Uber, and other ridesharing companies, have become immensely popular in the last few years as a safe means of going out and getting back home. With more Uber drivers on the road, the likelihood of getting in an accident with one continues to increase. You might wonder how an accident with an Uber driver is different than an accident with a private driver and what you should do if you’re injured.
What to Do in an Accident
Accidents happen every day across the country, and how you respond can determine if a claim you make later is successful. Regardless if you are another driver or an Uber passenger, you can react to an accident similarly to any other. Call 911 to get a police officer on the scene who can take statements from everyone involved and create a report that you can file for later use. Check for injuries and seek medical attention if you or anyone else is hurt. Get a way to contact the other driver or passengers, as well as their insurance information. Take pictures of the scene.
If You Are a Driver
If you were driving and got hit by an Uber driver, the insurance you can file a claim with depends on the scenario surrounding the accident. All Uber drivers still have private insurance, and most of the time you will likely only be able to file a claim with their own insurance to get compensated. If the other driver was actively working for Uber when the crash occurred, you are then covered under Uber’s $1 million policy for all injuries and damages.
If You Are a Passenger
As an Uber passenger who gets injured in an accident, you have a couple of options that are also dependent on the situation. If the other driver caused the accident, you will have to file your claim with their insurance. On the other hand, if your Uber driver caused the crash, you are covered under Uber’s $1 million policy for injuries. You can bring your claim against Uber to receive compensation that covers up to that amount.
Since Uber is such a large company with a broad coverage policy, it can be difficult to successfully make a claim with them unless your case is rock solid. If they refuse to pay you rightful compensation, you may want to think about hiring a car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN, like from Ward & Ward Law Firm, to learn about your options.