Rideshare services can be extremely useful in getting from one place to another without having to drive yourself or take public transportation. The most common rideshare company is Uber. But while Uber may be convenient, accidents – and injuries – can still occur.
After being involved in an Uber accident, you should take the following steps:
- Receive immediate medical attention.
- Report the accident to local law enforcement and obtain a copy of the police report.
- Report all details of the accident to Uber as soon as possible (through the app or the website’s help center).
- Collect information such as photos and video of vehicle damage, visible injuries, insurance information of all involved parties, and witness statements.
- Communicate with Uber’s support team, which may request additional information related to the accident.
- File an insurance claim.
With Whom Do You File an Insurance Claim?
If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident, you may wonder how to hold Uber responsible for your injuries. This is dependent upon who was responsible for the accident: the driver or a third party.
Third-Party Liability
If a third party was responsible for causing the accident, you would bring a claim against that party for negligence. But when this is the case, you are only likely to receive compensation for your injuries if that driver has auto insurance. If they don’t have the proper insurance coverage, you can still file a personal injury lawsuit against them. Unfortunately, though, if that driver doesn’t have the money, you won’t receive it.
Uber Driver Liability
If your Uber driver is to blame for the accident, you can bring a lawsuit against them. It’s important to note that most Uber drivers lack commercial insurance and only have personal policies, which likely won’t cover accidents while they were driving commercially. Therefore, you most likely will be unable to recover compensation from your driver’s insurance company. However, in this situation you can file a claim against Uber, which is required by law to carry $1 million in insurance coverage per accident for personal injury and property damage caused by the negligence of one of its drivers. Put simply, if your Uber driver’s insurance policy fails to fully compensate you for your injuries, Uber itself can then apply its own insurance coverage. If the insurance coverage of the driver and that of Uber fail to cover any of your damages, you may be able to sue the driver or the company directly.
Compensation for Damages
If you have been injured in an Uber accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
What Next?
If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident, Uber’s insurance company may have one of its agents call you, likely in an attempt to settle for a specified amount of money. It’s imperative that you don’t except any offers, make any statements, or sign any documents without first speaking with a qualified Texas personal injury attorney, as insurance companies often offer far less money that what you may otherwise be entitled to. Once you accept a settlement offer, you are barred from recovering any more money. Uber’s insurance company may also request supporting documents of your injuries.
Contact a Lawyer as Soon as Possible!
The sooner you can contact a qualified Texas personal injury attorney the better. He or she can help to collect evidence and walk you through the claims process with Uber and the insurance companies and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.
The Attorneys at Rochelle McCullough Help Those in Dallas Who Have Been Injured in an Uber Accident
It can be difficult to deal with injuries from an Uber accident. But you shouldn’t have to also carry the financial burden of someone else’s negligence. If you have been injured in an Uber accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Be sure to speak with a qualified Texas personal injury attorney who specializes in rideshare accidents as soon as possible.
The lawyers at Rochelle McCullough will help fight for your rights. To schedule a consultation, contact us today.