There are more than 12,000 drivers that provide Uber rides in over 600 cities all over the world. The peer-to-peer transportation company went from earning $19 million in 2007 to over $5 billion in 2017. Every day it provides over a million rides. The public has definitely embraced this unique way of getting from one location to the next. Unfortunately, with that many rides, accidents are bound to happen. If you or a loved one have been injured in an Uber accident, contact a Las Vegas Uber accident lawyer at Christian Morris Trial Attorneys for help.
What Is Uber?
Uber is a company that uses a mobile app to match freelance drivers with people who need a ride. Uber sets the price based on the distance, the vehicle, and the number of riders. The rider(s) and driver agree to the price in advance, and the driver uses her or his own vehicle. In contrast to limousines and taxis that are required to be periodically inspected for safety, Uber vehicles are not required to undergo these types of inspection. Drivers also only need to have a standard driver’s license. Also, because Uber drivers use an app to stay in contact with their customers and dispatcher, they can potentially be distracted while they are driving.
Steps You Should Take If You Are Injured During An Uber Accident
Although Uber claims that it vets its drivers, it is possible for substandard drivers and vehicles to become part of the large driver pool. If you end up in an accident while riding in an Uber vehicle, the situation would be handled similar to if you had been in a private car.
Assess the situation and if necessary call 911.
It is a terrible experience to be involved in an auto accident. However, it is very important to remain calm. The very first step you should take when you are involved in an accident is to get medical attention for you or anyone else who has been injured. Call an ambulance or ask someone to do it for you and wait for the police to arrive. Even if you did not sustain any major injuries during your accident, it is a good idea to go to the emergency room so that any delayed or internal injuries can be ruled out. It is also a good idea to request a complete medical report of all of your injuries from your healthcare provider. Your medical reports will come in handy when you go to submit a claim.
Call the police.
Either you or the Uber driver should contact the police and report the accident. If necessary, the roadway should be cleared. Be sure to only provide facts and not any opinions when talking to the police or any other individuals involved in the accident.
Document your accident.
When you are seeking compensation for your injuries and emotional stress caused by the accident, it is essential to collect evidence. If possible, take videos and photos of the accident scene. You also might want to consider speaking to your Uber driver and any witnesses of the accident to collect contact information from them.
Will Uber Cover The Damages?
It can be tricky to find someone willing to pay for your injuries after an Uber accident. Although Uber does have a liability insurance policy, it is considered to be secondary insurance. This means that Uber’s insurance company expects the driver’s insurance company to be the first to pay before considering covering damages. However, a majority of personal car insurance companies do not pay out claims for any commercial activities. This is where it can get confusing.
In order to submit a successful claim, it is critical to prove that someone acted negligently. Even when the Uber driver is blamed for the accident, it can be hard to obtain compensation if they only have a personal auto insurance policy. This is because personal insurance does not usually cover commercial activities like transporting passengers through the Uber service.
Uber carries a $1 million insurance policy for passengers, drivers, and third-parties who might become injured during an accident involving an Uber vehicle. Unfortunately, Uber often denies insurance claims. If your claim gets rejected, you may need to file a lawsuit. When filing a lawsuit, it is a good idea to work with a skilled and experienced Las Vegas Uber accident lawyer. A lawyer will help guide you through this process and help ensure that you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Suppose an Uber driver was being careless and caused an accident when they were in between transporting riders but were available. In that case, Uber will not be required to provide as much money, and will likely attempt to downplay the accident. The Uber driver might do the same since they only have personal insurance.
The following are the two situations that injured passengers can be faced with after an Uber accident:
The Uber driver was at fault: Under the law, ride-sharing companies such as Uber are required to carry $1 million minimum in insurance for property damage and injuries caused by its drivers. So if you have sustained injuries due to an Uber driver’s negligence, you can file a lawsuit against Uber. However, it is important for you to be aware that this insurance applies from the time your request for booking a ride is accepted by the Uber driver until the driver marks the ride as complete.
The Uber driver was not at fault: In this situation, you can file a claim against the driver of another vehicle that was involved in your accident. You will only be able to obtain compensation if the at-fault driver has a car insurance policy.
What Can Be Recovered In An Uber Accident Suit?
You can be compensated for the following damages:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering, which includes any physical impairment
Following your accident, an insurance agent from Uber’s insurance company may attempt to contact you to work on a settlement or get a statement from you. You should not say anything to the insurance agent until you talk to your lawyer. You are under no obligation to speak with them. When you try to reach a settlement with an insurance agent on your own, it will typically result in you recovering a lot less money than if you had help from a Las Vegas Uber accident lawyer. Insurance agents work to reduce how much money is paid out by the insurance company, meaning you will need an experienced lawyer to push back to make sure you are compensated fairly for the injuries you have suffered.
Reach Out To A Las Vegas Uber Accident Lawyer At Christian Morris Trial Attorneys
If you or a family member was injured in an Uber accident, an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Las Vegas can help you obtain the compensation that you need to pay for your medical bills and living expenses. To learn more about what our Nevada personal injury law firm has to offer, give us a call today at (702) 434-8282 and schedule a free consultation.
