Uber, Lyft, and the other major rideshare services in Panama City go to great lengths to ensure that each driver on their platform is safe and trustworthy. Unfortunately, no amount of due diligence will ever guarantee that every Uber ride will be safe and accident-free, which is why it is so important to know that you have access to excellent legal representation with a Panama City car accident lawyer at Fasig | Brooks. Trying to unravel the threads of liability after a rideshare accident can complicate the situation immediately. This is especially true when you need to prioritize your recovery above all else.
Contact Fasig | Brooks For a Free Consultation Today
Knowing where to turn after an accident can be difficult, but we are confident that a free consultation with one of the attorneys at our award-winning law firm will leave you with a clear sense of your options as we look towards the future together. You do not need to take on this stressful and sometimes contentious process on your own.
Read more about Uber accidents, the specifics of their insurance structure, and how an attorney can help you get the money you deserve. If you did not cause the accident you were hurt in, there is no reason for you to take on the financial burden of any of the damages the accident caused. A Panama City personal injury lawyer is here to help.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
Who Pays After an Uber Accident?
Uber uses a tiered insurance coverage structure for independent contractors who connect with riders through the Uber platform, meaning that you will first need to determine which “stage” a driver was in during your crash before moving forward with your claim.
Uber’s Insurance Policy
The following is taken directly from Uber’s website:
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
Insurance for rideshare drivers with Uber
Offline or the Driver app is off
- Your chosen personal insurance company and coverages apply
Available or waiting for a ride request
Uber maintains the following auto insurance on your behalf in case of a covered accident:
Third-party liability if your personal auto insurance doesn’t apply
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
En route to pick up riders and during trips
Uber maintains the following auto insurance on your behalf in case of a covered accident:
- $1,000,000 third-party liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
- Contingent comprehensive and collision
- Up to actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible (Effective 3/1/2021)
- Certain vehicles offered through the Vehicle Marketplace are subject to a $1,000 deductible
What This Means For You
If you are a passenger in an Uber, you are covered by Uber’s $1,000,000 third-party liability coverage and will not need to worry about the driver’s personal injury policy whatsoever. However, if you are involved in an accident with a driver but you are in a different vehicle, on foot, riding a bicycle, or any other circumstance, you may not have access to this policy.
Uber drivers are categorized as independent contractors, not employees, meaning that they are only working on behalf of Uber when they are actively using the app. As indicated in the section above, a driver has no affiliation with Uber when the app is offline — you will file your insurance claim with their private insurance like any other accident with a private vehicle. If, however, the driver was available in the app or waiting for a request, Uber’s insurance policy will cover any claims that exceed the driver’s personal auto insurance limits. Finally, if the driver is on their way to pick up or actively driving a passenger, then you will again file directly with the Uber auto insurance.
Higher Policy Limits ≠ Fair Settlements
Regardless of which policy you file against, the fact of the matter remains: insurance companies do not want to pay what claimants rightfully deserve for their damages. In order to get what you deserve, you (or your Uber accident attorney) will need to go through an extensive investigation to identify all damages, economic and non-economic, to present as a counter-offer once the insurance adjuster makes their initial offer. You will be shocked at the difference between the two figures and the amount of work it will take your attorney to close the gap without taking your case to the Florida courts.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Accident Claims in Panama City
The following are just a few of the many questions that an experienced Uber accident lawyer will be able to answer for you in great detail. Remember that these answers are simply meant to give you a general sense of your situation, but the only way to get actual legal advice is to speak directly with an attorney who is familiar with your case. Our free consultation is a great opportunity to establish a baseline understanding of your situation before your attorney starts working on your case.
Is an Uber Driver an Employee of Uber Technologies Inc?
Unlike a taxi driver, an Uber driver is not an employee of the parent company they drive for. This means that Uber Technologies Inc. is only involved in an accident claim when the driver is actively engaged with their platform, either waiting for a ride or in the process of driving a passenger through the Uber app. This distinction is important when it comes to filing an insurance claim, which may be against a personal policy, commercial policy, or a combination of both.
How much is my Uber accident claim worth?
In order to determine how much you are actually owed after an Uber accident, you and your attorney will need to take a close look at your situation and catalog the numerous damages that you are likely to have suffered (and may continue to suffer). However, simply determining how much your claim is worth does not mean that you will receive that amount without an aggressive negotiation for an out-of-court settlement or a lawsuit.
Will I need to go to court to get a fair settlement?
Many personal injury claims are settled without a lawsuit ever being filed, but this is no guarantee that your case will not need to go to court. Typically, an attorney will attempt to negotiate an out-of-court settlement to avoid a time-consuming and costly trial, but there are certain instances where it makes sense to get your case in front of a judge and jury as quickly as possible.
Do I need an attorney to file an Uber accident claim?
There is no law requiring a personal injury victim to hire an attorney, and at first glance, the insurance claims policy is fairly simple. The claims process only becomes complicated when a victim demands a settlement that accurately reflects the damages they have suffered, which is a service that an attorney can provide you with through years of experience and an intimate understanding of personal injury law.
Contact a Panama City Uber Accident Lawyer Today
Our free consultation gives you a no-obligation opportunity to get a better understanding of your situation and how you can move forward to fight for fair compensation with the support of a proven, aggressive personal injury attorney in Panama City. Contact us as soon as possible to get started on your case today.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
