Ever used Uber or Lyft before? If yes, then you may be interested to read the following 3 facts about Uber, provided by our Uber Accident Attorney. How many of them did you know already?
1. Uber has insurance which covers you in the event you are injured
This is good news. It means that both the driver and the passengers are covered by Uber’s insurance in the event of an accident. Uber even has uninsured motorist coverage, so it is insured against third party drivers who have no insurance.
To quote directly from Uber:
“The coverage amount is $1 million of total coverage for bodily injury. This insurance covers your vehicle in case of an accident whether it was your fault or not.”
Source: https://www.uber.com/drive/insurance/
2. However, Uber’s insurance does NOT apply when the driver is between passengers.
Now this one is not such good news. Essentially, it means that if the Uber driver does not have a passenger, then Uber considers them to be not working for Uber at this point in time. This is because Uber treats all drivers as contract workers - NOT employees. So, if an accident happens when the driver does NOT have a passenger, then Uber is likely to argue that it’s insurance does not cover this.
In case you want proof, this has already happened. In 2013 when an Uber driver ran over (and fatally injured) a 6-year-old girl in San Francisco. The driver had the Uber app on at the time, but did not have a passenger. Uber has always claimed that it - not its insurance - should be liable for any of the costs. However, perhaps because of public pressure, Uber settled the case out of court.
Source: https://time.com/3625556/uber-manslaughter-charge-san-francisco/
3. What to do if you are involved in an Uber accident?
If you are involved in an Uber accident, there are many factors to consider. First and foremost, take care of your immediate safety. In moments of stress and anxiety, it is easy to make matters worse than they already are. For example, make sure the road is safe before getting out of the car.
Second, if you or anyone else requires medical attention, then seek medical help. If it is life-threatening, then call 911.
Third, take details. The more information you have about the accident (e.g. photos, license plate info etc), the better your chances of claiming coverage for any injuries and damages sustained.
Finally, it is recommended to contact an attorney. In particular, you should seek out an someone who has experience with Uber accidents, such as our Uber accident attorney.
Further information
AskMyAttorneys specializes in law surrounding personal injury and motor vehicle accidents, including Uber and Lyft accidents. Our Uber lawyer has extensive experience representing Uber passengers and drivers to ensure that they get the compensation they deserve. Read more about our Uber attorney or Contact Us.
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