Millions of people use Uber nowadays. It guarantees cheaper and cleaner rides than traditional taxis. However, despite their good reputation, Uber drivers can cause an accident and cause injuries whether you are a pedestrian, passenger, or a fellow motorist.
In this situation, you need to know what you should do, learn about their insurance policy, and how to seek compensation for your injuries. It’s much easier to handle all these with the help of our professional LaGrange rideshare accident lawyer. Continue reading to learn more.
What You Should do If You’re Involved in an Uber Accident
Whether you’re a motorist, pedestrian, or passenger, you should know what to do once you’re involved in an Uber accident. Here are the steps you should consider to increase your chances of fair compensation and guarantee your safety:
Report the Accident to the Police
Unless you’re greatly injured, your first step should be reporting the accident to the police. Don’t wait until the Uber driver reports the accident to the police. Calling the police yourself, ensures no indisputable records about the accident.
Notify Uber
Apart from contacting the police, you should notify Uber about the accident. Uber has a $1million accident insurance policy that you can claim as a passenger. However, if there’s no record of the accident or if you don’t notify them promptly, you might face challenges while filing your compensation claim.
Document the Accident and Collect the Necessary Evidence
The police usually collect evidence and information related to an accident. You can boost your compensation claim by providing your evidence. Collect evidence such as:
- Eye witnesses’ names and contact information
- Pictures of the injuries you’ve sustained
- Photos and a video of the scene of the accident
Exchange Your Information with the Other Driver
Uber drivers are the main defendants in an Uber accident compensation claim. Ensure that you get their name, address, rideshare information, and personal information.
Get a Medical Checkup
You must seek medical attention immediately, whether you’re injured or not. Some injuries are unnoticeable immediately after an accident due to the adrenaline rush in your system, but once it subsides, your injuries will become apparent. Seeking immediate medical attention will help you deal with them before they worsen.
Talk to a LaGrange Uber Accident Lawyer
Seeking compensation from Uber is one of the most complicated personal injury cases. Talking to our Uber accident lawyers in LaGrange can help you make the right decisions right from the start until you’re fairly compensated.
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Insurance Policy Limits in an Uber Insurance Claim
If you’re involved in an Uber accident, the driver responsible for the action is deemed at fault for your injuries. Uber’s insurance might cover your injuries depending on the Uber driver’s status during the accident. Uber’s insurance policy limit depends on whether the driver was offline or in periods one, two, or three.
If you’re involved in an Uber accident when the driver is completely offline and not logged into the app, you will have to seek compensation from the driver’s insurance. Uber only guarantees compensation for accidents when their driver is logged into their app.
- Period 1 refers to when an Uber driver is logged into the app but is yet to accept a ride. You can recover up to $200,000 if your Uber accident falls in this category.
- Period 2 refers to when an Uber driver accepts a trip, while Period 3 refers to when an Uber driver picks up a passenger. In both periods 2 and 3, you can recover up to $1 million under commercial auto insurance, uninsured, or underinsured coverage.
Even though these policy limits seem generous, Uber is known for denying liability and shortchanging accident victims. That’s why it’s crucial to seek the help of a LaGrange Uber accident attorney right away.
How to File a Compensation Claim After an Uber Accident
Filing a compensation claim for injuries sustained in an Uber accident is similar to any accident lawsuit. However, you might face several challenges, especially if you’re suing the company rather than their driver. All the same, here are steps to consider during your compensation claim:
Gather Evidence About the Accident
You cannot start your compensation claim unless there’s relevant evidence about the Uber accident. You need to gather evidence such as:
- Videos and pictures of the scene of the accident
- Pictures of the injuries sustained in the accident
- Police report
- Medical evidence for treatment and medication related to the accident
- Eye witnesses’ names and contact information
Identify Who’s to Blame
Uber drivers are not outrightly at fault for all accidents associated with their vehicles. That’s why you should identify exactly who’s to blame for the accident before you file your compensation claim. An Uber driver can be liable for the accident if you can prove the following:
- They were driving while under the influence
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
Please note, if you’re a driver, you might share liability with the Uber driver depending on the nature of your accident. In that case, you will be sharing liability according to the extent of participation in causing the accident.
Determine and Calculate Your Recoverable Damages
You are entitled to compensatory damages for the injuries sustained in an Uber accident. You can also seek punitive damages if the driver intentionally caused the accident or exhibited extreme recklessness. Some of the damages you can recover are as follows:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Settle the Claim or Go to Court
Once you’ve decided how much you should be compensated, it’s time to negotiate a settlement with the driver’s or Uber’s insurance company. You should only consider taking your case to court when you don’t agree to a settlement with the insurance company.
File Your Claim Before Time Runs Out
Filing a compensation claim against Uber is not as easy as it sounds. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing your Uber accident case is two years, according to Georgia’s legal code §9-3-33. Therefore, there’s no better way to beat this timeline than involving a professional Uber accident lawyer.
Find the Best Uber Accident Attorney in LaGrange Today
Our LaGrange Uber accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates is ready to help you with your Uber accident claim. We hold a reputation for offering the best legal services to all accident claims, even those more difficult to navigate like this one.
With more than 20 years of experience, we got what it takes to help you get enough compensation. Contact us today and schedule a free non-obligatory consultation.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form