Have you ever thought about what will happen if you get involved in an accident where you are not at the wheel? A typical example is when you get in an accident with Uber or when your other ride-sharing services get in an accident. What happens, then?
The truth is that Uber accidents are becoming more likely by the day, regardless of how professional their drivers are required to be. This is because this method of transportation has become very popular, and more Uber vehicles are now on the road. Truly, this transportation method might be pretty comfortable and safe for most people, but you also have to be prepared for a worst-case scenario, like an accident.
Of course, the matter is more complex than you would expect, and here’s why. Your legal options in a T-boned crash will differ from when your Uber driver is entirely at fault. You are probably wondering what your options are at this point. In that case, you should read on to discover what happens when you are in an accident with Uber.
Who Pays When You are Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Since you are only a passenger in this scenario, there is hardly any way you can be at fault here. So, something has to be done, and someone has to take responsibility for your medical bills and related damages.
To their credit, Uber has provided seemingly sufficient coverage to help injured passengers in accidents with Uber. In light of this, their drivers must have personal car insurance that covers $50,000 per person for bodily injuries. So, if you get injured in an accident with Uber or Lyft, your injuries can be tended to with this insurance, and you are often not required to pay for this treatment.
What Happens When You are Injured in an Accident with Uber?
Being involved in an accident with Uber can often be a tricky situation to handle. This is particularly true when you get injured and must sort out who pays for the medical bills. Of course, you are entitled to compensation, but only if you do things correctly. According to the Uber platform, here’s what to do in such situations.
Firstly, check for injuries, and take note of every bruise. If you or anyone involved in this accident is severely injured, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately. Secondly, gather potential evidence and make a detailed account of the event. This would help you give an accurate statement to the police or other authorities involved.
Next, you are to report the incident to Uber so they can be fully aware of the situation. They should step in and take care of your medical bills afterward. But if they don’t, you can sue them and get compensation for your troubles. Of course, a car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer should help you here.
Getting Compensated Isn’t Easy
While it may all seem straightforward initially, it is essential to note that it is not. You may even be denied any coverage or compensation in the aftermath of an accident with Uber.
Ideally, you are entitled to receive settlements depending on the severity of your injury or damage, and you can even get up to hundreds of thousands in Uber accident claims. But you can only be liable to get this compensation when you follow the appropriate claim formats. However, you can still encounter some difficulties even after doing everything right. In such cases, you will have to sue the ride-sharing company for damages in the Uber accident.
If you have a good Uber accident lawyer, you have a good shot at getting what’s due to you in compensation. However, the result of the potential lawsuit may hinge on the court’s evaluation of whether the drivers are actual Uber employees. If the court sees the drivers as Uber employees, the ruling will be in your favor. But then, your claims can become a lot more complicated when the drivers are judged to be private contractors.
Uber Drivers are not Uber Employees
Before your lawsuit, it is important to note that most ride-share drivers are private contractors, and Uber is no different. However, unlike company drivers that operate as employees, Uber drivers operate as partners while working as individual contractors. This means that the driver will be held responsible for medical fees in case of an accident with Uber. Luckily, Uber requires them to have personal car insurance that can cover $100,000 for bodily injuries per accident.
Your dealings will be with the Uber driver’s insurance company. You can only involve Uber when the estimated compensation exceeds the $50,000 bodily injury per person limit.
What are Your Options after an Accident with Uber?
If you are involved in an accident and get injured, the first thing to do is get treated in a clinic. Next, you can compile a list of all the medical bills and file for compensation. Then, legally, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. But in the case of an accident with Uber, you are not directly dealing with the other driver. Therefore, you can only file a claim with your driver’s insurance company, regardless of which driver is at fault.
Coleman Law Group Can Help You
Between the difficulties in filing a claim and successfully getting compensation, you can easily get frustrated and even lose more money. Guess what? You do not have to handle this process alone; we are here to help you get your deserved claim.
Of course, accidents with Uber can prove tricky to handle sometimes. But at Coleman Law Group, we have the experience and expertise necessary to get you the right settlement. So you should contact us today to help you get the most out of your damage claim from the accident with Uber.
