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Should I Hire An Uber Accident Lawyer If I Was Injured as a Passenger?

When You Need An Uber Accident Lawyer

Ride-sharing services like Uber have completely changed the way we get from one place to another. No longer at the mercy of cab drivers, people across the country have taken to ordering Ubers any time they’re in need of a lift. Affordable, reliable and easy to use, the service is indeed a game changer for the transportation industry.

Unfortunately, though, Uber and other ride-sharing services can be more trouble than they’re worth, especially when their drivers are involved in an accident. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving an Uber driver, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against Uber.

An Uber accident settlement isn’t guaranteed for every person involved in a such a wreck. Generally speaking, plaintiffs need to show that their health and safety were put in jeopardy when their Uber driver made a negligent or reckless decision that led to a crash. An attorney can help you determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.

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What Happens If Uber Gets In An Accident? 

In many cases, Uber drivers are not necessarily professional motorists. Unlike big rig truck operators or cabbies, most Uber drivers have no more driving experience than anyone else on the road. They’re not required to take any special training courses or undergo extra certification. In most cases, Uber drivers are simply looking for a quick, easy way to earn a few extra bucks a month.

Exposed to the same driving hazards that any other motorist faces, Uber drivers must contend with bad weather, traffic, debris in the road, reckless motorists and other common challenges. On top of that, Uber drivers also face the time constraints of the gig: fail to get passengers to a destination in a timely manner, and negative consequences await. Of course, the additional layer of stress in needing to maintain a conversation or entertain passengers can also distract the driver. It’s no wonder that Uber drivers are so frequently involved in wrecks.

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When the Other Driver is At Fault

Should you find yourself involved in an accident where your Uber driver is not to blame, you’ll want to seek damages from the at-fault motorist. For example, if you’re riding in the backseat of an Uber and suffer injuries after another car rear-ends you at a stop light, you’ll want to pursue legal action against the person driving the car behind you. You could file a third-party claim with their insurance company or opt to file a personal injury lawsuit.

When the Uber Driver is At Fault

Things become a little more complicated when your Uber driver causes an accident. In many cases, their car insurance may apply to you if they have commercial vehicle accident insurance or a personal car insurance policy that allows for ridesharing. Unfortunately, though, this kind of coverage isn’t required of Uber drivers, so many opt not to buy the more expensive, more comprehensive coverage.

You may be able to seek damages through your own Personal Injury Protection, or PIP insurance coverage. If you don’t have such a policy, though, you may have to escalate the issue with corporate. Uber offers up to $1 million in coverage in the case of an accident, but special qualifications must be met. The coverage only applies when a driver has a passenger in their car and is en route to their destination.

What to Do When Injured in an Uber Accident

Unfortunately, Uber is not eager to pay out on their promise of coverage up to $1 million. Instead of viewing their drivers as employees, Uber categorizes each one as an independent contractor. That means that the actions of their drivers do not necessarily tie back to the company itself. Suing an uber driver for an accident is indeed an uphill battle.

That’s not to say your options are non-existent. If you’ve been involved in an accident involving an Uber driver, you should talk to an attorney as soon as possible. Laws involving ride-sharing are ever-evolving, and a lawyer will have a good idea of how you should proceed next. Every state has slight variations on the laws surrounding ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, so it pays to do your research.

In any car accident settlement claim, the statute of limitations clock begins ticking down from the second you’re involved in the wreck. If you wait around to consult with a lawyer, you could miss your window of opportunity to take action against a negligent driver. After consulting with an EMT or doctor about your injuries, your next call should be with a lawyer in your area.

Connecting with the Right Uber Accident Attorney

Not every lawyer will have experience tackling ride-sharing accident law, so it’s important to find the right professional for your case. Lawsuit Info Center can help. An Uber accident lawyer could help you get the compensation you deserve. To get started, simply call 877-810-4067 today.

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Uber Accident Lawsuit FAQs

Uber Accident Settlements

As with any car accident, your settlement amount depends on the circumstances of the accident and your injuries. There are reported settlements with Uber for serious accidents of $1 million, $955,000, $896,000, $500,000 and $610,000. Whether your case could be worth that much or much less depends case specifics. A personal injury attorney can review your case at no charge and determine a ballpark figure for your settlement based on past settlements in accidents similar to yours. 

As with any car accident, your settlement amount depends on the circumstances of the accident and your injuries. There are reported settlements with Uber for serious accidents of $1 million, $955,000, $896,000, $500,000 and $610,000. Whether your case could be worth that much or much less depends case specifics. A personal injury attorney can review your case at no charge and determine a ballpark figure for your settlement based on past settlements in accidents similar to yours. 

If you are hurt as a passenger or pedestrian by an Uber driver, you could be covered by the company’s $1 million liability policy, depending on whether you were a passenger at the time of the crash, and whether the driver was working on the clock at the time. 

Uber typically pays settlements between $10,000 and $1 million. But you can only sue Uber itself in certain situations, such as when the driver caused the accident and he was on the clock, or on the clock and with a passenger. If he was not with a passenger at the time, the driver’s personal auto insurance usually is the only option for compensation. 

Uber drivers are independent contractors, so it is challenging to sue Uber directly if one of their drivers caused your injuries. In these cases, you need to file a suit against the driver to recover compensation for your injuries. But Uber drivers also are covered by Uber’s $1 million liability policy for accidents.

Sometimes Uber drivers get in crashes where the driver is at fault. But the other driver may lack enough coverage to cover your serious injuries. Uber has $1 million of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for these accidents. But you should obtain legal counsel to file the proper paperwork with the insurance company when attempting to collect damages for your injuries.

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