Uber accident cases are some of the most complicated personal injury cases we handle, and it's all because of the layers of insurance involved. Let me break it down so you understand what you're dealing with if you were hurt in an accident involving an Uber vehicle.
First, it matters whether you were the Uber passenger, the Uber driver, or someone in another vehicle. If you were the Uber passenger, your case is usually the most straightforward because you're almost never at fault — you were just sitting in the back seat. But 'straightforward' doesn't mean 'easy' because you still have to navigate Uber's insurance structure.
Here's how Uber's insurance works. If the Uber driver was logged into the app and had a passenger (or was on the way to pick one up), Uber's commercial insurance policy provides up to $1 million in liability coverage. That's a lot of insurance, which is great for victims of serious accidents. But if the driver was logged into the app but hadn't accepted a ride yet, the coverage drops significantly. And if the driver wasn't logged into the app at all, Uber's insurance doesn't apply — you'd be going after the driver's personal auto insurance.
The reason these cases get complicated is that Uber, the driver's personal insurance company, and sometimes the other driver's insurance company all point fingers at each other. Uber says it's the driver's personal policy. The personal policy says the driver was working for Uber so it's Uber's responsibility. Meanwhile, you're sitting there with medical bills piling up and nobody wants to pay.
That's why you need a lawyer who has handled Uber accident cases before. We know how to cut through the finger-pointing and identify which insurance policy applies. We also know that Uber's $1 million policy is just the starting point for negotiations — getting the actual money takes aggressive lawyering.
If you were hurt in an Uber accident anywhere in Illinois, call us at 312-500-4500. We'll sort out the insurance mess and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Things like insurance and police reports should only be second to your health so after an accident, immediately seek for medical attention. Do not be complacent with your trauma or injuries after an Uber car accident. In some cases, you may think you are fine because you only have bruises, but it is essential to have yourself checked immediately as there might be internal bleeding or something similar.
Furthermore, seeking medical attention after a Lyft car accident will enable you to acquire a medical certificate detailing the extent of your injuries. This will be necessary when dealing with your own personal insurance and those of the ridesharing apps. Having a medical certificate will also help you prove your case if you ever go to court due to the accident.
Take note that if you are able to bring yourself to the hospital, consider that instead of getting into an ambulance because that is much cheaper. Medical care after a car accident with Uber can be quite expensive even though you only have minor injuries. This is why it is very important to successfully get the settlement that you deserve for all the inconvenience that you will be facing.
If you are involved in a car accident where you are one of the drivers of the colliding vehicle or simply a passenger, you must have proper documentation of the scene. Take photos of the positions of the cars after the accident and extent of the damage it has caused. Doing this will help identify who is at fault and how much the compensation should be.
You should also take photos of your injuries. Although your injuries will be well detailed in the medical records, having visual proof of its extent will likely help strengthen your case if you decide to file for a personal injury lawsuit for your car accident with Uber.
However, if you feel any type of pain, do not prioritize doing this. Instead, call a friend or a family member to help you and ask them to go to the accident scene and document it through pictures for you. Also, if there are any witnesses during the accident, it is a good practice to ask for their contact details in case their statement will be needed after yourt Uber car accident.
Uber, Lyft and the insurance company are businesses that will do everything they can to protect their profits. This is why the likelihood of them downplaying your accident is high. To avoid that, gather as much evidence as you can.
Although police will also be doing this, doing your own gathering will be beneficial for you. Ask the contact details of the parties involved in the accident, i.e. the drivers, the passengers and witnesses. You can also request CCTV footage around the area of the accident to strengthen your case further, especially if you live in a state that does not have no-fault policies.
Do not fall into the trap of these businesses who will try to lower the case value of the accident. Whether you are a passenger or driver in the Uber car accident, make sure that you have the proper guidance from a lawyer on how to proceed and report the accident to the company.
There have been plenty of reports on how the insurance companies of Uber and Lyft as victims for statements. These statements may affect the value of their Lyft car accident claim if they utter the wrong statements, so it is best to invoke silence and have your lawyer handle communicating with them.
There are endless benefits in getting a car accident lawyer. Among the parties involved, they will be the only ones who have your best interest at heart. They are knowledgeable about how to navigate the system so that you get fair compensation for their car accident with Uber.
Do not just get a simple car accident lawyer, opt for those who have experience and expertise in handling Uber or Lyft car accidents. They will be the one to help you get the right settlement without the feeling of being cheated on.
In deciding which lawyer to choose, take a look at the previous Uber car accident cases and how they were able to handle them. There are now plenty of Uber or Lyft car accident lawyers who have won plenty of high-value cases, so you have many options out there.
Here are some additional tips and info that you might find helpful:
It is important to be truthful with your words, especially when giving a statement to the police. However, it would be best if you did this with the utmost care so that your words will not be used against you. Tell your side of your story from your perspective, but if you are not comfortable with doing so, do not speak until your attorney is present.
Furthermore, it is also crucial to know that you are not obliged to give a recorded statement to the insurance company of Lyft and Uber. Previous victims of car accidents involving Uber and Lyft have reported that they were contacted by the ridesharing apps’ insurance company.
Paying for medical care after a Uber car accident, no matter the severity can be quite expensive. This is why you must be careful in dealing with your insurance company so that they will not downplay your car accident with Uber case. To do this, simply notify them that you are involved in a car accident but do not divulge the details of who is at fault and let your personal injury lawyer take it from there.
However, if you are in a no-fault state discussing the details about the accident with your own insurance company does not matter. But Illinois is NOT an no fault state. This is because they will still pay for your medical bills even though you caused the incident or you are not driving the vehicle.
Take note that in some state if you happen to be a passenger of an Uber or Lyft car that got into an accident your own auto insurance may not cover your medical bills as it will only apply if you are driving the vehicle. However, you will be covered under Uber or Lyft’s personal insurance.
Being involved in a car accident with Uber is undoubtedly scary. However, you must still conduct yourself with respect and politeness with those people involved to avoid making the situation worse. Do not engage in a shouting match against the other person driving as these can be used against you or worst, escalate to a violent scenario.
The proper Uber car accident etiquette also applies when talking to police officers. Make sure to stay calm and state facts only.
If you are an Uber or Lyft driver, you must understand what liability and coverage from the get-go. You are considered as independent contractors by Uber and Lyft, which means the insurance coverage usually enjoyed by regular employees does not apply to you, which is why knowing this is even more important for you.
The trips in Uber and Lyft are insured for both the drivers and the passengers the moment the trip is accepted. However, if an Lyft car accident occurs and you have not accepted a trip yet, or you have no passenger on board, your insurance will take into effect.
Five things above all others. One: call 911 and get a police report — this documents the accident officially. Two: screenshot your Uber or Lyft app immediately showing the trip details — driver name, vehicle, trip status. Three: photograph everything — vehicles, scene, your injuries, any hazards. Four: get witness contact information. Five: call an attorney before giving any statements to Uber, Lyft, or their insurers. The rideshare company's response team moves quickly and their goal is to minimize liability.
Yes — when a driver has accepted a trip or has a passenger in the vehicle, Uber and Lyft maintain $1 million liability coverage. This coverage is significantly higher than most individual driver policies. However, accessing it requires establishing that the driver was on an active trip at the time of the accident — which is why screenshotting the app immediately after the crash is so important. The app record is your proof of trip status.
You have a claim against the Uber driver and Uber's insurance policy as a third party injured by their driver's negligence. The same $1 million coverage that protects passengers also applies to third parties injured by an Uber driver on an active trip. I document the driver's trip status, build the liability case, and pursue Uber's corporate insurance policy. These cases are handled similarly to other auto accident cases but with the additional layer of rideshare insurance analysis.
No — not without first having an attorney review it. Rideshare companies and their insurers are sophisticated and well-resourced. Quick settlement offers are designed to close claims before you understand their full value, before you've finished medical treatment, and before the permanent impact of your injuries is known. My consultation is free, my fee is contingency, and I handle rideshare accident cases regularly. Call 312-500-4500 before signing anything.
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If you or a loved one is dealing with a situation like this, give us a call any time, day or night. We are here to help. 312-500-4500
Scott DeSalvo founded DeSalvo Law to help injured people throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, IARDC #6244452, Scott has represented over 3,000 clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and accident cases.
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