What people who have been in accidents with Uber or Lyft need to know
Both Uber and Lyft are huge companies that are worth billions of dollars. Because of this, they make sure that their drivers have $1 million in liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. On the other hand, many regular drivers only have $15,000 in injury liability.
Because of the level of insurance coverage provided by Uber and Lyft, persons injured in an accident who are not at fault may be able to seek more comprehensive compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
As a reason, it is critical to hire the services of a qualified Lyft or Uber accident attorney who can achieve the best possible outcomes.
Quick Info about Uber
If you’re unfamiliar with the Uber platform, here are some facts regarding the popular ridesharing service:
Uber was launched as “Ubercab” in 2009. Today, the company provides services in 80 countries, including hundreds of urban areas.
Uber, unlike taxis, does not use a meter to determine ride rates. Customers are usually given an estimate for each ride before being picked up by an Uber driver.
Uber drivers are independent contractors, which means they can work when and for how long they choose to. Drivers log into the Uber app and accept ride requests from any nearby consumer.
They then use a GPS system embedded into the program to get to each place.
Uber’s mobile app allows drivers to be rated using a five-star system. After each ride, passengers are asked to rate the driver based on their overall happiness with the riding experience.
If an Uber driver has a low average rating, they may be prevented from driving for the firm.
Are Uber drivers insured?
Anyone interested in becoming an Uber driver must first complete a few basic requirements. Potential drivers must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, and pass a typical background check.
Individuals who work for Uber must also drive their own registered vehicles.
Although Uber drivers use their personal vehicles for work, their private insurance coverage will most likely not cover incidents that occur on the job.
Under certain conditions, drivers may be covered by Uber’s liability insurance policy.
If you are an Uber driver, you will be covered for up to $1 million in case of a car accident. However, this insurance only applies if you were transporting or on your way to pick up a passenger when the collision occurred.
If neither of these requirements is met, you may still be qualified for limited liability insurance coverage, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Ridesharing Accidents: Approach with caution.
Since the beginning of Uber in 2009 and Lyft in 2012, the ridesharing sector has developed to become a dominant mode of transportation, with the two companies expected to generate more than $35 billion in net income by 2022.
However, an increase in the number of vehicles on the road has resulted in a spike in traffic accidents and fatalities, according to a study, which found that the industry accounts for around 3% of the annual increase in traffic fatalities.
While booking an Uber/Lyft is handy and often a preferred mode of transportation in some situations, it is still prudent to err on the side of caution in the event of an accident.
Ridesharing accident situations are complicated and frequently broken down into coverage periods and insurance policy limits. The coverage periods are as follows.
The rideshare driver has the app turned off (offline):
When not driving for work, drivers rely on their own personal auto insurance. If the motorist causes an accident while not using the app, their personal auto insurance will cover them.
The app is active or On, and the driver is waiting for a request (Period 1):
When a driver is logged into the network and able to accept rides but has not accepted one, primary motor liability insurance of at least $50,000 for death and bodily damage per person (maximum $100,000 per incident) becomes effective.
$30,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident.
Uber also gives an additional $200,000 in liability insurance during Period 1.
The app is active, and the driver has accepted a request for pickup (Period 2):
When the rideshare accepts a request and is on their way to pick up the customer, the primary automobile liability insurance coverage is increased to at least $500,000 for death, bodily injury, and property damage.
The app is active/On, and the driver has a passenger with them (Period 3):
The driver is insured by commercial insurance. This coverage also covers any wounded third parties, such as other car occupants, pedestrians, or bikers on the road.
The driver’s personal auto insurance is used first, followed by liability coverage to cover the remainder. This is valid for the duration of the ride and reverts to period one upon customer drop-off.
In Periods 2 and 3, Uber offers drivers $1 million in business motor insurance.
$1 million in uninsured and underinsured driver coverage.
While these appear to be considerable amounts of coverage, Uber has a history of denying accountability and attempting to shortchange accident victims. That’s why it’s critical to speak with an Uber accident attorney.
What Happens After an Accident Strikes?
The unpleasant reality is that these types of incidents will only get worse as the ridesharing sector expands, and the consequences can be financially devastating without rideshare insurance in the United States.
A qualified Uber accident attorney will explain how a lack of this coverage might leave you vulnerable, as ordinary auto insurance does not protect you in many circumstances.
You endanger both your safety and your livelihood. Many lawyers will warn you that the costs of an accident can add up.
Gather these informations to assist in evaluating your claim.
Try collecting the following information to evaluate your claim:
- The accident report (assuming you have one.)
- Any notes or information you used to record the accident
- Any photographs taken of the accident?
- Your auto insurance policy.
- Your health or disability insurance coverage
- All correspondence you have received from your insurance provider.
- Medical bills.
- Information from the ridesharing app (time of accident, driver’s name).
What Happens Following an Accident?
Victims of rideshare accidents sometimes do not understand the processes they must follow to recover compensation for their losses.
A ridesharing accident lawyer can understand these steps better because they have experience in this area of law. They understand that rideshare insurance differs from standard auto insurance in many ways.
The biggest mistake a person may make is believing that Uber or Lyft will automatically cover them. The truth is that Uber and Lyft, like many organizations, put their own financial line over the well-being of their customers.
Without the proper knowledge and preparedness, you could be left in a severe situation following an Uber accident.
Working With Insurance After an Uber accident.
If your collision caused car damage but no injuries, you should be able to settle your claim with the insurance company.
If you have Uber driver insurance, the collision coverage deductible is $1,000, regardless of whether the accident was your fault.
When communicating specifics of the collision to the other insurance company’s adjuster, be cautious. Saying the wrong thing may result in a reduction of your coverage.
The best bet is to seek an attorney before communicating with the adjuster. After you give details to all interested parties’ insurance companies, they will negotiate a settlement with each other.
Recovering Damages Following an Uber Accident
In some situations, claiming damages from an Uber accident can be a complex and time-consuming process, particularly if Uber chooses to cause complications. In some circumstances, you may want to contact an Uber accident attorney to boost your bargaining position.
The biggest advantage of hiring an attorney is their experience navigating difficult legal areas.
If your accident caused in serious injuries, you should contact a rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible. Typically, an Uber accident attorney will not charge any upfront fees.
Furthermore, having a trained and experienced rideshare accident lawyer on your side can be the difference in winning your legal battle—so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
You should always ensure that the person you choose has experience dealing with Uber accidents and ridesharing insurance in the United States.
What Happens if you are a Uber Passenger?
When you ride with an Uber driver, the driver is responsible for your safety. If you are harmed, you deserve compensation. In most accidents, as a passenger, you are an innocent victim.
You don’t need much to demonstrate it. According to the average Uber accident lawyer, the most difficult hurdle for passengers is proving the severity of their injuries.
You may need competent legal assistance to determine the full degree of your injuries and seek full compensation.
Car insurance for Uber drivers exists to assist cover passenger injuries. Uber also provides uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the responsible drivers do not have their own insurance.
Nonetheless, we shouldn’t see Uber as an ally. They will do everything it takes to keep the money, including shifting responsibility to another party.
If you have been wrongfully wounded in an Uber accident, your best choice is to hire an attorney. The appropriate attorney can help you get the greatest potential case outcome. Never allow anyone convince you that you don’t deserve decent compensation.
As an Uber passenger who was hurt, you have the right to seek reimbursement for your medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.
What Happens If an Uber Driver Hits a Pedestrian?
One of the major issues with Uber is that it is still a relatively new service, making it difficult to negotiate. In 2013, there was a landmark Uber accident case that created precedent. Syed Muzzafar, an Uber driver in San Francisco, hit and killed a six-year-old girl.
She was crossing the street when the unfortunate incident occurred, and Muzzafar was using his Uber app at the time. However, he was not carrying a passenger.
As a result, Uber maintained that it could not be held accountable for the accident. They resorted to arguing that the drivers were independent contractors rather than employees.
Uber, however, reached an agreement with the girl’s family in response to widespread public outrage.
You shouldn’t rely on Uber to defend you in situations like this because they frequently try to dismiss their legal duties. If you have been hit by an Uber driver, your prospects of receiving compensation are not guaranteed.
You may be facing an ongoing battle, especially if the Uber driver was not carrying a passenger at the time of the accident. In these circumstances, hiring an attorney is vital if you want the case to end well.
Otherwise, your case outcome may be less than desirable. After being involved in an accident with an Uber driver, you must prioritize your safety.
Steps to Take Following an Uber Accident
First, make sure everyone is okay. Your top focus is safety. Never get out of your car in the midst of a busy road; only move if it is safe to do so.
If anyone was wounded, contact the paramedics. Even if your injuries appear minor, do not disregard them because they could be more serious than they appear.
Second, record everything about the accident. The information you collect after the accident may be utilized to support your claim later on. You want your Uber accident lawyer to have as many legal resources as possible.
If the mishap occurred during period two, take a screenshot of the app as proof. It makes it easier for your attorney to advocate for you.
After that, you should follow the same procedures as you would in the event of a regular car collision. Obtain insurance, contact, and license plate information from all affected drivers.
Also, chat with any witnesses and respectfully request their contact information. Typically, you will want to call the police and have them file a report, which your lawyer can then utilize as proof.
Third, if you are hurt, seek medical attention. Whether your injury is mild or severe, you should seek medical attention since it will serve as the foundation for your personal injury claim.
Without medical treatment, your attorney will have a considerably more difficult time showing the entire scope of your injuries.
The more documents you have about your injuries, the better your case will be and the more compensation you could receive.
Finally, contact a ridesharing accident lawyer. If you’ve been in an Uber accident, you should contact an attorney as quickly as possible. A delay may prolong your pain and harm your health. You should also schedule therapy as soon as feasible because delays can compromise or result in lost evidence.
After all, memories tend to fade over time. Finally, if you fail to meet the statute of limitations for your claim, you will lose your right to seek compensation entirely.
Uber accidents might lead to financial consequences.
As an Uber driver, you may face unforeseen expenses. Even if the accident was not your fault, Uber has been known to suspend your access to the app for weeks at a time, but how will you pay your rent during this period? You do not want to lose your job without some form of assurance.
If you were at fault in the collision, never admit it to the other driver because it could be used against you later in court. Instead, let the insurance companies conduct an inquiry to identify who is at responsibility.
However, you should never lie because it can be considered insurance fraud, which carries heavy fines and the possibility of up to five years in jail. The best thing to do is have a lawyer handle any interactions related to the accident.
What Compensation Can I Get for an Uber Accident?
Under California law, accident victims are entitled to compensation for their injuries. In rare cases, they are also entitled to punitive damages if the offender caused willful harm or acted recklessly.
Hiring an experienced Uber accident lawyer might help you maximize your compensation.
In a personal injury case, a victim might be granted two forms of damage compensation:
Economic and Non-economic Damages
Unlike other jurisdictions, California has no cap on the amount of compensation that a victim can get in a personal injury case. A jury will give the victim any sum they believe is justified based on the facts and the victim’s estimated damages.
Please keep in mind that California is a comparative fault state. If a jury concludes that you were partially to blame for your rideshare accident, they will deduct the percentage of blame they believe you bear from the compensation award.
However, sharing responsibility for the accident does not prevent you from pursuing a personal injury claim.
How Long Do I Need to File My Uber Accident Claim?
A statute of limitations is the time limit within which a personal injury claim must be filed. In California, the two-year period begins with the date of your ridesharing accident.
If your Uber accident included a federal, state, or municipal vehicle (whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or driver), you have six months from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim against them. The statute of limitations for accidents involving government vehicles is six months.
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