If you are injured by an Uber driver’s negligence, it’s a serious matter that can significantly affect your future. However, an experienced Plantation Uber accident lawyer can help.
Call Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation about your Uber accident claim at 561-609-1200.
How Uber Accident Coverage Works
While there has been a lot of confusion about whether or not Uber drivers work for Uber or are independent contractors, this fact won’t affect your Uber accident claim as much as you might think. Uber drivers are members of the gig economy, but they are, nevertheless, covered by Uber’s comprehensive insurance in some instances.
Further, Uber drivers are required to carry their own car accident coverage as a condition of driving for Uber. This means that – while Uber accident claims can be more complicated than run-of-the-mill car accident claims and can involve more than one insurance company – you are still entitled to compensation for the covered losses you experience.
A dedicated Uber accident attorney can help ensure your claim is resolved favorably.
When an Uber driver has a passenger
If the Uber driver who caused you to be injured had a passenger in their vehicle or was in the process of picking up a passenger who had already been assigned to them at the time, you can count on Uber’s insurance coverage being in place.
When an Uber driver is waiting for an assignment
If the Uber driver who caused your accident was waiting for a passenger assignment, the matter is a bit more complicated. The driver’s coverage will remain in play until its coverage limits are exhausted, and at this point, Uber’s coverage will kick in.
When an Uber driver is no longer on the app
If an Uber driver is not on the Uber app, they are not working for Uber at the time. It’s important, however, to recognize the following:
- Uber drivers often work for more than one rideshare company, which means they often toggle between apps on the road.
- Just because the driver is not on the Uber app at the moment does not mean that the sole reason they are on the road in the first place is in their capacity as an Uber driver.
In other words, Uber is cautious about limiting its liability when it comes to Uber accidents, but its coverage is involved whenever there is an active Uber passenger in the picture.
Accident Risk Factors With Uber Drivers
Just like most car accidents, Uber accidents are often caused by driver negligence, and the fact is that Uber drivers – while they are not professional drivers and have no additional driving skills or safety training – face more taxing driving conditions, including:
- They are required to interact with the app behind the wheel, which amounts to a distraction.
- They are required to drive in areas that they may not be familiar with and to locate pickup and drop-off spots that can be challenging to find.
- In order to turn a profit, they need to hustle, which can translate to speeding.
- They are required to pick up passengers whom they don’t know and have to locate on the street.
- They are required to contend with passengers who sometimes prove challenging.
- They are required to pull in and out of traffic frequently, increasing the risk of accidents.
As a result of these trends, Uber accidents are on the rise. If you’ve been injured by an Uber driver’s negligence, it’s time to reach out to a Plantation personal injury firm with a seasoned Uber accident lawyer on board.
How Are Uber Drivers Negligent?
While Uber drivers are paid to ferry passengers from place to place, they are not – as mentioned – professional drivers, and as a result, they are as likely as anyone else to engage in dangerous driving practices, including the following forms of negligence:
- Impairment
- Failure to obey the rules of the road
- Distraction
- Exhaustion
- Excessive speed
- Aggression
When you couple any one of these with the complicated task of driving passengers in a professional capacity – the way Uber drivers do – the inherent risk rises precipitously.
Calculating Damages You’re Owed From an Uber Crash
If you are injured by an Uber driver’s negligence, the recovery process will be even more challenging without the compensation you are entitled to. Such losses – or legal damages – generally break down into several basic categories.
Property damage to your vehicle
If you were not a passenger in the Uber car, your vehicle was likely damaged. This category of loss extends to any damage to the contents of your vehicle.
Your medical bills
Even what you may consider a relatively minor injury can rack up considerable medical costs, and if your injuries are more serious, the associated expenses can be expansive and may reach far into your future. Any health complications or secondary medical concerns will further complicate the matter.
Your lost wages
Your recovery process may keep you away from work, which will likely translate to lost income. If the injuries you sustain interfere with your ability to perform your job, you can expect even more considerable financial losses that may include lost earning potential into your future.
Your pain and suffering
The emotional strain you endure as a result of the Uber driver’s negligence can make your other losses pale in comparison and should not be ignored.
Speak with an Experienced Plantation Uber Accident Lawyer
Rocco Scarfone knows how to manage Uber accident cases and will put his experience, dedication, and legal insight to work for you. At Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys in Plantation, Florida, we can help drive your claim toward its best possible resolution.
We’re on your side and encourage you to contact us today. Contact us online, or pick up the phone and call Scarfone now.