If you’re in an accident during an Uber ride as a passenger, you may find yourself in a unique position between insurance companies. A car accident lawyer can be of assistance if you are ever in a car accident involving an Uber vehicle. Read on to learn our friends at Hall-Justice explain the steps that should be taken if you are ever in an accident involving an Uber.
What To Do Immediately After an Accident
The initial steps you should take in an accident involving an Uber driver are the same as you should take in any auto accident.
- First, take care of any injuries that resulted from the accident. Contact the police and an ambulance. You should contact an ambulance even if your or your driver’s injuries appear to be minor, as an emergency room doctor may be able to identify any delayed-onset or internal injuries. When talking to the police or anyone else at the scene, only state facts and avoid offering any opinions.
- Take photos of the accident and get the contact information of the driver and any witnesses. You will need these for an insurance claim. You should also ask an officer at the scene how you can obtain a copy of the police report.
The steps differ a bit from this point on, however.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
How an Uber Accident Is Different From Other Accidents
Uber has a secondary insurance policy that pays up to $1 million. However, it is secondary insurance, and they will want you to go through the driver’s primary insurance first. Unfortunately, many personal auto insurance companies don’t cover commercial activities, so it may quickly become difficult for you to file a claim and receive compensation.
Uber may attempt to contact you first to obtain a statement and settle your claim, but you are not required to speak with them. Going through Uber directly will earn you as little compensation as you can get. Instead, speak with your attorney, who will have your best interests in mind.
What To Do If Uber Won’t Help You
Because Uber’s insurance policy is notoriously complex, it may not cover you at all. Uber will claims that your Uber driver is not technically an employee of Uber, but an independent contractor. This means Uber can try to claim that the driver was completely at fault and therefore they bear no responsibility for the accident. We can fight this independent contractor defense.
If you find yourself in an accident during an Uber ride, you may find it exceedingly difficult to obtain compensation for medical bills or other expenses. You may find, as was in the news in 2024, that Uber may contend that you have waived your rights to a trial by jury and that you must instead arbitrate the dispute. They may claim that you have agreed to this by virtue of clicking on an agreement when buying food through Uber Eats. Because of this and other tricky aspects of fighting Uber, you should contact one of our car accident lawyers who will work in your best interests to earn you the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
