Were you a passenger in an Uber accident, stuck with a physical impairment and trying to make sense of the ambiguous police report? Are you trying to figure out how to get a fair settlement offer from the rideshare driver or Uber itself and are at a dead end? Did your ride request turn into a sexual assault by the Uber driver? If so, you are not alone. We reached out to lead counsel of a top Uber accident law firm in Los Angeles County, CA at Ehline Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC. His name is Michael Ehline. Ehline told us everything you need to know about Uber car accidents from an expert’s point of view.
Ehline said that in certain situations, most injury attorneys also offer a free case review and are available 24/7 to discuss your claim against Uber or some other co-defendant partially at fault for hurting you or your close loved one. From the information our journalists found, they have extensive experience taking on insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, and Farmers, and even suing government agencies like CalTrans.
What we do know is that Uber has made people’s lives much simpler, allowing consumers to enjoy a convenient and quick mode of transportation without the hassles of car ownership. It also comes with several risks. Uber accidents can leave victims with catastrophic injuries. Worse, there is a serious complexity surrounding Uber accident claims, which can make the entire ordeal even more stressful once the insurance adjuster accepts the personal injury claim. Are you still looking for a personal injury attorney?
Why not just stop reading now and call us for a free consultation? Probably because you are smart enough to see your option. Some lawyers can be en route to pick you up themselves if they have to, and many are ready and willing to fight for the client 24/7. We selected our experts for this interview because their ultimate goal is to get the most value out of your case and the least stress from their representation.
Best Personal Injury Attorneys
When hunting down a car accident lawyer, make sure their best personal injury lawyer will hold your hand and fight alongside you in the battle for justice in the form of maximum compensation in a civil case. Will they fight to make the actual cash value higher than a less skilled advocate without our years of experience and trust with peers and insurance adjusters alike? Are they ready to go after all available collision coverage right now in most car accident claims? Can you call and discuss car insurance and bodily injury coverage to get your personal injury claims on track for the future? If so, you are on the right track.
Rideshare companies should tremble in their boots, knowing that only the best lawyers will sue Uber directly if they don’t honor your reasonable Uber claim. And if an accident happened, they will do it swiftly, all on a contingency fee basis, and recover no fee unless you win! The best car crash lawyers will even meet you at the accident scene after you seek medical care, file a claim and prepare a comprehensive demand letter on your behalf against every at fault for the accident.
They’ll seek to obtain the insurance policy limits and pursue other vehicles with insurance involved in an accident that poured over into to yours, like a chain collision, for following too closely. Getting people fat settlement checks is their forte, and the best ones are good at this task. They know your bases are covered with a venerable team standing by your side to offer support and get you paid! This is what happened when we spoke to Ehline, and we think you too when you speak to a caring representative at Ehline Law Firm today by dialing (213) 596-9642.
Handling Insurance Coverage Issues Since 2005?
Ehline Law and their aggressive Los Angeles County Uber accident attorneys purport to know the challenges associated with filing Uber accident claims and handling the insurance company. They have over 15 years of successful track record, aggressively fighting for more than 3,000 injured victims to get the compensation they deserve. Their website says, “We are committed to truth, justice, and the American family!”
For all those who have suffered injuries in an Uber accident, here is a mini guide on understanding and bringing Uber claims we wrote with help from their lead counsel. ENJOY!
What Is California Law Regarding Uber’s Insurance Responsibilities?
State’s Minimum Liability Coverage
California requires all drivers to have minimum auto liability insurance coverage to drive on the road legally. It includes the following:
- $15,000 for injuries sustained by one person
- $30,000 for injuries suffered in the accident
- $5,000 for property damage.
However, Michael Ehline says California Assembly Bill No. 2293 requires Uber and other ridesharing companies to maintain additional auto insurance for the Uber driver. The idea is to cover the costs of health care, lost wages, and any pain and suffering the victims had been subject to as a result of the calamity to any blameless party.
Their personal injury lawyers are specialists in building the values of these types of damages claims, allowing their clients to pocket more cash for things like future physical pain, rental coverage, and money to replace their own car.
Uber Maintains Additional Insurance
Uber carries a $1 million liability insurance policy in California that covers personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death. It also maintains $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This will handle insurance claims where car accidents are caused by a party who absconds rather than stay to discuss the auto accident and exchange information. So typically, this is insurance that would cover injury liability for conduct other than the Uber driver’s leading to a death or serious injury after a rideshare accident.
Summary: This is for some accident other than the Uber driver caused by another’s wilful neglect, fleeing the scene of the accident and refusing to exchange ID, proof of insurance information, etc.
Available Coverage May Vary Depending on App Status
It is important to note that the $1 million insurance coverage is not always available in an Uber accident and depends on the time of the accident.
If the driver’s app is on, but they have not paired with a passenger, you won’t have access to the $1 million coverage but the following:
- $50,000 for bodily injury sustained by one individual
- $100,000 for bodily injury for the entire accident (Helps pay when you seek medical attention and medical treatment.)
- $25,000 for property damage liability coverage applies against the negligent party. (This means the other car gets up to 25k to get their car repaired.)
Suppose the driver does not have their app turned on during the accident. In that case, their personal auto insurance policy will have to cover the damages from trips leading to and at blame for the incident involving the injured rider, a person on foot run over, and other types of victims.
Who Can Recover Compensation in an Uber Accident?
You may be eligible to pursue an Uber accident claim if you suffer injuries as:
- A pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist who got struck by an Uber vehicle.
- An Uber driver due to another’s fault.
- A passenger who was traveling in an Uber vehicle when the accident occurred.
Types of Damages You May Be Able to Recover
Two main types of damages fall under compensatory damages, which you can recover after the Uber accident, including the following.
Economic Damages
An Uber accident can leave you with direct out-of-pocket expenses, referred to as economic or special damages. These may include the following.
Medical Bills
Expenses arising from hospitalization, prescription medication, therapy, and other medical treatments fall under medical bills. It also includes past, current, and future medical bills resulting from injuries due to the Uber accident.
Lost Wages
Depending on the severity of the Uber accident, you may not be able to return to work for a few days, weeks, or even months. In severe cases, an injured victim may never be able to return to work. Injured victims may recover current, past, and future lost income and earning potential depending on their injury case.
Property Damage
Although uncommon in many other accidents, property damage is widespread in a car accident, and a victim may be able to recover these when filing an Uber accident claim.
Non-economic Damages
Besides the physical injuries sustained, personal injury law compensates victims for emotional and mental injuries after their accident. An Uber accident can cause pain and suffering, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life, for which injured victims can pursue compensation.
The damages victims can recover vary from one Uber accident case to another. You may be eligible for other damages not mentioned above, which is why discussing your case with an experienced Uber accident attorney is essential.
Can I Sue Uber for Injuries in an Uber Accident?
Uber categorizes their employees as “independent contractors” and not as employees, which makes it challenging for injured victims to hold Uber liable for any damages. However, under California law, Uber has to maintain an insurance policy far greater than a typical auto insurance policy.
Injured victims must pursue a claim against the Uber driver who has personal insurance and an Uber insurance policy. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, injured victims may be able to access the $1 million insurance coverage (medical payments coverage) provided by Uber.
When Can I Sue Uber for the Damages?
In situations where a victim suffers injuries due to the negligence of Uber, they may be able to pursue a lawsuit against the company for the damages.
Uber is responsible for carrying out background checks and ensuring that their drivers do not have a criminal past. Failure to carry out their responsibility towards their passengers can lead to liability for which injured victims can hold them accountable.
Most lawsuits against Uber arise from sexual assault allegations and accusations, claiming that the company failed to conduct proper background checks or ensure a formal investigation into the sexual assault complaint.
Whether you’re an Uber passenger, pedestrian, or any other person injured in an Uber accident and are unsure if you have a case against the driver or the company, reach out to a reputable Uber accident lawyer to discuss the case and know your legal options.
What Is the Claims Process Against Uber?
Pursuing claims against an at-fault driver for a car accident can be complex and tiring. From adhering to the legal process to gathering evidence to build a strong case, promptly filing claims within the statute of limitations, and handling the insurance company, the insurance claim process is often hectic and requires patience.
The process can become a nightmare if you’ve suffered injuries in an Uber car accident. There are a complicated series of steps that you must follow due to the ridesharing laws, which may vary from one state to another. In California, you may have to pursue a claim against the Uber driver and also against the Uber company’s insurance policy to recover the damages incurred from an Uber car accident.
PIP Uber Car Accident Protection
In states with personal injury protection (PIP), injured victims may have to pursue a claim against it first. You may be able to tackle the driver’s insurer, but pursuing a claim against Uber’s insurance company is the most challenging aspect of an Uber car accident claim. Regardless of the insurance limits that extend coverage up to $1 million, Uber’s insurance company will fight hard to reduce or deny claims.
Let a Lawyer Deal With Uber’s Insurance Company!
It is crucial that you hire an experienced Uber accident lawyer to help you navigate the complex filing process and tackle Uber’s insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve.
Pursuing an Uber accident claim against the company requires the most experienced and aggressive litigators. Ehline Law and our personal injury attorneys have the successful trial experience to protect and fight for your rights.
What Is the Average Uber Accident Settlement?
It is common for injured Uber passengers or victims to wonder about the average Uber accident settlement to help them decide whether it is worth the time and effort to pursue a claim. In most cases, it is worth pursuing a claim even if you’ve suffered minor injuries, as you shouldn’t be responsible for paying medical expenses due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing. There is no average settlement amount, as most Uber accident settlements happen behind closed doors.
However, certain factors can affect your settlement amount, and one of the major ones is the accident’s circumstances (or time) and the severity of the injuries sustained. If you’ve suffered injuries during the ride, you may have access to the $1 million insurance coverage Uber maintains for Uber drivers.
However, not all of the $1 million will be available to you, as it will depend on the severity of your injuries and how much damage you incur. A whiplash injury won’t get you as much as a traumatic brain injury, and the Uber driver alone won’t have enough personal savings to cover a catastrophic injury or wrongful death claim.
Accident victims need to work with experienced Uber accident attorneys to assess and calculate the damages incurred and learn whether it is worth pursuing a claim against the Uber driver or the company.
How Can Uber Accident Lawyers Help Injured Victims Following Uber Accidents?
Uber accidents can be life-altering, and if injured victims don’t know the legal process or how to pursue Uber accident claims, they may end up jeopardizing their case and losing out on monetary damages.
- Experienced Uber accident attorneys know how Uber’s insurance policy works and can investigate the accident to determine the insurance coverage available to you before pursuing a claim.
- Whether you’re injured as an Uber passenger or any other person, a skilled lawyer can gather the evidence required to build a strong case and increase your chances of financial recovery.
- You may face many challenges if you’re pursuing a claim against Uber’s insurance company. They can be a pain to work with; in most cases, you’ll face resistance. A skilled attorney can handle Uber’s insurance company and negotiate a fair Uber accident settlement on your behalf.
Schedule a Free Consultation with An Uber Insurance Expert As Most Don’t Charge UpFront
It’s Uber’s policy to fight claims, maybe claims like yours, against their deplorable Uber driver. From our personal experience, we know that Ehline Law is a superior personal injury law firm, protecting the rights of injured victims in California since 2005. They have recovered in excess of $150 million in settlements and verdicts for their injured clients and have the experience to handle your Uber accident claim and fight for your rights when the Uber driver is at fault and playing innocent.
If you suffered injuries in an Uber accident due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing, you can contact them swiftly at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation, as you may be able to seek compensation in or out of court and only have a short time to make your claims for payment. However, this is not the only law firm out there like this, so do your own research.
Image Credits: Straccilaw.com
