Rideshare accidents are inherently much more complex to resolve than typical passenger vehicle collisions. Knowing what happens if you’re in an Uber accident can offer peace of mind to those who use Uber. In this article we will cover Uber accident liability, and what you should do if you are involved in an Uber accident.
Uber Accident Liability
Much like car accidents that involve rental cars, multiple insurance policies may come into play when an Uber accident occurs. However, because Uber identifies its drivers as independent contractors that are driving their own vehicles, insurance works much differently than it would for a standard taxi service. Uber also has a variety of specifics that must be met for certain amounts of coverage to trigger.
When Does Uber’s Insurance Coverage Apply
According to its insurance policies, Uber insures its drivers when:
- A driver has their Uber app set to “Available” and is awaiting a ride request
- A driver is en route to pick up a passenger
- A driver has a rideshare passenger in their vehicle
Uber will not cover a driver when their Uber app is off and/or the driver is offline. In these instances, the driver’s insurance will be the only coverage available.
Uber’s insurance coverage also kicks in when one of its drivers’ insurance policies does not apply. Coverage can vary based on whether or not the Uber driver was awaiting a request or en route to a passenger.
Uber’s Insurance Limits
When an Uber driver is awaiting a rideshare request and causes an accident, Uber’s insurance may cover up to:
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
The above coverage only applies in cases where the Uber driver did not have a passenger in the car at the time of their collision. Meaning, that Uber’s insurance coverage would generally apply to pedestrians or those in other vehicles involved in the accident.
In cases where an Uber driver does have a passenger in the vehicle and causes an accident, Uber’s insurance coverage includes:
- $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage
- Underinsured/uninsured bodily injury liability coverage
- Comprehensive and collision coverage
Pittsburgh drivers need to remember that Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. This means that after a car accident, the driver’s own car insurance coverage will pay for medical treatment and any other out-of-pocket losses incurred by anyone covered under the policy regardless of who caused the wreck. However, drivers can step outside of the no-fault system and file a third-party insurance claim or a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if the car accident injuries sustained meet certain thresholds set by Pennsylvania state law.
What to Do After an Uber Accident
Uber accidents, like any crash, can be jarring to go through which is why it is important to know exactly what to do after a car accident.
Contact the Police
The first thing to do after an Uber accident is to determine whether anyone is injured, and call 911. Even in incidents where it appears the Uber accident is minor, filing a police report can help when dealing with all the insurance companies and parties involved.
Collect Information
Following this, it’s important to get as much contact information as possible from all of the involved parties; this includes:
- the Uber driver’s name,
- the names of the passengers in all vehicles,
- license plate numbers,
- insurance information,
- the location of the accident,
- contact information for any witnesses, and
- the makes and models of all vehicles involved.
File a Report with Uber
Lastly, it’s important to file a report with Uber itself. The rideshare platform’s website offers a crash reporting form, that must be filed to report an accident claim with the company.
After a car accident happens, victims can be taken advantage of in their time of need, especially in collisions that involve third-party companies like Uber. Despite these services boasting a variety of insurance coverage options, they will still attempt to get out of paying a claim or seek to pay as little as possible.
Not only that, but personal insurance companies rarely cover accidents involving drivers that occurred during a commercial transaction, such as rideshare. In these and other cases involving an Uber accident, it’s important that victims contact a Pittsburgh car accident attorney.
At SMT Legal, we will give your case the best possible chance of winning – either through a settlement or, if appropriate, through litigation and court proceedings. If you were seriously injured in an Uber accident, you will need an experienced and aggressive personal injury lawyer on your side to fight for the maximum possible compensation you deserve. Contact our office today and schedule a free consultation to find out your legal options.