When you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you could be entitled to monetary damages from the at-fault party. When the other driver involved in your accident is operating an Uber, the process for pursuing justice can become more complex.
The good news is that monetary damages in these cases are often possible. Whether you were struck by an Uber driver, a passenger in an Uber during a collision, or even an Uber driver involved in a crash through no fault of your own, a personal injury case could be in your best interest. Let a Sarasota rideshare accident lawyer pursue damages on your behalf.
How Uber Insurance Coverage Works
Insurance coverage is one of the ways Uber accidents can be more complex than other vehicle collisions. Most car accidents involve one or two insurance policies, with each driver typically having their own coverage. In certain accidents, Uber could also provide insurance coverage as well. Our firm could help you untangle the web of insurance coverage to determine who is on the hook for your damages.
Uber policies carry as much as $1 million in coverage, but that full amount is not always available. In fact, there are countless accidents where Uber will not provide insurance coverage at all. Whether or not Uber offers coverage depends on the status of the driver at the time of the crash.
It also important to note that Uber will not typically be your initial source of compensation following an accident. These policies are secondary, meaning they will only pay after the policy of the at-fault driver is exhausted.
When the Driver Has Accepted a Ride
As soon as an Uber driver accepts a ride, the occupants of their vehicle are covered under the full value of the insurance policy. The $1 million dollar policy limits could cover damages resulting from bodily injuries as well as any property damage that occurs in the crash. This level of coverage kicks in as soon as a driver accepts a ride on the mobile app and remains in place until the rider is dropped off at their destination.
When a Driver Is Seeking a Rider
Any time an Uber driver is not in the midst of a paying trip, the full amount on the insurance policy is not available. Uber does provide some coverage as long as a driver is actively seeking out a rider. If a driver has activated the mobile app but has not yet accepted a rider, they could have limited insurance coverage from the Uber policy.
When a Driver Is Not Seeking a Rider
Uber does not consider drivers not actively seeking out paying customers as being in “driver mode.” Instead, they consider these parties driving for personal reasons. Uber does not extend any insurance to their drivers under these circumstances. An Uber driver must have their app activated and be actively seeking a passenger for insurance coverage to kick in.
Potential Compensation for Your Injuries
When you pursue an injury case following an Uber accident, you could be entitled to an array of financial compensation. The total value of your potential settlement will depend on each type of compensation you are entitled to recover. The possible types available to you include:
Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, it could have a sudden and unexpected impact on your ability to earn a living. By pursuing a monetary award after your accident, you could recoup the weeks or months of missed paychecks stemming from your injuries.
Medical Bills
Medical expenses can be overwhelming following an Uber accident. Even emergency care in the aftermath of the crash could upend your budget and drain your resources. The cost of ongoing, long-term care could have an even greater effect. Your personal injury lawsuit could provide compensation for the cost of treatment like surgical procedures, follow-up care, and hospitalization.
Pain and Suffering
Damages might also be available based on the pain you sustained. Your physical pain only occurred because of the accident, and it is only fair that you are compensated. Our firm could establish the monetary value of your pain and suffering claim.
Who Could Pursue Compensation After an Uber Accident?
Anyone involved in an Uber accident could be entitled to compensation—either through a civil lawsuit or an insurance policy. The facts of the accident will determine your options, but in some cases every individual injured in the crash could have a viable claim for compensation.
Other Motorists
Most insurance claims involving Uber accidents are pursued by the other motorists involved in the collision. When Uber drivers negligently cause a crash, the other drivers could pursue benefits through the policies paid for by Uber and the driver.
Passengers
The passengers in an Uber are covered by the rideshare company’s policy when accidents happen. Their injuries could be covered regardless of who was at fault in the crash.
Uber Drivers
Not all Uber accidents are caused by the rideshare driver. In many situations, the rideshare driver could have played no part in causing the crash. The accident could have resulted from the negligence of another motorist or pedestrian. Alternatively, a defect in the vehicle or even in the road itself could be to blame.
When an Uber driver is injured in a collision, they could have a viable claim against the insurance policy provided by the rideshare company. They could also have a potential case against the party that caused the crash.
You Could Recover Damages Following a Sarasota Uber Accident
An Uber accident can be traumatic, but it does not have to alter your quality of life. Even serious injuries could be addressed with the appropriate financial support. Securing that support could be possible through civil lawsuits and insurance claims.
A favorable outcome in your case is never guaranteed, but having the right legal counsel could improve your chances of success. The Sarasota car accident lawyers team at GED Lawyers is prepared to aggressively pursue financial compensation on your behalf. Reach out for a free consultation to learn how a Sarasota Uber accident lawyer could help.
