Is Uber Responsible for Accidents?
Uber’s drivers are independent contractors, not direct employees of the company. As such, it may be difficult to sue Uber directly if an Uber driver is at fault in an auto accident. In these instances, the injured person would need to file their claim against the driver to obtain compensation for their injuries.
Even with Uber’s $1 million insurance policy, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit if there are legal issues that need to be resolved, or if the insurance policy doesn’t cover specific losses. An Uber accident lawyer can help the victim of the crash obtain the proper remedy for their expenses.
What to Do If You’re in an Accident With an Uber Driver
A person who is not an Uber passenger can also get into an accident involving an Uber driver. The two most common scenarios are:
- You were in another vehicle that was in an accident with an Uber driver
- You were a pedestrian or bicyclist who was struck by an Uber
In both of these cases, liability and damages will again depend on whether the Uber driver was driving a passenger, on the clock waiting for a ride, or off of the clock (“offline”). Basically, if the driver was off the clock, then it would be treated as a normal car or pedestrian accident.
As you can see, these types of situations can become quite complex, especially when it comes to proving whether the driver was working or not at the time of the accident. This is why it is highly recommended to let an Uber accident lawyer sort these issues out on your behalf.
Steps to Take After an Uber Accident
As with any car accident, the victim must be able to prove two things in order to win compensation: that the other party was at fault for the accident, and the severity of the victim’s injuries.
Following an accident, you should:
- Call for medical attention if there is an injury or suspected injury.
- Document the accident with photographs of injuries, property damage, and the accident scene.
- Gather witness information.
- Get the driver’s personal and insurance policy information.
- Jot down the accident events while they are still fresh in your mind.
- Obtain the police report.
- Track all medical appointments and costs for accident injuries.
- Track all time missed from work due to the accident.
Following these steps can help prepare you for your claim, and will begin the process of preparation in the event that a lawsuit is needed. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of success. An experienced attorney can help you gather what’s needed for your case.
How a Lawyer Can Help
An experienced car accident attorney is your biggest ally following an accident, and this is especially true during the complicated legal aftermath of an Uber accident. An attorney can take on insurance agencies that deny claims due to insufficient driver coverage. We can also go after the rideshare companies themselves, who do all they can to avoid paying out on an accident one of their drivers has caused.
By negotiating with other parties and gathering the necessary evidence for you, you can enjoy a better chance of winning your claim, while also being able to concentrate on healing. As part of taking on your case, your attorney may:
- Collect and review medical and other technical documents
- Gather medical bills and other expenses related to your accident
- Take witness testimony
- Order police reports
- Work with medical experts and other technical experts
Upon carefully reviewing this evidence, we can build a strong case that demonstrates your injuries and property damage were directly due to the Uber accident. We can also determine and prove the maximum compensation you are owed. Choosing to take on an Uber driver or rideshare company on your own means taking the risk of not recovering full damages, and potentially being denied compensation altogether.
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