What to do After a Virginia Uber Accident?
Recently, there has been in increase in popularity of ridesharing apps, like Uber and Lyft. “Ubering” has become an easy and accessible way to access transportation in many areas of Virginia. But what happens if an Uber driver causes a car accident? How difficult is it to get a settlement for an Uber accident? You’ll find the answers to these questions and more in this Uber accident article.
Uber Accident: Uber Drivers
Even though Uber is a company providing a ridesharing service to customers, Uber drivers are not not employees of the company. Because Uber drivers drive their own vehicles while transporting paying customers, they are often labeled independent contractors, which changes the way insurance coverage works.
So, if a driver causes an Uber accident, whose car insurance company will pay for the injuries? Here are a few rules that may apply depending on the circumstances of the accident:
- If you’re involved in an Uber accident when the Uber driver is carrying you as a passenger and signed into the Uber app, Uber’s auto insurance liability coverage will apply to your injuries.
- If the accident occurred while the Uber driver was not signed into the Uber app, the at fault driver’s personal car insurance liability coverage will apply to any injuries sustained by the parties.
Are Uber Driver Accidents Common?
In the past, the standards set for Uber drivers has not been particularly high. Initially, Uber drivers weren’t even subject to background checks. Admittedly, Uber has attempted to raise the bar for the required qualifications of Uber drivers. However, an Uber driver is often concerned about finishing a route quickly, so they can pick up another paying Uber passenger. As a result, an Uber driver may be more prone to making driving errors as they are concentrating on getting the next fare.
Uber Accident Claim: Important Steps After an Uber Accident
If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident, there are steps you can take that may improve your chances for a monetary recovery on your Uber accident claim. Here are several important steps to take:
- Call the police – After an Uber accident (or any car accident), it is important to call the local law enforcement agency so a police report can be made.
- Get names of all drivers – while you’re waiting for the police to arrive on the accident scene, record the names and contact information of all drivers involved in the car accident.
- Seek medical care – If you have serious injuries, make this step your number one priority! But, even if you think you’re not injured, it will still be important to see a medical professional to be checked out . . . just in case. An examination by a doctor after an Uber accident is also important to document possible injuries and medical treatment received in case there is a delayed onset of pain or other injuries.
Report accident to Uber – If an Uber driver caused the accident, you will want to report the accident claim to Uber. Uber’s app has a option for reporting an Uber accident. After reporting the Uber accident, someone from the company should contact you for more details.
Uber Accident Lawyer
It’s important to recognize that insurance companies will do almost anything they can to deny a car accident claim, especially in the case of Uber accidents. Uber accident victims can expect to be busy filing insurance claims for their injuries. You will need obtain the police report and provide that to the insurance company for both your Uber driver as well as the at fault driver, if the two are different. You can also expect to be supplying copies of medical bills and documentation for any lost wages. This means that you will be dealing with insurance adjusters A LOT! Dealing with an insurance company is not as straightforward as it may seem. There are many traps which can negatively impact the value of your case. So, it is just commonsense that you would consult with an experienced Uber accident attorney about your case before you make a mistake.
Most Uber accident lawyers offer a free consultation for personal injury cases. It won’t cost you anything to talk with them and get some advice. Then, you can decide whether you need an Uber accident attorney helping you with your case before incurring legal fees.
Talk With an Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer
If you have questions about how to settle an injury claim in an Uber accident, the Ritchie Law Firm is here to help. If you are planning to handle your Uber accident claim without the help of an Uber accident lawyer, it is best to get some advice before attempting to recover fair compensation for your medical expenses and other out of pocket costs. The experienced Uber accident lawyers at the Ritchie Law Firm help car accident victims get the recovery they deserve after Uber accidents. The best personal injury lawyers will have had success obtaining significant compensation for cases involving Virginia Uber accidents listed on their websites. Check out Ritchie Law Firm’s success with Uber accident cases on our settlements and recoveries page.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Virginia and are concerned about dealing with the insurance adjuster after a Virginia auto accident, your Uber accident lawyer, the Ritchie Law Firm has you covered. The experienced, certified Uber accident lawyer at the Ritchie Law Firm has helped thousands of injury victims and their families recover the full compensation they deserve after an accident. Contact us by phone at 800-277-6124 or by using our online contact form to learn about your legal rights.
DON’T GET HURT TWICE!! Your car accident attorney team at the Ritchie Law Firm will help you deal with Uber accidents. We have helped thousands of injured people get the money they deserve after they’ve been injured. Call today to get your free case evaluation and free consultation — 800-277-6124.
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Ritchie Law Firm is a Virginia and West Virginia serious injuries lawyer and car accident attorney law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. The personal injury lawyers at the Ritchie Law Firm offers legal representation to all of Virginia, while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV.
