Uber Accident: Who is Liable, and What Makes Rideshare Cases Different?

When you’re involved in an auto accident, a common question asked is if you should contact an injury lawyer. This is important for any kind of accident, regardless of the cause or context of the accident. But in an Uber accident, it’s even more important to contact an experienced attorney.

Ride-sharing services like Uber have grown in popularity in recent years. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t vulnerable to accidents if you’re not driving a vehicle. An Uber accident could involve other legal matters, with different liabilities and damages for all parties.

Did you find yourself in an Uber accident recently? Read our guide to find out helpful information about who is liable, and what makes rideshare cases different from other standard car accidents.

The Differences In Uber Accidents

While accidents happen all the time, Uber or rideshare accidents get handled differently. This is because of the insurance coverage and what gets determined as a result of the accident involving a rideshare service. Many factors get looked over about a rideshare accident to see what can or cannot be covered.

For example, the personal car insurance of an Uber driver might not cover the cost of injuries or damages sustained from the accident in full. Even though Uber provides insurance to cover some damages, they may also try to resist paying a claim. This can be because of the actions of the Uber driver or if there wasn’t a passenger at the time of the accident.

If an Uber driver is at fault in an accident and has a passenger in the vehicle, then Uber could provide coverage up to $1 million. But this can change if the driver doesn’t have the Uber application active in their vehicle or if there are other third parties involved too. Uber is not on the side of people involved in accidents, they are trying to maintain their own interests and keep costs low.

Do I Need a Lawyer for an Uber Accident?

Things can get complicated in a rideshare accident, and you may not know all the important details on what to do. Anyone involved in an Uber accident should find an Uber accident attorney to tell them what options and rights they have. A personal injury lawyer is there to protect your interest and advise you on the best how you should proceed in a situation like this.

Any accident lawyer you work with following an accident will help you navigate the process to make sure you’re taken care of. They’ll look over the company’s insurance policies, help keep track of any damages as a result of the accident, and communicate with Uber’s legal team. Working with them will minimize the stress of addressing a claim and moving forward with any legal options that are open.

Working with an attorney that specializes in rideshare accidents or working on cases specific to Uber is helpful. Their knowledge of the specifics of the company and details of your case can be a major asset in making sure you get any compensation you deserve.

Could You Sue Uber For an Accident?

While it may be the first thing to come to mind after an accident involving an Uber, you can’t actually sue the company itself. Uber views its drivers as independent contractors, so they can deny liability if any Uber driver is in an accident. So how do you approach a situation like this if you can’t sue the company?

The insurance policy of the driver comes into effect first, followed by Uber themselves under certain conditions. Claims are filed following the accident with an Uber accident attorney to seek the compensation owed. This can be done by proving that there was negligence on the part of the Uber driver at the time of the accident.

Negligence is when there are a few details present. If an Uber driver breached their duty of care towards you, a person was injured because of that breach, and if the injury was caused by the accident. While Uber will try to settle things at a low cost, having an attorney to show there was negligence will often get the compensation owed.

The Value of a Claim

Most people assume medical bills from injuries are what make up the majority of compensation from accidents. But there is actually a lot more involved. In a rideshare accident, damages can include a lot more expenses and compensation that can be lost without the proper legal advice.

Medical expenses are part of the compensation, but a claim can include lost income that resulted from receiving an injury in an accident. This can be money lost from a hospital stay and long-term impairments that prevent you from working.

Pain and suffering can also be factored into compensation if the accident included drastic results. However, it can be difficult to attach a specific value and prove these kinds of damages without the help of specialists who can strengthen your case.

Better Understanding of Uber Accidents

After reading our guide on what makes an Uber accident unique, you should have a better understanding of how they are different compared to other types of accidents. As ride-sharing continues to grow in popularity, the possibility of finding yourself in an Uber accident is higher. You don’t want to deal with the fallout of such a scenario without fully knowing what your options are and what you are entitled to.

Looking for legal advice from experienced attorneys after an accident? Visit the Alpha Accident Lawyers website to get in touch with professionals and get the compensation you’re owed. Their attorneys will guide you through every step of the process and fight for the justice you deserve.