Rideshare services like Uber have dominated the classic taxi in the public transportation market. But Uber drivers are contracted workers, not professionals, so it’s no surprise that there has been an increased number of car accidents as a result. But please don’t forget, ridesharing services are not without risks. Whether you are an Uber driver or a passenger in an Uber, this is everything you need to know when you find yourself in a Uber car accident regardless if you are living in Florida or visiting from out of state.
What Happens When You Are Involved in an Uber Car Accident?
It can be a confusing process if you are a rider in an Uber and are involved in a car accident. As an Uber passenger, you are not considered ‘at fault’ even if your driver is listed as ‘at fault’ on the police report! This is key information for you when thinking about hiring a rideshare car accident lawyer. If you are injured in an Uber car accident, Uber does have an accident policy that covers all passengers in the car at the time of the accident.
There are two things that can happen though:
- If the Uber driver caused the accident, then you would be able to go after the Uber accident policy.
- If another driver is at fault for causing the car accident, then your rideshare lawyer would sue the insurance of the at fault driver.
When you are a driver for Uber and you are involved in a car accident, there are a few things that have to take place in order for you to receive compensation. Every Uber driver must have their own auto insurance policy in order to drive for the company, but Uber does provide their drivers with an accident policy1 which varies depending on the status of the driver.
If the driver is waiting for a rider to request a ride on the app and gets hit by another driver, they are covered up to $50,000 in liability damages. If the driver is in route to pick up a rider or has a rider in their vehicle, the policy coverage goes up to $1,000,000 which also extends to the rideshare passenger(s).
Florida is known as a no-fault state. This means that certain types of insurance coverage is required. For example, Florida drivers have their own insurance to cover their own damages and injuries, this is called personal injury protection or PIP for short. No-fault means that no matter who caused the car accident, even injuries caused by a rideshare accident, everyone is required to file a claim with their own insurance company for their injuries and damages2.
In the United States, Florida is one of 12 no-fault states and each state has their own minimum coverage required. Florida’s minimum is $10,000 for bodily injury per person, $20,000 for bodily per accident, and $10,000 for property damage. But what happens if your PIP insurance isn’t enough coverage to pay for all the injuries you suffer in a rideshare accident? What if you weren’t found at fault for this Uber car accident? This is when our rideshare accident lawyers can help you! We can go after all the available policies to get you the compensation needed to pay for your medical bills.
What Should You Know as a Passenger in an Uber Car Accident
Uber passengers are never considered as at fault in any car accident involved. As mentioned above, if your driver is at fault you are covered by the Uber accident policy and if another driver is at fault, you would be going after their insurance (depending on certain circumstances). Sustaining injuries is always a possibility with any car accident.
Getting rear ended in a car accident almost always leads to the passengers in the backseat more injured then the driver and person sitting beside them. Whiplash is the most common injury that takes place in rear ended car accidents and Uber car accidents are no exception. Whiplash occurs when your body moves suddenly forward and you jerk back when your seatbelt catches you. Whiplash can cause muscle, ligament and tendon injuries that take time to heal and are painful.
If you are a passenger in an automobile accident you should ALWAYS seek medical attention. Especially if you are an Uber passenger, seeking medical attention can be the most important evidence in your case.The options you have for compensation for your injuries vary depending on the situation as an Uber passenger involved in a rideshare accident. It might be a better option to contact a rideshare car accident attorney to help you assess those options. If your driver got hit by a driver who doesn’t have coverage then Uber’s policy could provide compensation. Finding out this information would be something your rideshare car accident lawyer would be able to do for you.
It can be difficult getting all of the compensation needed to treat your injuries, and the added stress of talking to different insurance companies is not the best! The goal of a rideshare car accident attorney is to talk to all of the insurance companies on your behalf while you focus on getting better.
What You Should Know as a Driver for Uber Involved in a Car Accident
So you might have a couple questions if you are a driver for Uber and are involved in an automobile accident. The first being, “is this car accident considered to be worker’s compensation too?” Unfortunately, since Uber hires their drivers as independent contractors they are not able to qualify for worker’s compensation. An independent contractor is someone who controls their own schedules and chooses their own customers.
There is a possibility, as an Uber driver, to be misclassified by Uber and be eligible for worker’s compensation, a rideshare car accident attorney would be able to dig into this information for you!
But do not worry, you still can be covered in a car accident and receive proper compensation for your damages and injuries sustained. As mentioned above, the amount of coverage for Uber drivers varies depending on if they are waiting for a customer or if they have a passenger in their vehicle at the time of the car accident.
When involved in a car accident as a driver, it is super important to gather the details from all parties involved. If you have passengers and were involved in an automobile accident during the ride, make sure to ask them if they are injured and need an ambulance. If you are alone and experience injuries from being hit by another driver, seek medical attention and treat your injuries. Make sure to document the damages done to your car by the other driver as well, this will help build your case and ensure that you get the proper compensation.
Whether you are an Uber driver or a passenger in an Uber during a car accident, you need a skilled rideshare car accident lawyer to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Just like insurance companies, Uber may be unwilling to pay out the full amount needed to treat your injuries and repair your property damage. You can feel confident and focus on getting better with the proper evidence and with one of our rideshare car accident lawyers on your side! Speak with a West Palm Beach rideshare lawyer, Fort Lauderdale rideshare lawyer or a Miami rideshare lawyer today!
Sources:
About the Author
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.