As part of the riding public, it is essential that you understand a ridesharing company’s accident policy. What should you do if you rode an Uber, and your driver encountered an accident on the road that caused your injuries? If this happens, Uber has an accident policy. The policy covers the driver up to $1 million in liability. This means that you will be covered for up to $1 million in damages for the injuries and losses.
This coverage only applies if Uber’s driver or the other driver is at fault and has bodily injury coverage that is insufficient. The $1 million maximum insurance coverage is only available in specific situations outlined in Uber’s auto insurance policy.
If a driver had logged into the Uber app but has not yet connected with a passenger when it encountered an accident, the insurance policy only covers up to $50,000 in liability.
If your Uber driver is in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, the maximum $1 million coverage applies. This also applies when the Uber driver is involved in a hit-and-run accident.
If the Uber driver has the right coverage, you have to talk with his insurance company.
Keep in mind that the goal of insurance companies is not to give you the maximum recovery for your damages. Most insurance companies do not consider the individual merits of each accident.
If the other driver is at fault, his insurance policy will be used first. If the other driver does not have enough coverage to cover medical bills, Uber’s $1 million underinsured coverage applies.
Can You Sue Uber for Damages?
Uber riders are independent contractors, not Uber employees. Because of this setup, Uber can deny liability in case of an accident. This is the reason why most lawyers agree that Uber passengers won’t likely sue the company. Passengers can try to sue, but the options will be dependent on the laws in the state where the incident happened.
If an accident happened and the passengers need to file a lawsuit, the target of the lawsuit is the driver-at-fault and not Uber. There’s a chance that the driver is not capable of paying for the passenger’s medical bills; that is why Uber has an accident policy.
If you are involved in a car accident with an Uber driver, and it resulted in multiple injuries, consult with legal counselors experienced with personal injuries to help you with your claims. Legal experts will also advise having your lawyer send a preservation of evidence letter to Uber and the driver. This letter will ensure that all data related to your ride is preserved. In some states, Uber could be sued if it fails to safeguard the data related to your trip.