Overcoming the Challenges of Recovering Full Compensation After a Collision Involving an Uber Driver

Uber has become so common as a way to get around that the name of the rideshare company is even used as a verb to describe this popular method of transportation. When people in Raleigh head out for a night on the town, they rely on Uber drivers to get them to their destination safely.

But Uber drivers often lack the training and experience of other professional drivers, and they frequently make mistakes, including becoming distracted by passengers, app requests, GPS issues, music, and other factors. Mistakes can lead to serious injuries for Uber passengers and others in other vehicles.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving an Uber driver, there may be considerable resources available to cover your losses, but gaining access to those resources can be a challenge. A knowledgeable Raleigh Uber accident attorney at Martin & Jones can help you avoid the problems that often prevent recovery in rideshare accident cases and guide you efficiently toward achieving full compensation for the suffering you’ve experienced and amounts to provide for your future needs.

Assessing Liability for an Uber Accident

To obtain damages in any rideshare accident case, accident victims need to be able to demonstrate that someone did something irresponsible that caused the collision and their resulting injuries. This demonstration of responsibility establishes legal liability. The process becomes more difficult when the driver involved is under contract with Uber because professional corporate attorneys may become involved in the case.

Representatives from the rideshare company and their corporate insurance team spend all their time pursuing efforts to deny liability and minimize claims. To succeed against these professionals, you need to understand their approach from day one and know how to avoid the tactics they often use to defeat claims. The easiest way to stand up to these corporate interests is to secure representation from an experienced Raleigh Uber accident attorney who can handle questioning and procedural matters in a way that does not inadvertently weaken your claim. Your attorney can also help gather and preserve evidence to demonstrate liability and prove that the Uber driver was responsible for causing your injuries.

The Process of Pursuing Compensation After an Uber Accident

Uber provides insurance for drivers, so many Uber accident claims in Raleigh involve the insurance provided through the rideshare company. However, this insurance does not provide coverage in every accident situation, and the coverage amounts can vary.

Regardless of which insurance companies will be involved in the claim, your first steps after the accident should focus on protecting your health rather than worrying about insurance. Call 911 to get police on the scene, even if no one seems to be injured. The adrenaline in your system after a collision can mask injuries, and police can protect everyone at the scene from further injury. In addition, the police report provides valuable evidence when you file a claim for damages.

You will need to get a thorough medical exam, even if you are not taken to the hospital, and first responders suggest that you’re free to go. The EMTs on the scene lack the time, training, or equipment to check for many types of injuries. When you see a doctor, inform them that you were in a collision so they know to look for signs of trauma. Like the police report, records of your medical exam also serve as valuable evidence when you file a claim for the accident.

Your next steps may vary depending on the situation, but it is never too soon to call a Raleigh Uber accident attorney for advice, particularly before you talk to any insurance companies or a representative from Uber. You may be offered a settlement and told that you don’t need a lawyer, but the initial offer you receive is likely to be far less than what you should receive, so it is important to understand the value of your claim.

FAQs About Raleigh Uber Accidents

How is an Uber accident case different from a standard car accident case in Raleigh?

Uber accidents are more complex than most other car accident cases because of the rideshare company’s added legal involvement. In most cases, you cannot file a lawsuit directly against Uber because drivers are independent contractors rather than employees, but in some instances, Uber can be held liable. Even when they are not directly liable, the rideshare company is indirectly involved in many claims through the insurance coverage it provides.

How does the Uber driver’s “status” (e.g., app off, waiting for a ride, on a trip) affect my claim?

The insurance coverage provided through Uber differs depending on the driver’s status. Most of the time, recovery in an accident case is paid through the insurance company, so insurance coverage is critical.

When a driver is carrying passengers or driving to pick up passengers, Uber generally provides $1 million insurance coverage for injury claims. If a driver is involved in an accident while waiting for a ride offer, insurance may provide coverage, but the available limit will be much lower. In Raleigh, coverage is limited to $100,000 per total accident or $50,000 per injured person. When Uber drivers are involved in an accident while the app is off or they are otherwise not engaged with the rideshare company, Uber’s insurance policies do not provide coverage, and the driver’s personal policy would apply.

What types of damages can I recover after an Uber accident?

When you’ve been injured in a collision involving an Uber driver, you may be eligible to receive damages to cover both your economic and non-economic losses. Your economic losses would include costs that can be calculated monetarily, such as medical expenses and wages lost due to time off work. Non-economic losses often have a huge impact on your life, but they don’t have a calculable monetary value. These losses include pain, suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of enjoyment.

How is the value of my Uber accident case determined?

A Raleigh Uber accident attorney will review all the factors involved in your case, economic losses and intangible losses, and calculate a value for each. This includes not only losses you have already endured but also the future impacts and needs caused by your physical and mental injuries.

The value of the non-economic harm you have suffered must be calculated artificially because no one can put a true price on the health and opportunities that are denied when you’re injured. These values are generally based on legal precedent, and they are usually much greater than the value for economic losses.

Martin & Jones Fights for Maximum Compensation After Uber Accidents in Raleigh

Although the insurance available through Uber can provide more resources for recovery after an accident, insurance company representatives will fight very hard to keep you from receiving what you should. For a full recovery, it is wise to work with a Raleigh Uber accident attorney who understands how insurance companies and rideshare services operate and how to counteract their tactics.

At Martin & Jones, we know how to succeed in challenging circumstances, and insurance companies know we always prepare our cases to win in court if necessary. To find out what may be recoverable in your case, we invite you to call us at 800-662-1234 or contact us online now for a free consultation.