Do you often use an Uber to get to and from different locations?
Rideshares companies like Uber provide excellent services. They help people get to different areas, much like a taxi, but they give them the flexibility to hire a driver from any given location. This is fantastic for both people who need rides to essential services, those who need a safe ride home after a fun night, and everyone in between.
But what happens when you get into an Uber accident? What should you do?
We’ll get into all of the steps below. Keep reading to learn more!
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Assess Your Safety
When you get into a car accident as a passenger in an Uber, your first order of business should be to make sure everyone is safe.
Start with yourself. Are you injured in any way? Can you move around, or are you prohibited from doing so? Do you need an ambulance?
After you’ve checked up on yourself, assess the condition of the driver and any other passengers. If you’re able, get out of the vehicle and ask after the people in the other car.
Should anyone be in immediate danger, call 911 now, before reading the rest of this article, and follow the directions of the operator.
After you’ve made sure no one is in the middle of a medical emergency, make sure you are in a safe location. This includes relocating any vehicles out of the way of traffic, minimizing the risk of additional damage.
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Contact Uber
Next, you need to contact Uber and let them know you were in an accident in an Uber with one of their drivers.
Uber uses commercial insurance coverage, and they are able to offer compensation up to one million dollars. The exact amount you get will depend on your case, so you should be certain to let Uber know as many details as possible.
Some people, when they get into a rideshare accident, are tempted to sue the company for damages. Yet, because Uber drivers are considered contractors with the company, they’re not liable under the law. Because of this, you can’t sue them for liability.
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Get Insurance Information
At the scene of the accident, you should collect insurance information from every driver involved in the accident. In the United States, all drivers are required to possess a form of auto insurance, so you can contact their insurance companies and let them know you were in an accident with their client.
The person on the other end of the line will get as many details from you as possible and open their own investigation into the case in order to determine fault. They might then offer you payment for any injuries you suffered.
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Get an Uber Accident Lawyer
While you can’t sue Uber, you can leverage a lawsuit against the driver of the vehicle you were in or the drivers of the other vehicles.
An attorney will help you make sure you get the greatest amount of money out of your interactions with their insurance companies. If the insurance company fails to give you a proper settlement, the lawyer will represent you in court and make sure you get an agreeable sum.
Want More Advice?
If you’ve been in an Uber accident (or any other ride share accident), you’ve probably wondered what to do.
Because the drivers drive for another company, it’s a bit more detailed than regular car accidents. Still, if you follow the steps above, you’ll be able to get the help you need.
Want more advice? Check out the rest of our website for more information!
