What to Do if Your Uber Crashes

Although Uber and other rideshare services have become one of the most common modes of transportation, most people taking these rides still have no idea what to do if your Uber crashes. Unlike traditional car accidents, Uber crashes involve multiple layers of insurance coverage, complex liability questions, and corporate interests that can complicate your path to fair compensation.

If you find yourself involved in an Uber crash, whether as a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver, knowing the proper steps to take immediately following the accident can mean the difference between the compensation you deserve and being left out in the cold.

Contact an experienced Houston Uber accident lawyer before speaking with insurance adjusters. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly for less than victims deserve, and anything you say can be used to minimize your claim.

Keep reading about your playbook after an Uber crash, or call Jose Calderon of Calderon Law Firm today at (346) 999-5673 to get the help you deserve. 

What happens if your Uber crashes?

When an Uber is involved in an accident, the immediate aftermath can be particularly chaotic and disorienting. The scene of an Uber crash typically involves more parties than a standard car accident. You'll have the Uber driver, potentially other drivers involved, witnesses, police officers, and eventually insurance representatives from multiple companies.

Unlike regular car accidents, where you typically deal with two insurance companies, Uber crashes can involve the driver's personal auto insurance, Uber's corporate insurance policies, and potentially other drivers' insurance carriers. This creates a tangled web of coverage that can be difficult to sort out without an experienced personal injury lawyer in Houston by your side.

Is Uber responsible for crashes?

Determining Uber's responsibility in a crash isn't always straightforward. Uber drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees, which the company uses to limit its liability in many situations, but this doesn't mean Uber bears no responsibility when accidents occur.

Uber's liability largely depends on the driver's status at the time of the accident. The company provides different levels of insurance coverage based on what the driver was doing when the crash occurred:

1. If the driver was offline and not using the app, Uber typically claims no responsibility, leaving victims to pursue claims against the driver's personal insurance.
2. When drivers are logged into the app, Uber does provide some level of coverage, which depends on whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting someone.

Texas law also allows for direct claims against Uber in certain circumstances, particularly if the company's negligence contributed to your accident. This might include inadequate background checks, failing to maintain safety standards, or knowingly allowing dangerous drivers to continue operating on their platform.

What makes Uber car accident claims more complex

Uber accident claims present unique challenges that don't exist in traditional car accident cases, which is why they require Houston car accident lawyers with unique knowledge and experience. 

Some of the main complicating factors involved in rideshare accidents include:

1. There are often multiple insurance policies involved
2. Uber and other rideshare companies employ massive corporate defense teams whose job it is to minimize payouts
3. Rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors
4. Proving negligence on the part of the company is exceptionally tough

Does Uber cover accidents for passengers?

Uber does provide insurance coverage for passengers, but the level of protection varies significantly based on the circumstances of the accident. 

When you're a passenger in an Uber vehicle that's involved in a crash, you're generally covered under Uber's $1 million liability policy, which also includes uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage only applies when the driver is actively transporting a passenger or en route to pick up a passenger after accepting a ride request. 

Does this mean you don’t need a lawyer for an Uber accident? NO!

Uber's insurance is designed to protect the company's interests first. Their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may attempt to settle quickly for amounts that don't fully compensate you for your injuries. They may also try to place blame on other parties or question the severity of your injuries to reduce their liability.

How much will I get from the Uber settlement?

Victims of Uber accidents may be entitled to a number of types of damages, depending on the severity of their injuries and the impact on their lives. 

Economic damages compensate you for material economic losses resulting from your injuries. Common economic damages in Uber accidents include:

• Medical expenses, including costs for emergency room visits and ambulances, surgery and hospitalization, ongoing rehabilitation and physical therapy, prescription medications, medical equipment and assistive devices, and future medical care needs
• Lost income in the form of wages lost during recovery, reduced earning capacity, lost benefits and bonuses, reduced future income potential, and lost career advancement opportunities

Non-economic damages are meant to compensate you for the less-economically-quantifiable impacts an accident has on your life, which often include:

• Pain and suffering damages from physical discomfort and limitations, emotional distress and anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and psychological trauma
• Quality of life impacts from permanent scarring or disfigurement, loss of companionship, inability to participate in activities, and sleep disruption and chronic pain

Punitive damages may also be available in cases of egregious conduct, if it is determined that the actions of the party who caused your accident were reckless or negligent. These are used to discourage patterns of behavior and are much rarer than economic and non-economic damages. 

Remember, if you want to recover your full scope of available compensation and make sure that you don't accept a settlement that falls short of covering your actual losses, you will likely need a skilled attorney to advocate for your losses to the rideshare or insurance companies.  

What to do if your Uber crashes

The actions you take immediately following your Uber crash can significantly impact both your long-term health and any personal injury claims from the accident. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you protect yourself and preserve your rights:

1. Ensure your safety. Move to a safe location if you are physically able, and call 911 immediately. 
2. Seek medical attention. Accept examination from emergency personnel, and follow advice on medical treatment, even if you feel fine. 
3. Document the scene. Photograph all vehicles involved, the road conditions and traffic signals, visible injuries, and damages to property.
4. Gather information. Get your Uber driver’s name, license, and insurance details. Note contact information for other drivers involved, as well as witnesses not involved in the accident. You should also ask for a copy of the police report and the reporting officer’s information. 
5. Watch what you say. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing, stick to factual observations only, be polite but cautious with statements, and don't speculate about what happened.
6. Report and contact. Report the accident to Uber (being very careful what you say) and contact an experienced Uber accident attorney.
7. Continue medical care. Attend all follow-up appointments, follow treatment recommendations, and keep detailed records of all medical care — it’s often essential to your case. 

How much are Uber passenger accident settlement amounts?

Uber passenger accident settlements vary widely based on the factors of your accident. While it's impossible to provide specific dollar amounts without examining individual cases, understanding the main factors that influence settlement values can help you gauge the potential value of your claim.

Another major contributing factor is the quality of your representation. Whether you’re sorting through the aftermath of an Uber crash, were hit by a truck, or were involved in a motorcycle accident in Houston, a skilled personal injury lawyer with a track record of winning cases like yours will increase the chances you get the settlement you truly deserve.

Involved in a rideshare accident? Calderon Law Firm is here to protect you.

The aftermath of auto accidents can always turn your life upside down, but Uber accidents often create tough situations that are near-impossible to get through alone. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. At Calderon Law Firm, we understand the unique difficulties you face in the wake of rideshare accidents and have the experience necessary to fight for your rights against large corporations and their insurance companies.

Still wondering what to do if your Uber crashes? Jose Calderon can help. Whether your injuries are minor to moderate or a loved one tragically passed away and you’re looking for wrongful death attorneys in Houston, Jose Calderon can help you sort through the aftermath and take the next step towards resolution. 

Don't let Uber or their insurance companies take advantage of you during this vulnerable time. Call Jose Calderon and Calderon Law Firm today at (346) 999-5673 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let us get to work for you, so you can focus on your recovery.