An Uber accident lawyer can help determine who may be responsible for a rideshare crash, identify potentially applicable insurance coverage, gather evidence, document injuries and financial losses, negotiate with insurers, and pursue an injury claim when appropriate. A key issue is often the Uber driver's status when the collision occurred because insurance coverage may differ depending on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick up a passenger, or completing a trip.
Uber crashes can affect more than the rideshare passenger. Depending on the circumstances, potential injury claims may involve:
One of the first issues to determine is what the Uber driver was doing when the crash happened:
Uber states that when a driver is online and available for a trip, it maintains third-party liability insurance of at least:
If you are involved in a rideshare crash, the steps taken immediately afterward can help preserve information that may later be important to an insurance or injury claim.
Liability depends on the cause of the crash. Potentially responsible parties may include:
Rideshare crashes can occur for many of the same reasons as other motor vehicle collisions, including:
Depending on the circumstances, applicable state law, available insurance coverage, and severity of the injuries, an Uber accident claim may seek compensation for losses such as:
When comparing lawyers, consider:
What does an Uber accident lawyer do?
An Uber accident lawyer investigates the crash, identifies potentially responsible parties and applicable insurance policies, gathers evidence, documents damages, communicates with insurers, negotiates claims, and may file a lawsuit when necessary. Rideshare cases can require additional investigation because insurance coverage may depend on the driver's app status.
Does Uber provide insurance if a passenger is injured?
Uber maintains commercial insurance for qualifying rideshare activity, but the specific coverage available depends on the circumstances and applicable state law. Coverage can differ depending on whether the driver was waiting for a request, traveling to a pickup, or completing an accepted ride.
What happens if another driver causes an Uber accident?
If another motorist caused the crash, that driver's liability insurance may be one potential source of compensation. Depending on the state and circumstances, other coverage may also be relevant, particularly when the responsible driver is uninsured or does not have enough insurance.
Can an Uber driver make an injury claim after an accident?
Potentially. An injured Uber driver's options depend on who caused the crash, the driver's app status, available personal or rideshare insurance, and state law. Different rules and insurance arrangements can apply to drivers compared with passengers.
What evidence should I save after an Uber accident?
Keep photographs, medical records, police-report information, witness details, insurance information, receipts, and communications related to the accident. Uber passengers should also preserve trip receipts, screenshots, driver information, pickup and destination details, and other available records from the ride.
How long do I have to file an Uber accident claim?
Deadlines depend on the state, type of claim, and parties involved. Personal injury statutes of limitation vary by jurisdiction, and some claims can have shorter notice requirements. An attorney licensed in the relevant state can determine which deadlines apply to a particular accident.