causes an accident that injures that person.
Based on this law, you might think you can hold Uber accountable for its employee’s actions. However, Uber drivers aren’t employees. They’re independent contractors. That allows the rideshare company to skirt responsibility for its driver’s actions.
Does Uber Cover Accidents?
Uber carries liability insurance with various coverages to pay an injured party’s losses if an Uber driver caused them in these specific situations.
Available or Waiting for a Ride Request
Uber’s insurance company covers car
crashes caused by an Uber driver who has their app turned on and is waiting for someone to request a ride. Third-party liability insurance includes these limits:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
During Trips and en Route to Pick Up Riders
Uber’s liability insurance should apply if an Uber driver causes an accident while transporting passengers or on the way to pick up someone requesting a ride. Third-party liability coverage is available up to $1,000,000 for covered collisions.
The only situation the insurance company won’t cover is if the Uber driver isn’t available to accept rides or has their app turned off. That means they’re using their car for personal use. If they cause a crash, Uber won’t cover another person’s injuries. Seeking compensation from the Uber driver requires filing a claim with the driver’s auto insurance carrier.
In Texas, motorists must have proof of the ability to pay for collisions they cause. Most people show proof by carrying liability insurance. The minimum required coverage limits are:
- $30,000 for injuries per person
- $60,000 for injuries per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per crash
Can You Sue Uber for an Accident?
Yes. However, that doesn’t mean Uber will accept liability. Since Uber drivers technically aren’t employees, the rideshare company can deny responsibility for one of its motorist’s actions.
Large companies like Uber often hire aggressive and skilled defense attorneys to fight for them in court. Pursuing action against them to hold them liable will be a challenge. You should not go up against them without a legal team by your side.
Read more: Suing Uber for An Accident
Injured in an Uber Accident? Contact Gibson Hill Personal Injury Now
You’re not alone in the fight for justice. The rideshare accident attorneys of Gibson Hill Personal Injury are ready to take on Uber’s insurance company and the negligent Uber driver to seek maximum compensation. We understand the struggles commonly experienced after a car wreck and want to help you get your life back on track.
Call Gibson Hill Personal Injury at 713-659-4000 for a free consultation if you got hurt in an Uber accident someone else caused.
