As the ridesharing industry grows, more and more people take advantage of the ability to travel with Uber or other similar companies. That’s not unexpected, given that choosing this transportation method is affordable and on time.
However, a growing industry that involves vehicles, unfortunately, means an increased number of accidents. Accidents can happen as a result of several factors. In those cases, you, as a customer, have the right to get a settlement for injury or trauma caused by an accident with an uber accident lawyer.
Since these specific accidents are a recent development, the situation requires an attorney specializing in this complex area. If you or a loved one witnessed a collision, you need to contact an Uber accident lawyer, a professional that may help you get the settlement that belongs to you.
In this article, we’re going to talk about this rather unpleasant topic regarding Uber accidents and Uber accident lawyer. We’ll check some of the accident factors and car crash attorneys, as well as how you should act if such a situation occurs.
Quick Facts About Uber And Causes Of Uber Accidents
Uber accidents differ from common collisions between regular vehicles. The main difference is that a transportation company is involved, and thus, taking the settlement for an injury as well as the amount you can get is bigger.
However, when it comes to the factors that led to a crash, all accidents are the same. Even though the cars are driven by professional drivers, there are factors that can’t be controlled, such as driving in bad weather or crashing with another vehicle that was driven recklessly.
Additionally, some Uber accidents are caused by the Uber drivers themselves, generally unintentionally, as a result of driving at high speed or recklessness.
Groups That May Get Compensation
As we said previously, car accidents can be caused by multiple factors. After the collision happens, the involved call the police and seek medical assistance.
If you belong to one of the categories mentioned below, you may get a significant compensation:
- Motorists and passengers injured in a Uber accident where the Uber driver was at fault
- Uber drivers injured in collisions where other motorists were at fault
- Injured Uber passengers, regardless of which person was at fault
Where Uber Accidents Differ From the Other Types
We mentioned above that the number of Uber accidents increases as the industry grows. If you’re using Uber or are interested in seeking a job as an Uber driver, you should get familiar with the differences between these collisions and other types of crashes, as the situation after the crash is different, and it’s very important for the involved to know how to handle it.
Since Uber is a common carrier, the insurance requirements differ from those requested from other standard motor vehicles. If you get hurt as a result of an Uber driver’s negligence, you should know that you have the right to be compensated for your injuries.
You should also remember that Uber drivers must have the resources to compensate an injured person in order to be compliant with the law. Of course, you can discuss your rights with your Uber accident lawyer as well as the process that will take place.
Damage
If you have been injured in an Uber accident, you have the right to claim economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages generally refer to reimbursing the costs of medical bills and missed time from work. Of course, the economic damages can also apply to other reimbursements.
Non-economic damage is a term that generally applies to the pain, suffering, discomfort, and inconvenience caused as a result of the Uber accident.
After the accident, there’s a process called evaluation of damages done on a case-by-case basis that aims to determine the nature and the amount of damage. The same evaluation determines the type of injuries, the type of treatments, and other individual factors.
Are Uber Drivers Covered By Insurance?
Uber drivers comply with insurance laws and rules of the road as any other motor vehicle. Therefore, the drivers must have automobile liability insurance in case there’s an injured person that has to be compensated.
The life insurance companies have a strict protocol that includes a detailed interview of all people involved in the accident. Usually, the companies request a scene reconstruction and ask questions to find out how the crash occurred, where the car was positioned, what happened before the accident, and other similar questions.
At this point, it’s very important to mention that you should be really careful when speaking with the insurance company. You should keep in mind that the insurance company is going to make an investigation to determine whether it will be financially responsible. Even if the investigation shows that the company has to pay for property or personal injuries, the company will still try to lower the requested amount. Therefore, during the investigation, the company may be biased.
If the insurance company of the at-fault party sees an opportunity to pay less to the injured party, the company will seize the opportunity. This is why it’s crucial to consult and hire an Uber accident attorney.
What Happens If You Are in An Accident With Uber?
We are aware that there’s no strict protocol that can apply to every collision between motor vehicles. However, there are several steps you should follow after the collision that may be beneficial for you later when you file a claim.
Medical help
Regardless of the circumstances, you should always seek medical help. If you’re still mobile after the crash, carefully check your body for injuries. In these situations, the body fills with adrenaline, and it’s normal not to feel pain.
Further, it’s also important to evaluate whether it’s safe to get out of the car or not. If you’re not sure whether you can get out on your own, you should wait for help.
Once you make sure you’re okay and able to move, you should check the other people involved in the crash. Assist the injured and make sure that you call the police and paramedic to the scene.
Report the accident
As we said above, the first thing to do is make sure everyone is okay. If you have such an option, you should report the accident immediately. Call the police, as the policemen will make a report that you’ll need later.
Document the accident
We recommend documenting the accident as one of the most important steps after the collision. If you have a chance, take pictures of all the vehicles included in the crash. We also recommend writing down the story, as it’s normal for the memory to distort after the adrenaline and the fear hit.
Furthermore, as we cited earlier, the insurance company will interview the people that were present at the scene. Therefore, it can be beneficial for you to take down the names of the other people included in the accident, injured people, and witnesses. Try to take their contact information if you can. You should also take the other driver’s insurance details.
Pay attention to the settlement offers
In such events, the at-fault party may approach you and give you a settlement offer. Of course, being a witness to a car crash can be emotional and stressful, let alone being a part of it. Therefore, the other party may try to take advantage of your confusion and situation.
That’s why we recommend you be cautious of the other party’s offers. Moreover, we suggest you refuse the offers immediately if you are injured, since accepting it will settle the deal, and it would be almost impossible to change it later.
Contact The Experienced Uber Accident Attorneys
Before signing out any deals, offers, or settlements, we highly recommend you contact and hire an Uber accident lawyer. You should keep in mind that not every car accident lawyer has the experience to lead a case where Uber is involved because, as we said, Uber drivers have to comply with slightly different laws.
Conclusion – Uber Accident Attorney
Even though the circumstances can differ, Uber accidents are generally caused by the Uber driver or the other car’s driver. Therefore, the passengers are not at fault except under the most extreme circumstances where they are directly involved in the car crash. As a passenger using an Uber, you have the right to seek settlement if you were in an Uber accident.
Although each motor vehicle collision differs from another, you should be familiar with the steps you’ll have to take if you ever find yourself in that particular situation. You should stay focused and try not to panic, as there may be people who need your help.
We highly recommend contacting an Uber accident lawyer so that the at-fault party pays for the damage it caused you. After taking care of yourself and checking your body for injuries, you should take legal action immediately. Your lawyer will lead your case and advise you on the steps you’ll have to take, including filing a personal injury claim and talking with the best insurance company.
