Uber Accident Settlement: What You Need to Know
Uber survived the COVID-19 pandemic and even managed to thrive in its wake. Unfortunately, Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing apps aren’t immune to the dangers inherent in driving on a daily basis.
According to Uber’s recent safety report, 99.9% of Uber rides have been completed without any incidents. However, Uber didn’t take into account minor accidents, even those that resulted in injuries. As a result, the true percentage may look a lot closer to average car accident statistics.
How can you make sure you reach the best Uber accident settlement possible? Who do you turn to when you’ve been involved in an Uber accident?
We’re here to explain the process of reaching a settlement after an Uber accident. Keep reading for the details.
Who Do You File a Claim Against After Getting in an Uber Accident?
Many people assume that if they were in an accident involving an Uber driver, they would be able to file a claim against the multi-billion-dollar company itself. However, Uber makes an important distinction about the status of Uber drivers that protects them from this liability. Rather than hiring drivers as employees of the company, they consider their drivers to be independent contractors using the app to secure work.
That means that if an Uber driver is responsible for an accident, you would file the claim against that driver, not the company.
Keep in mind that if you’re filing an Uber accident claim, whether you’re the Uber driver, the Uber passenger, or an unaffiliated driver, you should always hire a car accident attorney. Car accident claims are tricky to navigate, particularly when you aren’t sure where your compensation is coming from.
Uber’s Insurance Policy
After a tragic accident in 2014, Uber extended their supplemental liability insurance policy. In addition to the $1 million liability insurance policy they provide when Uber drivers are “on trip,” they now offer liability insurance that kicks in under certain circumstances. Let’s take a closer look at how this insurance policy works.
Offline Drivers
If an Uber driver isn’t logged into the app, they are not on the job. That means that if you get into an accident with an Uber driver who isn’t looking for or accepting passengers, you will have to rely on their insurance policy alone. Like you, they are just another driver operating their personal vehicle.
Online Drivers Between Rides
If an Uber driver is logged into the app but isn’t “on trip” (which is to say, with or retrieving passengers), the newer liability insurance offered by Uber may kick in.
This policy includes up to $50,000 per injured party (maxing out at $100,000 per accident) as well as up to $25,000 for property damage. However, this policy only kicks in if the driver’s insurance can’t match or exceed it.
This is significant because Uber only requires its drivers to carry the minimum insurance coverage required by their state. In California, the minimum requirement is much lower than what Uber’s liability insurance provides.
Online Drivers With or Retrieving Passengers
In one specific instance, Uber will offer up to $1 million of liability insurance to cover damages caused by an Uber accident. That includes medical expenses, property damage, and more. This substantial protection only kicks in if an accident occurs while an Uber driver is transporting passengers.
Reaching a Settlement as an Uber Driver
If you are driving for Uber and another driver causes an accident that you are involved in, the first step is to exchange information. It is important to find out what kind of coverage the other driver has. If their personal insurance policy is large enough to cover all related damages, you will file the claim through that insurance policy.
What if the at-fault driver’s insurance policy can’t cover the damages they’ve caused? If an Uber driver was between rides but online, they may be able to file a claim with Uber’s additional liability insurance policy. If they were “on trip,” they may be able to file a claim with Uber’s $1 million policy.
Reaching a Settlement as an Uber Passenger
Uber passengers are the only people who can always count on Uber’s $1 million policy if needed. However, it may not always kick in.
If the Uber driver caused the accident, injured passengers will file a claim with Uber’s $1 million policy. If another driver caused the accident but doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to cover the damages, injured passengers will file a claim with Uber’s $1 million policy.
Keep in mind that this policy doesn’t mean that you will receive a $1 million settlement amount after getting in an Uber accident. It means that you can receive up to $1 million and the amount you receive will reflect things like related medical bills, lost income, and personal property damage.
Reaching a Settlement as an Unaffiliated Victim
What if you are a victim of an Uber accident, but you weren’t affiliated with the Uber driver? Does Uber’s liability insurance protect you?
The answer is, as you may have expected, sometimes. If an Uber driver is not logged into the app, you will need to file a claim with their personal insurance. If the Uber driver was between rides and has sufficient coverage to compensate you for all related damages, you will file a claim with their personal insurance.
If an Uber driver is underinsured and between rides, the additional liability insurance policy will kick in. If the Uber driver had passengers in the car at the time of the accident, the $1 million policy will kick in. In both of these circumstances, you will file a claim with Uber’s insurance policy.
Work With an Experienced Attorney to Reach an Uber Accident Settlement
Filing a car accident claim is always stressful and even confusing. Filing an Uber accident claim can become even more confusing because you may not know where your coverage is coming from. To reach a fair and just Uber accident settlement, you’re going to need an experienced attorney.
Riverview Accident Lawyers have years of experience fighting for car accident victims. To find out if you have a case, contact us today.