When you get into a car with an Uber driver, you are trusting them with your health and safety. If you are in another driver on the road, you have no idea whether the Uber driver in your vicinity is paying attention or is even well-rested.
Uber drivers on the job can cause injuries to both passengers and other drivers on the road in many circumstances. When that is the case, Uber’s insurance company must compensate you for the full extent of your injuries. Call Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys to learn more about your legal rights when you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber driver.
When Does an Uber Passenger Deserve Financial Compensation?
You are legally entitled to financial compensation when you have been injured by someone else’s negligence. There are several possibilities for who may seek financial compensation in an Uber accident case:
- If you have been entered as an Uber passenger, you would file a claim against whichever driver was responsible for the accident. In some cases, both drivers may share some fault for what happened.
- If you were the other driver who was involved in an accident with the Uber driver, you would be able to file a claim against the Uber driver if they were to blame for the crash.
Leading Causes of Uber Accidents
Although companies like Uber and Lyft have introduced efficiencies and made it easier for passengers to get around the Jacksonville, NC, area, they have also led to increased danger for both other drivers and passengers. The entire Uber system adds unacceptable risks that you end up being forced to bear. Meanwhile, both Uber and the Uber driver are making money.
Some common causes of Uber accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Uber drivers often have one or both eyes on the app, either looking for new fares or reviewing directions, when they are behind the wheel.
- Fatigued driving: Uber drivers often transport you as a second job, usually late at night after finishing up a full day at another position.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: Uber drivers may think that they can make more money when they are speeding, either on their way to a new pickup or when there is a passenger in the car.
- Improper maintenance of vehicles: Uber drivers are responsible for maintaining their own vehicles, and they may cut corners to keep their cars on the road.
What to Do After Being Injured in an Uber Accident
There are two primary things to do after you have been involved in an Uber accident.
Seek the medical help that you need so you can begin the process of recovering from your injuries to the fullest extent possible. The sooner you see a doctor, the quicker you may reach the point of maximum medical improvement necessary to file a claim for your Uber accident injuries.
Hire an experienced Uber accident attorney so they can begin the legal process of seeking financial compensation on your behalf. You should never attempt to deal with the legal process on your own because it can cost you money. When you hire an Uber accident lawyer, they will handle all the details of your case, both reducing your stress and providing you with effective legal representation.
How Uber’s Insurance Policy Works
Uber’s insurance provides different levels of coverage depending on the circumstances at the time of the accident. The scenarios include:
- If the driver does not have the app on and they do not have any passengers in the car, their own personal auto insurance coverage applies.
- If the driver has the app on, but they have not yet accepted a ride request, there is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in coverage.
- When the driver has accepted a ride request or they have a passenger in the car, there is Insurance that covers at least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties involved in an accident.
The driver may have additional insurance coverage to protect themselves from personal liability.
Challenges in an Uber Accident Case
There may be at least two insurance companies involved in an Uber accident claim. Each one may point the finger at the other one, expecting them to pay for your injuries. Then, you are up against a large insurance company, which has skilled adjusters doing everything in their own power to save their employer money.
Rideshare accident lawsuits are known for their complexity. You should never try to deal with one of these insurance companies on your own. Always hire an experienced Uber accident attorney to handle your claim so you can be in the strongest possible legal position.
How Our Uber Accident Attorneys Can Help
There’s always a challenge when dealing with any insurance company. You have your work cut out for you in a rideshare accident case. Our injury attorneys can help your claim by doing the following for you:
- Investigating your accident and helping determine who was at fault
- Compiling evidence that would be used to prove liability in your claim
- Working with experts to determine the value of your claim and how much you are seeking in damages
- Preparing the insurance claim and filing it on your behalf
- Negotiating compensation with the insurance company that fairly pays you for your injuries
Your lawyer’s presence gives you an implicit advantage over the insurance company if they do not make you a reasonable settlement offer.
Contact Our Jacksonville, NC Uber Accident Lawyers Today
Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys have the experience that you need that comes from extensive dealings with insurance companies. We know how these businesses work, and we know how to take them on for you.
We offer free consultations, where we will review your case and discuss your potential legal options. To speak with one of our attorneys, you can message us online or call our office today at 910-405-7751. You never pay us anything unless you win your case and nothing before then.
