Choosing to take an Uber ride instead of driving, walking, or cycling through Jacksonville can feel like a no-brainer, which is one reason why the company and their service is so popular in and around the city. Uber Technologies, Inc. does a great job of vetting their drivers, establishing safety guidelines to ensure that their customers get where their need to be without incident, and hold their drivers to high standards for providing quality service consistently. Unfortunately, no amount of guidelines and rules will guarantee that every rider and driver will be safe; the reality is that Uber drivers, like all drivers, are at risk of an accident at any time.
Get Help Understanding Your Options
If you have been injured in an Uber accident, whether as a passenger or in a collision with an Uber driver in your own vehicle, you will quickly find that even something as simple as determining HOW to file a claim can be complex. This is because Uber uses a complicated system of insurance coverage for its drivers, who are not employees of the company but instead operate as independent contractors. This means that when a driver is not actively using the app—either driving to an accepted fare or actively transporting a rider—then they are not performing work for Uber, and are therefore covered by their private insurance.
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Hire an Uber Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville Today
The award-winning team at Fasig | Brooks has a history of experience helping clients get the compensation they deserve after being injured in Uber accidents, and we will be happy to provide you with the same type of support during your own process. In many cases, filing an insurance claim against an Uber driver is very similar to any other insurance claim; however, this does not mean that it is a simple process.
When you file any type of insurance claim as a victim, the insurance company immediately takes action in order to identify all possible ways to limit the amount of money that they ultimately pay out for your claim. This is the case no matter how simple or complicated your case is, which is why it is so important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately.
Contact Us For a Free Consultation Today
Read more below for some general information about how we can help you through this process, as well as some answers to frequently asked questions about Jacksonville Uber accidents. Contact us as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation so that we can work through the details of your case and get on the path towards compensation today.
Award-winning and Experienced Attorneys Available 24/7
Seeking Compensation After an Uber Accident
Uber drivers, as is common with many “gig workers,” are not employees of the company; instead, they are independent contractors that Uber provides work to. This does not mean that Uber is free of any sort of liability, but it does complicate matters slightly. Since an individual is only considered an Uber driver when they are actively engaged in driving for Uber (driving to pick up an accepted fare, or transporting a fare), any actions or incidents they are involved in when they are not “working” does not have anything to do with Uber. In this instance, you will need to seek compensation from the driver’s personal insurance.
However, if the driver is actively transporting a fare (or if you ARE the fare), then they are covered by one of Uber’s insurance policies, which also vary depending on the nature of the work they are engaged in at the time of the collision. Again, the claims process will be very similar to the claims process of any other type of car accident, but any time you are seeking compensation from a major company or representatives of a major company, you can expect some difficulty and resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Accidents in Jacksonville
The following are just a few examples of the many common questions that we happily answer during our free initial consultations and throughout our work with our clients. The answers provided below are intended to give you a general idea of what you can expect, but we are unable to give you a comprehensive answer without first understanding the specifics of your own situation.
How much is my Uber accident worth?
Like any personal injury case, determining the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to require ongoing research and calculation in order to find the true amount. When you file a claim with an insurance company, they will assign a claims adjuster to go through your entire case and identify every possible way to limit the amount of money that they ultimately pay you. Do get what you deserve, you will need to do your own work.
Personal injury cases seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those damages that have measurable financial impacts and costs, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages seek compensation for immeasurable impacts such as the pain and suffering of an accident and the resulting injuries. Insurance companies are most aggressive at pushing back on non-economic damages, which is why having an attorney is so important.
Is there a statute of limitations for seeking compensation after an Uber accident?
Florida’s statute of limitations for any car accident personal injury claim is four years. Once this statute has expired, there is little to no legal ability for a victim to file a complaint. In certain, rare instances, the statute of limitations may be adjusted to accommodate highly specific circumstances, such as the delayed onset of a particular injury.
While it may seem that four years is plenty of time, it is important that you take action as soon as possible with an attorney. We will be able to use this time to facilitate negotiations, and hopefully reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company without needing to go to trial. If we are near the statute’s expiration when we begin our work, we will have very few options other than filing a lawsuit, which can be costly and time-consuming for everyone involved.
Should I accept the settlement offer from the insurance company?
While one of the main goals of a personal injury claim is to reach a settlement agreement without needing to file a lawsuit or go through a trial, it does not mean that the first offer that the insurance company makes will be adequate. In fact, the initial offer from the insurance company will likely be shockingly low compared to the calculations that you and your attorney have done and will require ongoing negotiation in order to reach a fair agreement.
Never sign any papers or accept any offers from an insurance company without first consulting with an experienced legal professional who can give you guidance and context to your options.
