Uber, a ride-hailing app, has continued to gain momentum over the past few years. Uber's popularity could arise from the convenience and affordable rates users get from using the app. As the popularity of Uber increases, so do its vehicles on the road.
Drivers of these cars are fallible, just like the rest of us. You might find your situation where you are in an accident with one of them. An Uber accident lawyer would advise you not to panic, as there are legal means to recover damages for the party who caused the accident. What should you know about Uber collisions? Find out below.
File for Claim with the At-fault Party's Insurance
After the accident, you must file a claim with the at-fault party's insurance claim. Insurance companies will need you to provide evidence to support your claim. Medical records and receipts from treatment costs are some pieces of evidence you can present. An Uber accident lawyer can help you collect and present evidence supporting your claim if you're uncomfortable doing it yourself.
Be Mindful of Time
Uber collision cases have a statute of limitation of two years from when you sustained injuries. The at-fault party will not be liable to compensate you if you file for a claim two years from the time of the collision. Two years sounds like a lot of time. But remember, you can't predict the extent of your injuries. What if you spend a significant amount of this time recovering in a hospital?
Also, it takes time to collect robust evidence to support your case. That's why you need to kick-start the process of filing claims as soon as possible. If you aren't in the capacity to do so, seek professional assistance from an Uber accident lawyer.
Who Pays Your Compensation?
This will depend on the status of the Uber driver when the accident happens. An Uber driver can be on or off the clock at any time. The former means the Uber driver sets the app to accept ride requests from passengers.
Uber's insurance company will compensate you if you collide with their driver while their status is on. The insurance package consists of a million dollars each for liability and property damage. The insurance covers collision victims in the Uber and the other car involved in the accident. This will only apply if an Uber driver has a passenger/client in the vehicle during the collision.
Collisions Between Fares
Sometimes, you'll need to recover compensation from the Uber driver's insurance. This will be the case mostly when the accident happens between fares. Between fares means the uber driver's app was on, but they did not have a passenger in their car. Uber has minimum insurance coverage that drivers must have before using Uber's services.
Uber might step in if the driver's insurance is not enough to cover your injuries. They have a contingency insurance policy for such situations. An Uber driver will assume full responsibility for compensating you if their app status was off at the time of the accident.
What Happens if the Driver is Innocent?
Up to now, the assumption of guilt was on the Uber driver. But it's possible to get into an accident while hailing an Uber, and your driver is entirely innocent. Does this imply the end of the road for you when it comes to recovering damages? The answer is no. The other driver should have insurance coverage covering both you and your driver's injuries-file for claims with the other driver's insurance company.
Parting Thoughts
The probability of a collision while using or with an Uber is high. The popularity of Uber's services has increased the number of cabs on the road and the number of accidents these cars cause. If you are in a collision with Uber, get to know the status of the Uber driver before filing for claims. You will learn the right insurance company to seek compensation from.
