Case Facts
Here’s an account of an accident I was involved in and the Uber car accident settlement negotiation process that followed.
I was a passenger in an Uber car when the driver ran a red light and collided with another car at the intersection of Main Street and Elm Street in San Francisco, California, on July 4, 2019, at approximately 10:30 PM PST. I was in a 2015 Honda Civic Model; the other driver was in a 2018 Toyota Camry. We all sustained injuries at the scene of the accident, and when the police arrived at 10:45 PM, we were all taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
The Uber driver was cited for running a red light. The other driver was not cited.
Injuries
In the accident, I sustained the following injuries in the crash:
- Because of the way the vehicle was T-Boned at the intersection, the door collapsed into my leg, and I ended up with a broken left leg in two places, which required surgery to insert metal plates and screws to repair the bones. I was in a cast for six weeks and had to use crutches for another six weeks.
- I also suffered a concussion in the car accident, which caused me to experience headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating for several weeks after the accident.
- Back pain that has been present ever since the accident. The pain is worse when I stand or walk for long periods of time. I have been seeing a chiropractor for treatment.
- Neck pain that has also been present ever since the accident. The pain is worse when I turn my head or look up. I was diagnosed with a grade 2 whiplash injury after the accident and have been seeing a physical therapist for treatment.
Lost Wages
I am a CPA-certified accountant, working as a full-time employee at an auditing firm. After the accident, I could not work for six weeks due to my injuries, which resulted in lost wages of $10,000.
I was also responsible for paying for my medical bills, totaling $20,000, which I was eventually compensated for.
The total amount that I lost as a result of the car accident was $30,000. This included my medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Uber Car Accident Settlement Negotiations
Before filing a claim with Cubic Insurance, I took the following steps to establish the facts of the accident and ensure that I would be fairly compensated for my damages:
- I searched for a guide on how to go about my car accident claims and found this really helpful guide for Uber car accident settlements by Lawsuit Info Center.
- I gathered all of my medical records, including doctor’s notes, test results, and other documentation related to my injuries.
- I calculated my lost wages and other expenses that were incurred as a result of the accident.
- I took photos of my injuries to document the extent of my damages.
- I obtained witness statements from anyone who saw the accident.
- I filed a police report to document the accident.
- I calculated the estimate of my claim’s worth using a free car accident settlement calculator I found while surfing the internet.
I also considered that California is an at-fault state. This meant the driver who caused the accident would pay for my damages.
I filed a claim with Cubic Corporation on July 30, 2019. The insurance company offered me a settlement of $20,000, but I felt that this offer was unfair. I hired a lawyer to negotiate on my behalf.
My lawyer, James, sent a demand letter to Cubic Corporation on August 15, 2019, demanding a settlement of $60,000. The insurance company responded with an offer of $30,000.
James rejected the offer of $30,000 and reiterated the demand for $60,000. The insurance company responded with an offer of $40,000.
My lawyer sent a response saying that if they did not settle at $50,000, we would file a personal injury lawsuit.
Five days later, the insurance adjuster at Cubic Corporation increased their settlement offer to $50,000. My car accident lawyer accepted the amount on my behalf.
Recovery/ Medical Treatment
I am still recovering from my injuries, but I am making progress. Now, I can walk without crutches though I still have back and neck pain as a result of the car accident. I hope my injuries will not have a long-term impact on my life.
I am still going to physical therapy and chiropractic care, and I expect to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I am confident that the compensation I received will cover those bills.
