When you climb into the back seat of a stranger’s car and expect to safely get to your destination, it goes against all that we have ever learned and taught – fortunately, we trust that Uber, Lyft, and the other popular ride service platforms have gone to sufficient lengths to vet their drivers and hold them to rigorous standards to ensure your safety. The reality is that while Uber does have strict vetting policies to ensure that the drivers on their platform have clear criminal backgrounds, high customer ratings, and safe vehicles, there is no guarantee that you will never be involved in an accident while taking an Uber.
Luckily, Uber has excellent insurance coverage for people involved in accidents with Uber drivers, either as passengers or while driving their own vehicle, but the requirements for determining which insurance policy covers victims vary depending on a variety of specifics that we will discuss in greater detail below. The important thing to remember is that no matter what the policy limits may be, you will need to fight to get the money that you deserve from the policy. This should be done with the help of an experienced Uber accident attorney in Boca Raton who can help you build a comprehensive case for a settlement your rightfully deserve.
Find a Uber Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton Today
In the early days and weeks after an accident, trying to find an attorney who can take your case may feel like an additional step that is too overwhelming to take on, especially considering how simple it is to just file an insurance claim and go through the process. At the end of the claims process, you will be offered an initial settlement amount (in exchange for waiving your rights to any future legal action relating to this accident, regardless of new information or impacts arising), and can move forward with your life. This settlement is nowhere near what you deserve, which is why it is so important to find an attorney who can take your case.
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. Instead of worrying about how you will go about finding an attorney to take your case, we will take this step for you so that you can focus on your immediate needs like your medical issues, personal life, and family. The sooner you contact us, the sooner you will be able to partner with an attorney in your area and fight for the money that you deserve.
Read more below about Uber accidents in Boca Raton, and contact us now to be connected with an Uber accident lawyer for a free initial consultation as soon as possible.
Determining How To Seek Compensation After a Uber Accident in Boca Raton
Filing an insurance claim after an accident with an Uber driver can be complicated, for a variety of reasons – namely, that Uber drivers are not employees of Uber Technologies, Inc., and instead operate as independent contractors. This means that the type of coverage they have varies depending on context, starting with the fact that if a driver is not ACTIVELY using the Uber app, they are not an Uber driver.
The following is from the Uber website for drivers explaining their coverage:
COVERAGE STARTS THE INSTANT YOU TAP “GO” ON THE UBER APP TO WAIT FOR A RIDE REQUEST
From the time you’re online with Uber until you accept a trip, Uber maintains automobile liability coverage on your behalf in amounts of at least:
– $50,000 for the driver’s liability for bodily injury per person case of a covered accident
– $100,000 per covered accident
– $25,000 for property damage for which you are responsible for in a covered accident
This policy applies if your personal auto policy does not provide coverage or if your policy’s limits are less than these amounts. This policy may also include personal injury protection and/or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if it is required by law in the state in which you drive.
COVERAGE EN ROUTE TO PICKUP RIDER AND ON TRIP
During an Uber passenger trip you are insured for 3 things in case of a covered accident:
Third-party liability coverage
– Insures bodily injuries or damages you’ve caused to your riders, people in other -vehicles, pedestrians, or property.
– Coverage limits vary by state but are at least $1,000,000.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
– Insures you and your riders if an accident occurs on a passenger trip and another driver is at fault and doesn’t have sufficient insurance, as well as hit and runs
– Coverage limits vary by state
Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
– As long as you maintain comprehensive and collision coverage on your personal auto insurance, Uber’s insurance will kick in and provide physical damage coverage for your car up to its actual cash value, regardless of who is at fault. There is a $1,000 deductible that you must pay first before this coverage applies.
If you’re in an accident during this time, you don’t need to file a claim with your personal auto policy. You can submit a claim directly from the Uber app or by contacting support.
Which Policy Covers Your Accident?
If you were in an accident as a passenger, then you are automatically covered by the highest coverage limits. If you are in an accident with an Uber driver as a pedestrian, driver, or another context, then your coverage depends on how the driver was using the app, and should be determined by working with your attorney.
Calculating Damages After a Uber Accident in Boca Raton
The central issue for your insurance claim will be to determine the amount of money that you are owed after your accident. As with any personal injury claim, your insurance claim will seek to calculate your economic and non-economic damages in order to calculate the total amount of your settlement. Economic damages seek compensation for measurable financial issues like your medical bills and lost wages, and non-economic damages seek compensation for “abstract” damages like pain and suffering.
When you have an experienced attorney, they will be able to take you through this entire process and make sure that all impacts are addressed before going into negotiations. Once the insurance company makes an initial offer, your attorney will counter and will initiate a series of negotiations with the intention of reaching an out-of-court settlement. If an agreement is unable to be reached, the next step may be to file a lawsuit with the Florida courts.