Being an Uber rideshare driver comes with a lot of responsibility.
Not only are you responsible for getting your passengers to their destination safely, but you’re also responsible for making sure they have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
However, a rideshare accident can happen at a moment’s notice.
Research shows that between 2017 and 2018, 97 fatal Uber crashes led to 107 deaths.
If you find yourself in an accident while driving for Uber, there are specific steps to protect yourself, your passengers, and your livelihood.
Table Of Contents
- What Happens if I Am in an Uber Accident?
- How to File an Uber Accident Report?
- Whose Insurance Applies if I Am in an Uber Accident?
- Who Is Responsible for an Uber Accident: Uber or the Driver?
- Does Uber Report an Uber Accident to Your Insurance?
- Do I Need an Attorney if I Am in an Uber Accident?
- Do Drivers Get Compensation if in an Uber Accident?
- Can I Sue Uber if There Is an Uber Accident?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
What Happens if I Am in an Uber Accident?
It is important to understand the support available to you and your passengers to know what steps to take if you are involved in an accident while driving for Uber.
The most unfortunate thing that could happen is being caught off-guard and not knowing what to do.
Let’s look into what happens for drivers and riders when an accident occurs.
An Uber Accident as a Rider
Uber passengers are not at fault in an accident.
In an accident, riders should seek medical attention if necessary.
They will also need to file a report, which we will talk about later in this post.
An Uber Accident as a Driver
When an accident happens, Uber drivers need to, if possible, move their vehicle to the side of the road to prevent further harm.
The next thing is to check themselves and their passengers for bodily injury to see if anyone needs medical attention.
If so, it is crucial to call 911 right away.
Don’t move any injured passengers as this may cause more harm.
If no one ends up injured, you will still need to report the car accident to local law enforcement and Uber.
So, if possible, take pictures, videos, or both of the damage to your Uber vehicle, any other vehicles involved in the car accident, and the surrounding area.
It is also essential to get the contact information of any witnesses.
After ensuring that everyone is safe and getting the medical attention they need, the next step is to file an accident report with Uber.
How to File an Uber Accident Report?
Uber drivers can report an accident by going to the help tab on their app and clicking on “I was in an accident.”
Then, select the trip in question and answer the questions about what happened.
Be as specific as possible when giving your account of the accident.
Provide your personal information to make it easier for claims representatives to document the information effectively.
You are not alone in this process.
Uber supports their drivers and passengers and cares that everyone is safe and looked after in the event of an accident.
Once the accident gets reported, an Uber team member will reach out to the driver to confirm the accuracy of the information, make sure everyone is safe, and gather further information for the next steps.
Passengers need to report the incident.
They navigate to “riders,” “help with a trip,” and “I was involved in an accident.”
Here riders will provide information about the accident and submit photos, if available.
An Uber representative will get back to them as well.
Whose Insurance Applies if I Am in an Uber Accident?
There are a lot of questions surrounding insurance when it comes to an Uber car accident.
Depending on the situation, different insurance policies may apply.
As an Uber Driver
Uber drivers who have a commercial license and insurance for private hire or limousine services are covered by their automobile insurance.
If the other person is at fault for the accident, Uber provides uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage on behalf of the Uber driver.
It is reassuring to know that Uber provides this coverage if the other person at fault doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages.
If the accident is the Uber driver’s fault and they have not accepted a trip request yet, their third-party insurance will cover the accident.
While every third-party insurance company offers different support based on state, you will have at least $100,000 in liability coverage, $35,000 in property damage, and $50,000 in bodily injury per person per crash.
On the other hand, if the Uber driver has accepted a ride request and is involved in an at-fault accident, your third-party liability insurance can cover you for at least $1 million.
You will go through third-party insurance for this.
However, Uber also offers coverage for the damage sustained to your vehicle.
That may have up to a $2,500 deductible.
If you purchased your vehicle through the marketplace, you are only subject to a $1,000 deductible.
Uber will not cover rentals for drivers after an accident.
You will need rental coverage through your personal auto insurance policy or third-party commercial insurance.
As an Uber Passenger
If you are an Uber passenger and you’re in an accident, you are not responsible for any damage to the vehicle.
You are also not responsible for any medical bills that may come as a result of the accident.
You will not need to contact your vehicle insurance company because you were not at fault.
Uber’s insurance or the insurance of the other driver at fault will cover any medical expenses resulting from the accident up to the state’s required minimum coverage.
If you live in a state that requires PIP or MedPay, Uber’s policy will also cover those expenses.
Who Is Responsible for an Uber Accident: Uber or the Driver?
In general, Uber is not responsible for any drivers’ accidents.
Drivers get classified as independent contractors, which means that they are not employees of Uber.
As a result, any accidents they get into are not the responsibility of Uber.
As mentioned above, Uber does offer coverage in certain situations when the Uber driver is not at fault.
Does Uber Report an Uber Accident to Your Insurance?
One great thing about driving for Uber is that you only have to report the details of the accident once.
Once you report the accident details to Uber, Their claims support team helps guide you through the claims process and will get the information over to your third-party insurance company.
Therefore, you don’t need to report the accident to your personal auto insurance carrier.
Of course, if you have any questions about whether or not you should report the accident to your insurance company, you should always err on the side of caution and give them a call.
Do I Need an Attorney if I Am in an Uber Accident?
You will not need an attorney if you are in an Uber accident most of the time.
The insurance companies will work with each other to determine who is responsible for what.
However, if you are in an accident and you sustained severe injuries, plan to sue, or if the other driver is resisting or not cooperating with their insurance company, you may need to hire an attorney.
They can help you through the process.
Do Drivers Get Compensation if in an Uber Accident?
Yes, drivers do get compensated if they are in an Uber accident. Uber drivers can seek compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and vehicle damage through Uber’s insurance policy.
However, in some states, you have to show that you did not share any responsibility for the accident.
Can I Sue Uber if There Is an Uber Accident?
Yes, you can sue Uber if there is an accident.
Hiring a personal injury attorney may be the best way to get the compensation you deserve, especially in the case of a wrongful death incident.
This applies to Uber drivers and riders.
At the same time, Uber has regulations that prevent anyone from suing them for more than $1 million.
What Damages May I Recover in an Uber Accident?
You are not alone.
Many people have been in accidents while using Uber.
The good news is that you may be eligible to recover compensation for your damages.
Both Uber drivers and riders can sue for the following damages:
- Past and future physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and physical impairment
- Past and future medical bills, disability, and hospital expenses
- Loss of future income due to disability
- Wrongful death
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some important questions that people have about Uber accidents.
Where do I find legal help if I am in an Uber accident?
Another awesome thing about the Uber rideshare company is its experience.
Over the years, they have created an arsenal of resources for their drivers and passengers.
They even partner with accident law firms that can help you with your accident.
You can find an Uber accident law firm by searching online.
Type “Uber accident law firms” and include your state.
Google will pull up a list of Uber accident lawyers in your area.
Or, you can ask for a recommended law office when you speak with one of the Uber claims representatives.
Who handles Uber claims?
Uber handles all of its own claims.
You will not need to contact your personal insurance company if you are in an accident while driving for Uber.
Once you report all the accident details to Uber, they will submit the information to their claims support team.
The team will then work with you to help guide you through the process and get the information over to your third-party insurance company.
How long do Uber accident settlements take?
The time it takes to settle an Uber accident claim varies case by case.
If you have minor injuries and damage to your vehicle, the claim may be resolved relatively quickly.
But, if you have more serious injuries or if the other driver is disputing liability, the Uber accident settlement process could take much longer.
This is because the insurance companies will need to investigate the accident and may need to hire experts to recreate the accident.
All of this takes time and could lengthen the Uber accident settlement process.
Wrapping Up
While we hope that you never have to experience an accident while driving for Uber, it is essential to know what to do if it does happen.
By following the steps above, you can be sure that you are taking the proper steps to protect yourself and your passengers.
Some accidents are unavoidable.
But know that as an accident victim, Uber has your back when it comes to providing insurance coverage.
Don’t be afraid to seek the coverage you deserve by hiring an Uber accident lawyer.
To learn more about Uber accidents, feel free to contact them via their help center.
