How do Uber Accidents happen?
Uber accidents happen in many ways, and at the Law Offices of Steers & Associates, we understand that the circumstances of the accident will impact your legal strategy.- Pickup/Drop-off: When picking up and dropping off, Uber users are vulnerable to getting hit by other cars. Uber policy is to drop off riders at a safe and permissible location, however, this doesn’t always happen and a rider will step out of the car and into traffic.
- En Route: Accidents happen every day on the city streets, and when an Uber passenger is en route, they are at risk just like everyone out on the road.
- Without Passenger: When an Uber doesn’t have a passenger, he or she is still out on the streets and at risk for being involved in an accident. The addition of all ride-share vehicles to the city streets increases the risk of an accident.
Can I Sue Uber Directly?
When someone is injured by an Uber car, it’s important to understand where the compensation will come from. A typical passenger car driver has an auto insurance policy and will cover any damages caused by the driver in an accident. Uber has a $1 million insurance policy for any accidents for which the company is negligent. However, this coverage doesn’t apply to every accident an Uber driver gets into. So the question is when does the $1 million policy kick in? The key is, that the company is only liable when the Uber driver is doing company things. Uber drivers are contractors, not employees, so they are not always doing company business. California law requires Uber drivers to have $50,000 bodily injury liability for each person and a $100,000 limit for each accident.Not On Duty
If the driver is not on duty, meaning not available for a pick-up, then Uber has zero-liability and the insurance of the Uber driver’s personal insurance is in play. This happens when the driver is doing personal errands or just driving without being logged onto the app.Available but No Passenger
California’s Uber minimum insurance requirement starts once an Uber driver logs onto an app thus making themselves available for reservations. This means that the driver has $50,000 in liability coverage for one person and $100,00 total for each accident.Available and With Passenger
If the driver is on a run with a passenger then Uber’s $1 million policy will be used to cover all damages. The injured person still files against the driver, but if a jury awards any damages, Uber will pay them. Typically, once a passenger steps out of the Uber vehicle, he or she is no longer covered by Uber’s $1 million policy because the ride is over.Uber Injuries
In some ways, Uber accident injuries are the same as in a typical car accident. However, given the practices of Uber—especially in picking up and dropping off—there are certain injuries common to Uber accidents:- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Severe Concussions
- Wrist Fractures
- Broken Arms/Legs
- Chest Compressions
- Internal Injuries/Bleeding
