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Uber Accident
Uber fulfills 40 million rides per month in the United States alone. This means that Ubers are likely to be involved in accidents just like other vehicles that frequently use the roads. If you are injured in an accident, just know that Uber requires its drivers to submit to background checks to ensure passenger safety, but that cannot completely prevent Uber accidents from happening. Passengers in Uber accidents can seek compensation for their injuries just like passengers in private vehicles. You need an experienced lawyer to help you file a claim for damages you suffered in an Uber Accident.
What To Do After Uber Accident
You should snap photos and record videos of the accident scene because they will act as evidence later when you file a claim for compensation or during a court case.
You should also jot down the other driver’s contact and insurance information, and the contact information of eyewitnesses. But your first priority should be to call 911 and get medical attention as soon as possible. Seek medical attention even if your injuries seem minor because some serious internal injuries start presenting symptoms weeks, or even months after an accident.
Going to the doctor will also result in medical documentation that you can preserve and use later as evidence.
Liability In An Uber Accident
Uber ride sharing app is a relatively new service, and that comes with a few legal complications. The company Uber does not own the cars that use its app, and does not pay its drivers like Taxi companies do. In fact, legislation that determines liability for peer-to-peer transportation services is still in development. However, this does not mean that you cannot get paid for damages in an Uber accident.
If another driver caused the Uber accident that you were involved in, then that driver’s insurance company will pay for your damages. If the Uber driver’s negligence is what caused the accident, then you may benefit from the insurance coverage Uber carries for passengers. You will need a resourceful lawyer to help you navigate all this complexity and help you get the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact a lawyer today.
Suing Uber For Injuries In An Accident
If an Uber driver causes an accident, you may be able to sue Uber. The status of the driver at the time of the crash will determine whether you can sue Uber or not for injuries you suffered. If the driver was “offline” or was not working at the time of the crash, then you cannot sue Uber. The reason for this is that an off duty Uber driver is considered a normal regular driver operating a private vehicle. You can only benefit from Uber’s passenger Insurance Coverage if you got injured when the driver was on duty.
Damages You May Recover In An Uber Accident
You may obtain the following damages for a car accident:
- Medical expenses in the past and future that are related to your accident
- Loss of future wages because of long-term disability and permanent diminished earning capacity
- Property damage expenses
- Punitive damages in situations where outrageous wrongful conduct led to the accident
- Wrongful death in a cases brought by a family member of the person who died