As of today, Uber is estimated to have more than 110 million users.
Over 15,000 drivers use their personal vehicles to offer Uber rides in 785 cities around the world and at more than 500 airports. Uber alone offers over one million rides every day and accounts for 70% of the market share in the U.S. for passenger conveyance.
What is Uber?
Uber Technologies Inc. is a transportation network company (TNC) that connects those requiring a ride with freelance drivers via a smartphone application.
The fare, which is agreed upon before the ride, is set based on the quantity of riders, the distance, and type of vehicle.
Unlike taxis that are required to be inspected for safety every so often, only some cities have the same requirement for Uber drivers.
Uber drivers are required to meet age, car age, health, and type requirements, as well as pass a background check.
Drivers are only required to have a standard driver’s license, and they are not considered employees of Uber. The drivers are regarded as independent contractors.
What to do if You Were Hurt in an Uber Accident
There is a huge potential for Uber drivers to become distracted while driving since they use the Uber application on their phones to find customers.
Although Uber claims to evaluate its drivers, there is still a potential for both sub-standard automobiles and drivers to offer rides through the Uber app.
If while riding in an Uber car, your driver is involved in an accident, it should be managed similarly to an accident in a private automobile.
Check for Injuries and Call for Medical Help
First, it is important to stay calm.
You should seek medical attention for anyone who has been injured.
Ask someone to call 911 and wait for the police to arrive.
Make sure that you only give the police facts and not opinions.
You should visit the emergency room to exclude any delayed-onset or internal injuries, even if you do not believe that you suffered any injuries.
It is vital to ask your doctor to provide you with complete and accurate medical documentation of any injuries, as this makes it easier to seek legal compensation for injuries suffered.
Additionally, if possible, take pictures or videos of the crash scene.
You should also consider talking to the driver, as well as any witnesses, and get their contact information.
Collecting evidence helps document injuries and emotional stress caused by the accident, which are essential for seeking compensation.
Uber’s Insurance Policy
Although Uber carries insurance, it is only deemed a secondary insurance.
It can be complicated to find someone who is willing to pay for your Uber accident.
Uber’s insurance company requires that its drivers’ insurance must pay before they pay anything.
However, a majority of the drivers’ auto insurance companies refuse to pay for claims related to commercial activities.
Demonstrating that someone acted negligently is crucial to winning the lawsuit.
It is common for Uber to reject insurance claims.
Thus, in order to bring a lawsuit against Uber and obtain compensation for your injuries, it is vital that you hire a skilled car accident lawyer.
Experienced attorneys can lead you through the complete process and assist you in getting the payment to which you are entitled.
Was the Uber Driver Responsible for the Accident?
In situations in which the Uber driver recklessly caused a crash while they were between transporting passengers but were open to do so, Uber is not obligated to pay as much and will probably attempt to downplay the crash.
However, the driver would be covered by his or her own personal insurance, so the driver can be sued.
If the Uber driver caused the accident, and you have experienced injuries resulting from the negligence of an Uber driver, you should bring a lawsuit against Uber.
Uber’s insurance policy applies from the instant a driver agrees to the customers’ ride request all the way up until the ride is marked finished by the driver.
However, if the Uber driver was not responsible for the accident, you can file a lawsuit against the driver of the other automobile, presumably the at-fault party.
In order to receive compensation, the other driver must have a valid auto insurance policy.
What can You Recover in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
The damages that you can be compensated for include past and future medical bills, past and future pain and suffering, lost income, and loss of future wages.
Typically, insurance agents working for Uber may ask for a statement and put forth a settlement offer.
It is important to refrain from talking to the agents.
Kindly inform them that you will wait until after you talk to an attorney.
There is no requirement for you to say anything to the agents.
Attaining a settlement with the insurance agents usually results in recovering much less in damages than if you had the assistance of an experienced accident attorney.
The insurance agents’ job is to moderate the amount of money paid out by the insurance company.
Therefore, it is important to have an attorney on your side to fight to make sure you are completely compensated for all injuries.
Contact a West Virginia Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured as result if an Uber accident in West Virginia, you require an experienced attorney in Clarksburg who knows the laws relating to ridesharing services.
At Goddard Law , we know that victims usually need expensive medical care.
Moreover, often times victims are unable to work while healing from their injuries.
A combination of physical and emotional pain, as well as financial difficulties, can make life challenging.
Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we must recover compensation for your injuries to receive any legal fees.
With over two decades of combined legal experience and millions of dollars recovered on behalf of our clients, you can trust us to fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
When you want results, you call Goddard Law . To learn more about our Clarksburg injury lawyers can offer you, dial (304) 933-1411 now, or contact us online for a consultation anytime.
