When you request a ride from an Uber, you hope to get to your destination quickly and without incident. Unfortunately, some Uber passengers get more than they bargained for and can find themselves in an Uber accident instead. If you sustain an injury in an accident as an Uber passenger, the law may entitle you to seek compensation from the party responsible.
Is Uber Liable for the Actions of Its Drivers?
Uber makes it clear to its rideshare drivers that they are by no means employees of the company. By establishing that the rideshare drivers using their application are independent contractors, Uber attempts to shield itself from cases of potential vicarious liability. Typically, through the doctrine of vicarious liability, an employer becomes liable for the negligent actions of their employee while they are engaged in work activities.
A rideshare passenger can file an insurance claim with Uber coverage when an accident occurs in one of these two scenarios:
- The Uber driver has the application turned on and is waiting for a ride request to be submitted to them.
- The Uber driver is on their way to pick up a passenger requesting a ride or has already picked up the passenger and is en route to drop them off at their stop.
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What If Another Driver Caused the Accident and the Uber Driver Is Not at Fault?
While Uber rideshare drivers can cause accidents due to their negligence, it may not always be their fault. Sometimes, an Uber driver becomes involved in an accident through no fault of their own and can also become a victim of another driver’s negligence. Even when the Uber driver is not the party primarily at fault, a rideshare passenger may still be eligible for compensation under the Uber insurance policy if the accident occurred in one of the two scenarios mentioned above.
Additionally, any victim of a rideshare accident where another driver is responsible will also be able to file an insurance claim against that driver’s own personal insurance. In these instances, Uber coverage becomes secondary insurance to cover any remaining losses that are not satisfied with the insurer of the at-fault party.
The Challenges of Collecting Compensation as the Victim of an Uber Accident
Uber accidents can cause many challenges for a passenger who suffers injuries and subsequent losses from a crash. Having to deal with a large corporation such as Uber to negotiate sufficient insurance coverage for your losses and managing other parties to the accident can be overwhelming and near impossible to succeed without the assistance of a Loganville Uber accident lawyer. Although the coverage offered under the Uber insurance policy can be significant, proving that you are entitled to that money is another story.
When you are a victim of an Uber accident, you must prove that the Uber driver or another driver’s negligence was the cause of your injuries and losses and you must then prove each loss and its value. This is a tedious process where insurers will rarely agree with a plaintiff’s perspective and will either look for a chance to deny the claim or will offer you much less money than what you may be eligible for under the law.
Is It Worth It to Get an Uber Accident Lawyer in Loganville?
One of the best strategies to compete against the tactics of an insurance company as a victim is to hire an Uber accident attorney to represent you. A lawyer with experience handling Uber accident cases knows the ways an insurer will manipulate a case and try to devalue the worth of your damages. They will represent your interests, challenge the insurers, and fight for your losses to get you the best resolution possible.
The Cost of Hiring a Loganville Uber Accident Attorney
If you are worried that you cannot afford an Uber accident attorney to represent you after an accident, Uber accident attorneys in Loganville will offer first-time evaluations for a client for free. A free evaluation provides you with an opportunity to discuss the Uber crash, your injuries and ask an attorney how they may be able to help you. Furthermore, Uber accident lawyers work on contingency.
By working on a contingency basis, a client will not need to worry about making any upfront payment for their legal representation. The client will only pay for the lawyer’s services if they end up getting compensation for their losses. In the unlikely event that a lawyer is not able to help you get any compensation in your case, you will not be responsible for the payment of their legal services.
Does the Statute of Limitations Apply to a Crash Involving Uber?
An Uber accident qualifies as a personal injury just the same as any other accident. As such, the victim of an Uber crash must abide by the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Loganville. A plaintiff for an Uber accident has two years from the date the crash occurred to begin a lawsuit in court for a claim to be considered valid under the laws of Georgia.
If You Are in an Uber Accident, Contact a Loganville Injury Attorney
As a victim of an Uber accident, you have the right to representation in your case to help you seek compensation through an insurance claim or possibly a lawsuit if it should become necessary, Contact an Uber accident lawyer in Loganville for a free consultation appointment to discuss your case.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form