You may be home now, but the Uber accident is far from over. The initial shock has faded, replaced by pressing questions about your recovery, finances, and future. An Uber accident lawyer helps you make sense of the confusing insurance rules and holds the liable parties accountable for your injuries.
Law Bear offers a free case evaluation to help you understand your options. Let us connect you with a qualified local attorney to build your claim. Call us 24/7 at (309) 365-6510 to get started.
How an Uber Accident Lawyer Helps Your Case
The moments after a rideshare crash are just the beginning. The process involves different corporate insurance policies and complicated questions of liability that set these cases apart from typical car wrecks. After a collision, you need more than just a lawyer; you need an architect for your case.
An Uber accident lawyer designs the blueprint for your rideshare claim. They establish the legal framework, gather the essential materials, and construct your case from the ground up. A methodical approach accounts for every detail, building your claim on a solid foundation.
At Law Bear, we evaluate your case for free and can connect you with an independent, local attorney in your area. Our referral service comes at no cost to you. The Bear's Got Your Back.
Unpacking Uber's Complex Insurance Coverage
Uber and other rideshare companies use a multi-layered insurance system that changes based on the driver's activity at the time of the crash. The available coverage depends entirely on the driver's status within the Uber app, creating distinct periods of liability.
An Uber accident lawyer can analyze the facts to pinpoint the applicable policy.
The Uber App Is Off
When an Uber driver isn't logged into the app, they're just an ordinary motorist. If they cause an accident during this period, their own personal car insurance policy is the primary source of coverage.
Uber's corporate insurance doesn't apply in this situation, and your claim proceeds like any other car accident case against the at-fault driver's insurer.
The Driver Is Available but Awaiting a Ride Request
The situation becomes more complex once a driver logs into the app and is available to accept a ride. The driver is now officially on the clock, but they're not yet en route to a passenger or actively transporting someone. Uber provides a limited layer of liability coverage during this period.
Coverage during this phase typically includes:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person
- Total Bodily Injury Liability: $100,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
This coverage only applies if the driver's personal auto insurance denies the claim or if their policy limits are lower than these amounts.
The Driver Is on the Way/Transporting a Passenger
From the moment a driver accepts a ride request until the passenger is dropped off, Uber's full commercial insurance policy is in effect. This provides a much higher level of protection for injured victims, whether you were the Uber passenger, an occupant of another vehicle, a bicyclist, or a pedestrian.
During an active period, Uber's policy generally provides at least $1,000,000 in combined liability coverage for injuries and property damage, and at least $1,000,000 for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
Identifying All Liable Parties in Your Crash
Successfully resolving your claim requires identifying every party whose negligence contributed to the accident. In some cases, responsibility is clear. In many others, multiple parties may share fault.
A thorough investigation completes the picture of liability and opens all possible avenues for your financial recovery.
The Uber Driver
If the Uber driver caused the accident through actions like speeding, distracted driving, or violating traffic laws, they may be held liable. Their status on the app at the time of the crash determines which insurance policy becomes the primary source of compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Another Motorist
In many collisions involving an Uber, the driver of another vehicle is partially or entirely at fault. If you were an Uber passenger and another driver ran a red light, for instance, that driver and their insurance company would be the primary target for your claim.
Uber's UM/UIM coverage provides compensation if the at-fault driver was uninsured or didn't have enough insurance to cover all of your damages.
Uber
Holding Uber directly liable may be difficult, as the company classifies its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. This classification is a legal shield designed to protect Uber from direct responsibility for its drivers' actions.
However, there are instances where Uber itself could be considered negligent. Examples of Uber's negligence include failing to conduct a proper background check on a driver or knowingly allowing a dangerous driver to use the platform.
Building the Foundation of Your Injury Claim
A successful personal injury claim is like a well-designed building; it must be constructed upon a solid foundation of evidence. Your attorney acts as the project manager, gathering and organizing all the necessary materials to build your case.
Each piece of evidence helps prove liability and documents the full extent of your damages. A skilled Uber crash lawyer knows how to assemble these elements into a compelling claim.
Common examples include:
- Accident Reports: The official police report provides an initial account of the crash, often noting traffic citations and witness information.
- Digital Evidence: Screenshots of your Uber trip details, GPS data, and driver information from the app establish key facts.
- Medical Records: A complete file of your medical treatments, diagnoses, and billing statements documents your physical injuries and financial costs.
- Visual Documentation: Photographs and videos from the accident scene, your vehicle damage, and the progression of your injuries are powerful tools.
- Witness Statements: Testimony from other passengers, pedestrians, or motorists may help confirm how the accident occurred.
- Income Verification: Pay stubs, tax returns, and letters from your employer prove the income you have lost due to your injuries.
What Types of Compensation Can I Pursue After an Uber Wreck?
You may seek compensation after an Uber accident to recover what you lost and account for how the injuries have affected your life. An Uber accident lawyer will help you calculate the full value of your claim.
Typical compensation includes:
- Current Medical Bills: This payment covers the costs of your immediate medical care, including ambulance rides, emergency room visits, and initial doctor appointments.
- Future Medical Expenses: Your claim may include the projected costs for ongoing treatment, therapy, surgeries, and long-term care related to the accident.
- Lost Wages: This compensation covers the income you have lost due to taking time off work as a direct result of the injuries you sustained.
- Reduced Earning Capacity: This compensation is for a diminished ability to earn income in the future if your injuries are permanent.
- Physical Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the actual physical discomfort, aches, and chronic pain you have experienced due to the accident.
- Emotional Distress: Your claim may address the psychological impact of the accident, which may include anxiety, depression, or fear.
5 Critical Steps To Take After an Uber Collision
While you're recovering, there are several actions you need to take to protect your rights and strengthen the foundation of a potential legal claim. What you do in the days and weeks following the accident has a significant impact on your ability to secure fair compensation.
These steps help preserve crucial evidence and put you in a better position to pursue your claim:
- Document Everything: Keep a detailed journal of your pain levels, medical appointments, and how your injuries affect your daily activities.
- Preserve Evidence: Save any communication you have from Uber, including ride receipts, app screenshots, and photos or videos you took.
- Don't Give a Recorded Statement: Insurance adjusters may ask to record your conversation. You should decline this request until you have spoken with an Uber crash attorney.
- Follow Your Doctor's Orders: Attend all follow-up appointments and physical therapy sessions to show you're taking your recovery seriously.
- Avoid Discussing Your Case on Social Media: Insurance companies often review social media accounts to find information they can use against you.
FAQ for Uber Accident Lawyer
What Should I Do if Uber's Insurance Company Contacts Me?
If an adjuster from Uber's insurer contacts you, be polite but cautious. You can confirm your name and contact information, but don't discuss the details of the accident or your injuries. Don't agree to a recorded statement or sign any documents before consulting with an attorney.
How Is an Uber Accident Claim Different From a Regular Car Accident Claim?
An Uber accident claim is more complex due to the multiple layers of insurance and the question of the driver's employment status. A regular car accident typically involves only the personal insurance policies of the two drivers.
An Uber crash requires determining the driver's app status to identify which policy applies: the driver's personal insurance, Uber's supplemental coverage, or Uber's full commercial policy.
Can I File a Claim if an Uber Hit Me While I Was Walking or Cycling?
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists who are hit and injured by a negligent Uber driver have the right to file a claim. The same insurance rules apply to each of these situations.
The coverage depends on whether the driver was logged into the app and whether they were actively engaged in a ride when the accident happened.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After an Uber Wreck?
Every state has a law called the statute of limitations, which sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit varies by state, but it's usually two or three years from the date of the accident. '
If you miss this deadline, you'll likely lose your right to pursue compensation forever.
Why Do I Need an Uber Accident Lawyer if Uber Has a $1 Million Insurance Policy?
Uber's $1 million policy only applies in specific circumstances, and it's defended by powerful insurance companies and experienced lawyers. You need an Uber accident lawyer to build your case, prove the driver was at fault, document the full value of your damages, and force the insurer to treat your claim fairly.
Insurers want to pay victims as little as possible; your attorney's goal is to fight for the full compensation you need.
Start Building Your Claim Today
Your recovery should be your focus. Let a legal professional design the blueprint for your claim and manage the complex construction process. You provided the facts of what happened; now, let a qualified attorney build your case for a successful outcome.
Don't let the confusion and pressure from insurance companies dictate your future. Law Bear is here to connect you with an Uber accident lawyer in your area who can provide the strategic guidance you need.
Take the first step today and schedule a free case evaluation. Call us anytime at (309) 365-6510.