What Happens if Your Uber Gets Into an Accident?
Being injured in an Uber accident whether you’re a passenger, pedestrian, or driver of the vehicle hit, can create complex legal challenges because you may be dealing with multiple insurance policies to determine who is at-fault can be contested. At Postman Law, our experienced Uber accident attorneys advocate for your rights every step of the way, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight to secure the full compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do If I’m in an Uber Accident?
Right after an accident, your first priority should always be making sure you’re safe and checking yourself for injuries. If possible move to a safe location away from traffic.
Call 911
Call 911 immediately and get a police report. This report can serve as critical evidence for any insurance claim or legal action. Ask for paramedics to evaluate you at the scene, even if you feel fine because some injuries don’t appear right away.
Collect Evidence Of the Crash
If you’re able to, collect as much information as possible. If anyone saw the accident happen, ask for their names and phone numbers because witness statements can help establish what caused the crash. Other evidence to collect includes:
- Take photos of all vehicles involved.
- Road conditions (i.e. skid marks or hazard signs).
- Weather conditions.
- Any visible injuries.
- Download ride receipts and screenshot of your trip details. This captures your driver’s name, their vehicle make and model, and the license plate number.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine and have been evaluated by paramedics at the scene, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Adrenaline from the crash often masks the pain of serious injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussions. Medical records will be important for a future claim because they can connect your injuries directly to the accident, creating a paper trail to help recover the compensation you deserve.
Report the Accident to Uber
As soon as you can, you need to report the accident to Uber. You can easily report the incident directly through the Uber app by navigating to the “Help” section in the app menu. Select “Trip Issues and Refunds,” then the specific ride where the accident occurred. Choose the option that says “I was involved in an accident.” Uber will prompt you to provide details about what happened. After you submit the report, a representative from Uber’s incident response team will reach out to you to gather more information. It’s important to hire a Postman Law Uber accident attorney right away because Uber will want to dispute liability so they don’t have to pay out any compensation. Our attorneys will talk to Uber representatives on your behalf so they don’t try and incriminate you into saying something that could harm your future claim.
Is Uber Liable for Accidents?
Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors, so the company usually claims that it isn’t liable for the driver’s negligence. But depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be able to recover damages through Uber’s insurance. The main factor is what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash. Were they off the app, waiting for a ride request, or had a passenger in their car.
The App is Off
When the driver is not logged into the Uber app, they are considered to be driving for personal reasons. In this case, Uber doesn’t provide coverage, and any injuries, vehicle damage, or other losses must be claimed through the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
App is On & Waiting
When an Uber driver has the app on but hasn’t accepted a ride, Uber provides limited insurance coverage, but the driver is usually the one primarily liable. Uber’s policy may help cover damages if the driver’s personal insurance falls short.
An Uber Driver Accepted a Ride or a Passenger is in the Car
The most comprehensive coverage kicks in the moment the driver accepts your ride request and lasts until you exit the vehicle. During this time, Uber carries a $1 million third-party liability insurance policy which means if your Uber driver causes the accident, this policy can cover your medical expenses and other damages.
What if Multiple Cars Were Involved in an Uber Accident?
In certain states, liability can be divided among multiple parties when more than one is at-fault, because of comparative fault rules. If you’re in Ohio or Illinois, learn how comparative fault might affect your settlement.
Should I Hire a Lawyer For an Uber Accident?
If you’ve been in an accident with an Uber driver, handling a rideshare claim can be complex, which is why hiring an experienced Uber accident attorney at Postman Law is crucial. We’ll begin investigating your accident right away, protect your rights, negotiate with insurers on your behalf, and work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. We have offices in Chicago, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Denver, and handle Uber accident cases nationwide. Our attorneys have recovered thousands in compensation for clients, so let us fight for you! Call us at 844-POSTMAN or fill out our online form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance regarding your situation, consult a licensed attorney.
FAQs
You can sue Uber for an accident, but whether Uber itself is directly liable depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash and the insurance coverage. Contact Postman Law for a free case consultation so we can discuss next steps.
The timeline for an Uber settlement depends on how serious and complex the accident was. When liability is clear and damages are minor, a settlement can be reached in a few weeks to a couple of months. But if injuries are severe, fault is contested, or multiple parties are involved, the process may take several months, or even over a year.
It depends on who was at fault and whether the driver was logged into their rideshare app. Uber provides up to $1 million in liability coverage when a ride is in progress, which may cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
You may be entitled to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other damages depending on the specifics of your case.
If another driver caused your rideshare crash, their insurance typically pays first. If they don’t have enough coverage or are uninsured, you may be able to pursue compensation through the rideshare company’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
The deadline depends on your state’s statute of limitations. In many states, you have between one to three years to file a personal injury claim.
Nothing! Postman Law works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. We only charge a fee if we win your case or secure a settlement for you. The fee is typically a percentage of the total compensation you receive.
Postman Law specializes in personal injury cases, including car and truck accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, workplace injuries, and more. Our attorneys have secured over $3 billion for more than 1.4 million clients.
We move quickly to gather evidence, thoroughly investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court when necessary. You pay nothing up front. We only collect a fee if we secure compensation for you.
Throughout your case, we stay in close communication, answering your questions, explaining your options, and guiding you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.
Celebrating Our First Pitch: Postman Law at the MN Twins Opening
In 2003, armed only with ambition and a U-Haul, I and a few fellow Michigan grads rolled into the Twin Cities to start our law school journey at the U. Our first memorable stop? The iconic H.H.H. Metrodome.
Comparative Fault Explained
When you’re injured in an accident—whether it’s a car crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago or a slip-and-fall incident at a neighborhood grocery store—one of the first questions that comes up is: “Who’s at fault?” In Illinois, answering this question often involves comparative fault (also called comparative negligence).
Postman and Roden Law File Wrongful Death Suit against Lil Durk
Today, Postman Law and Roden Law filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County on behalf of the family of Saviay’a Robinson. The suit targets those responsible for the tragic death of Robinson in Los Angeles.