The Barnes Firm

Steps to Take After Being Involved in an Uber Accident in Los Angeles

• February 20, 2019
• Sandy

Since 2009, millions of Americans have joined in on the phenomenon of ride sharing with Uber.

The low-cost and convenience of Uber makes it one of the most popular ways to get around, especially in a large city such as Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, stepping into an Uber can come with risk.

Continue reading to learn more about the steps you should take if you are injured in a car accident as a passenger in an Uber.

Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention

A car accident can be a traumatic experience for anyone, even if you did not suffer major injuries.

As, with any accident, it’s important to first call 911 and receive medical attention for any injury that may have resulted from the crash.

You should consider seeking legal compensation for any injury you received as a result from the accident.

Uber’s Insurance Policy

Anyone who is driving for Uber must have their own personal car insurance policy; however, the company also provides their drivers with various types of insurance policies.  When an Uber driver has the app turned on, they are covered for up to $50,000 in liability damage.  From the time you enter the Uber to the time you reach your destination, the insurance policy of the Uber driver covers up to $1 million and extends to cover you as a passenger.

Personal car insurance coverage does not honor a claim that occurred during paid or commercial driving.  Therefore, Uber provides their drivers with this additional policy.

Naturally, there’s a catch.  The coverage Uber provides only kicks in if your Uber driver or the other driver involved in the accident is at fault and has insufficient bodily injury coverage on their own personal insurance policy.  So, the up to $1 million coverage only applies to certain scenarios that are strictly outlined in Uber’s insurance policy.

Filing A Claim

If you are in an accident while riding as a passenger in an Uber, you will receive compensation for any injuries resulting from the accident.  When another driver is at fault, you can file a claim with their insurance company.  If your Uber driver was the one at fault in the accident, you can pursue compensation from the driver or from Uber itself.  For the most part, a passenger is protected whether it was the Uber driver or another driver at fault for the accident.

Always remember to take pictures or videos of the accident and document any injuries you received.  These will be helpful when you submit your claim.

Suing for Damages

Because Uber drivers are independent contractors and not employees of Uber, the company can deny liability.  However, as a passenger, you can file a lawsuit targeting the driver at fault.  It is often likely the driver at fault will not be able to cover your medical bill expenses, which is why Uber has an insurance policy in place.

However, it’s important to remember that just because Uber has a $1 million insurance policy in place to cover passengers’ injuries, does not guarantee the passenger will receive the maximum amount of compensation under the law if they decide to negotiate their claim with Uber’s insurance company.  (should we add an “and/or decide to take court action”?

Contacting an Experienced Lawyer

If you are considering legal action for your injuries after being involved in an Uber accident, it is always best to hire an experienced attorney.

An experienced car accident attorney can help you get compensation for things like:

• Medical bills
• lost wages
• pain and suffering
• transportation costs
• rehabilitation
• and more.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident, contact the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm for a FREE consultation of your case.