Uber Accident Attorneys – Knowing Your Rights

Whether you are a passenger hopping into an Uber for a night on the town or catching a ride to the airport, or you are an Uber driver anticipating a full day of fares, the last thing on your mind is what would happen in the event of an accident. After all, one of the primary motivators for leveraging Uber is to provide people with an alternative to driving so they can arrive at their chosen destination safely.

According to a recent study published by Uber, 99.9% of trips end without any type of safety incident. This is great news for drivers and passengers alike, and it stands to reason that Uber will be a profitable and viable option for many years to come.

All that being said, for passengers and drivers who are unfortunate enough to fall into that .1%, not knowing what to do next can be challenging and complicated. Uber accident attorneys like Uberlawyer.com exist for this very reason – to help you understand your rights, ensure you receive the coverage you deserve, and protect you from further harm.

Uber Accident Basics

Many people do not know the steps to take after they have been in an Uber-related accident and may assume that Uber or their insurance company will pay for all damages related to the claim. However, the coverage that Uber provides is dependent on many factors, including who was involved and at what point during the ride the accident took place.

Uber Passengers

As a passenger, Uber will offer uninsured and underinsured coverage of up to $1 million for injuries or medical costs associated with the accident, regardless of if your driver or a third party was at fault. You may also be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the party at fault for the accident and any damages incurred.

Uber Drivers

As a driver for Uber, either your personal insurance or the insurance provided to you by Uber will cover the expenses of the accident, depending on which phase or period of the ride you are in and whether you have an active passenger. Because coverage can greatly change depending on the ride phase, if you are an Uber driver it is important that you not only have auto insurance but that you secure an additional rideshare policy or rider for maximum protection.

Each of the different ride periods are outlined below, however an Uber accident attorney can help explain these in greater detail.

• Period 0 (Offline) – claims must be covered by personal insurance, as you are considered to be “off the job” in this period.
• Period 1 (Online, Waiting for a Request) – Uber will provide liability coverage for the driver, however collision or insurance for injury is not covered.
• Periods 2 and 3 (Fare Accepted, Passenger Pickup) – Uber will provide full coverage, including liability, injury, and collision.

Regardless of what period you were in when the accident occurred, it is critical that you gather as much evidence as possible to support the claim. Take photos of the accident scene as well as screenshots from your phone of the period the ride was in, showing both the date and time of the ride. Then, contact a skilled Uber accident attorney to help walk you through the next steps.

Other Types of Accidents

Not all types of accidents that may be covered by Uber involve other vehicles. While fairly uncommon, accidents with pedestrians can also happen, and again the coverage that Uber will provide depends on the period the ride is in.

Drivers and passengers are also offered protection from incidents that happen toward one another, such as in the case of assault or property damage. If you have been involved in this type of accident, an Uber accident attorney can still help you navigate the coverage and protection available.

Uber Accident Attorney Benefits

Ridesharing companies are still relatively young to the market, and ridesharing laws are put in place to protect citizens like you are even younger. Gaps in the current laws can leave many people vulnerable and unsure of what is available to help them. Understanding the different coverages that the ridesharing company will provide depending on who was involved and the period the accident occurred is just the beginning.

Many Uber passengers and/or drivers are unaware that there are attorneys that specialize in these types of cases and, as a result, try to handle their personal injury claims on their own. In doing so, you could be settling for far less compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering than you deserve.

Ultimately, insurance companies and ridesharing companies do not want to be held liable for payment in the event of accidents and are prepared to fight to keep their money. Many people find themselves in the middle of negotiations between these parties, and in some instances, accident claims can take up to two years to be settled.

Having a skilled Uber accident attorney on your side from the very beginning will take the entire process off your shoulders and ensure that you are appropriately represented and advocated for, no matter how long the process may take.