Uber is cost-efficient, convenient, and extremely popular in California. Due to its popularity, it’s not surprising that there’s also a rise in injured passengers and Uber accidents everywhere. But what if you were riding an Uber vehicle and got injured because the driver hit another vehicle? Generally speaking, you are legally entitled to pursue financial compensation you can use to cover the losses you incurred due to the accident.
Who Pays For My Damages in an Uber Accident?
Under the law, the driver at fault for an accident must be held liable for any resulting injuries and damages. This means that if your Uber driver caused the crash, you have a valid claim under Uber’s insurance coverage. If you suffered injuries while riding in an Uber vehicle, Uber should provide third-party liability insurance of up to $1 million. But if the Uber driver was not using or logged in to the Uber app when the accident occurred, you may only be able to recover damages from the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
If the driver that got struck by your Uber driver was also partly at fault for the crash, you can seek damages from both parties. California follows the comparative negligence rule, which lets injured victims recoup compensation from Uber, the other vehicle’s driver, and the Uber driver. The court will assign each party a level of fault to determine how much compensation you can recover from each of them.
In this case, you must prove how these parties caused the crash that resulted in your losses. This also means filing multiple claims against multiple insurance companies.
What Damages Can I Recover in an Uber Crash?
In most cases, passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians that suffered losses in a crash can recover the following damages:
- Future and past lost income, wages, or earnings
- Future and past medical expenses for emergency treatment, diagnostic testing, surgery, medications, physical therapy, hospitalization, doctor’s appointments, etc.
- Future and past emotional distress and physical and mental suffering and pain
- Future financial losses, diminished earning ability, and loss of job opportunities due to a lifelong or long-term disability
Expect to hear from an Uber insurance claims adjuster after the accident. They will call you about what happened and offer you a quick but low settlement to get you to settle your claim before you know any better. This is why discussing your case with a lawyer before talking to any insurance adjuster is recommended.
Get Legal Guidance From an Experienced California Uber Accident Lawyer Now
If you’ve sustained injuries as a passenger in an Uber vehicle, please do not hesitate to contact the California Uber Accident lawyer at Bamieh& De Smeth. We know how to navigate the complex legal issues involved in Uber accident claims to ensure that you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
To learn more about your options and set up a free case evaluation with our California Uber accident attorney, you can fill out our online form or call our office at 805-643-5555.