In different states, people rely on Uber to get around different places. This mode of transportation is convenient since you can enjoy a safer ride to any place. Unfortunately, Uber accidents can happen, and they can turn your rideshare into a nightmare if you suffer injuries. If you are hurt in an Uber crash, you are eligible to demand compensation for the injuries. However, Uber’s liability can be a complicated legal issue since it involves different things. Read on to learn what you need to do if you are injured while riding an Uber.
Seek Medical Treatment
If you are injured while riding in an Uber, you should try to seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Some injuries in a car accident are not immediately apparent, but they can manifest later. You must visit the emergency room to get a medical examination to prevent delayed treatment of internal injuries. You also need to request a medical report from the healthcare provider so that you can use it when you seek compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies rely on a medical report to determine the benefits that you deserve for injuries.
Document Everything
You should collect all the evidence at the accident scene that you can use to support your compensation claim. Ideally, you can use your phone to capture photos and videos at the crash site. You also need to ask for insurance information of the Uber driver and other contact details of eyewitnesses. You can also write a diary of the details that you get from the witnesses.
Seek Legal Advice
Recovering benefits for injuries sustained in an Uber accident can be challenging. While Uber has liability insurance, the driver’s insurance must pay first. Proving negligence even if the driver is to blame for the accident is tricky since there are many things considered. Likewise, it is crucial to enlist the services of a skilled Uber accident lawyer to help you get the settlement you deserve. They can help you understand the complexities of the law and your rights as an Uber passenger. Professional injury attorneys at Custodio & Dubey Lawyers explain that accident victims need time to recover from their injuries. Therefore, if you hire a proficient lawyer, you can get peace of mind since these lawyers have experience in dealing with rideshare accident cases.
File a Compensation Claim
With assistance from your lawyer, you should file a compensation claim. However, the question here is who is liable for the accident: Uber or the driver? This is where the compensation claim process can become complex since Uber indicates that it does not employ drivers. In other words, the drivers are independent contractors, so you need to establish liability first to be able to demand compensation from the right party. If the driver caused the accident, you can pursue them and demand compensation for your injuries.
However, there are exceptions where Uber can share responsibility with the driver in an accident. For instance, if the rideshare company violates state laws in hiring a driver who caused an accident that hurt you, you can sue Uber for damages. The Uber driver must be logged into the rideshare company’s mobile application for coverage to apply. Uber is regulated by state law under the transportation network (TNCs). The TNC should provide coverage that can reach up to $1million per passenger in a vehicle.
Benefits you can get After an Uber Accident
An Uber accident can leave you with injuries just like any other vehicle accident. The settlement that you may get covers the following: medical expenses, lost wages and earning potential, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of quality life, pain, and suffering. You must remember the statute of limitations when you file a compensation claim, or else you lose your legal rights to get benefits. You need to check in your state the period of the statute of limitation.
Uber is a convenient mode of transportation that helps people to get to different places. The only problem with rideshare can arise when you are involved in an accident and get injured. While you are entitled to get compensation like other car accident claims, an Uber accident is a bit different. Uber does not employ drivers but contractors that must pay accident victims compensation. Since the claim procedure is complex, there are certain things that you need to do right away if you are harmed in an Uber accident. Getting medication is important no matter the severity of your injury and document the evidence that you may need to support your claim. More importantly, you must enlist the services of a professional personal injury lawyer to help you pursue your claim.