Every time if you get into the back seat of an Uber, you have every right to expect that the parent company Uber Technology, Inc. has taken all of the appropriate measures to maximize rider safety. Drivers must maintain an exceptional safety record while using the platform to drive with, after passing rigorous background checks and vehicle inspections. However, there are no steps that Uber could take that would be able to guarantee your safety, so it is important that you know what you should do if you are ever in an Uber accident – either as a passenger or as another driver.
Uber drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees, so there is a range of complications when it comes to filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit. Since the driver is simply using the Uber app to find an individual who needs a ride in their private car, as opposed to a taxi driver who is operating a commercial vehicle and is typically an employee of a company, the driver has limited insurance protections provided by Uber.
Find a Uber Accident Lawyer in Sarasota Today
Trying to get a fair settlement from an insurance company is a notoriously difficult process, whether you are suffering from serious injuries or not. The claims process is designed to identify every possible factor that the insurance company could use to reduce the amount of money a claimant is entitled and relies heavily on technicalities, as well as the stress that a victim is struggling with while they watch their expenses mount and their income decline. Instead of trying to go through this process alone, partner with an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Sarasota to help you get the money you rightfully deserve.
In the days and weeks after an accident, the thought of trying to find an attorney on your own can feel overwhelming, especially when there are so many other things that are not optional. This is what leads many people to go through the process alone, and ultimately either accept a settlement that is far less than what they deserve or realize too late that they need an attorney, costing both time and money after making innocent mistakes that seriously impact their claims. Instead of trying to find a lawyer yourself, let us do it for you.
Contact us now to be connected with a lawyer who is available to take your case, and read more below about Uber accidents in Sarasota.
Who Pays For an Uber Accident?
Uber has two tiers of insurance that a driver is covered by depending on how they are using the app.
When a driver first logs into the app and presses “GO,” they will then be able to look for an available fare that has requested a ride. During this time of waiting for a ride, the driver is covered by a limited insurance policy that kicks in only after the driver has exhausted their personal insurance. This policy is most common after accidents with other drivers since there is no passenger in the car to be injured. If you are in an accident with an Uber driver who is actively using the app but does not have a passenger, it means that you will file against their personal insurance policy, and if your damages exceed their policy limits then you will seek additional payments from the Uber policy.
When an Uber driver accepts a fare and is either driving to pick them up or has them in the vehicle, they are covered by the extensive insurance policy that Uber puts into place at this time. The driver’s personal insurance is overridden by this policy, meaning that you—either as a passenger or the other driver—will not need to file a claim with two different policies. However, filing a claim with this insurance policy means that you will be facing an insurance company that assumes a significant amount of liability for countless Uber drivers, meaning that they are extremely motivated to pay as little as possible for a claim. Your case will be no different, so it is important that you partner with a lawyer who can help you fight for what you deserve.
Calculating Damages After a Uber Accident in Sarasota
Personal injury cases center on calculating the amount of money that a victim deserves in payment for the responsible driver’s negligence or recklessness. Some damages are extremely clear, such as your hospital bills or lost wages. Other damages are more difficult to calculate, and therefore will require extensive negotiation in order to receive even though you are 100 percent entitled to them. These negotiations should be left to a professional while you are staying at home focusing on your recovery, so hiring an attorney is a very good idea. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that matches Uber accident victims with personal injury lawyers in their area. Call today and be connected to an attorney to discuss your case with.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are for the impacts that have clear dollar values associated with them, such as your medical bills, reductions to your earnings, and anything else that comes with a receipt, invoice, earnings statement, or bill. In addition to the major economic damages mentioned before, you may also be able to seek compensation for services that you had to hire, such as grocery shopping, house cleaning, and other tasks that you would have performed on your own had you not been injured in the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate, but by no means are they less important. They seek compensation for things like the pain and suffering that you have dealt with following your accident, as well as any psychological and emotional impacts that you have endured. As you can imagine, it is much easier for an insurance representative to push back on paying for “pain” than it is to push back on paying for an itemized hospital bill, but your attorney has experience with these negotiations and will fight for your rights.