Ridesharing has become a more common thing in the past few years. A company like Uber that has only been around for a decade has grown in both drivers and passengers. Hailing a ride home after a night of drinking or getting a lift to the airport is a snap when you have a smartphone and the Uber app.
What happens if your driver gets in an accident while you’re a paying customer? If you got hurt, and you don’t know how you are going to be able to afford to get the help you need. Understanding how the process of filing a claim in an Uber accident may help ease your stress.
The Driver’s Insurance
All Uber drivers are subjected to extensive background checks. Part of this is a peek into their past driving history. Nothing will get an applicant disqualified faster than previous accident history will. Each driver must also carry insurance and furnish proof back to the company before being allowed to become a contract driver. When you are a passenger in someone else’s car, Uber or not, their insurance should be the one that covers your injuries.
Uber’s Insurance
Uber has insurance that picks up right where their driver’s insurance left off. Once the driver’s benefits are expended, you may still have needs that need to be met or bills that need to be paid. This is when Uber’s $1 million policy swoops in to save the day. While it is not necessarily going to pay the full policy limit, it is there should you need it.
When the Uber Driver Didn’t Cause the Crash
Anytime you see an accident, you may try to guess which car was the one who started it. If you are in an Uber and it gets hit, what happens? When the insurance companies have assigned liability to another driver, you would file an injury claim through that company, not your driver’s insurance. If the at-fault driver does not have sufficient coverage or any coverage, then Uber’s policy takes care of anything that may be wrong.
Your Impact on the Outcome
When the police come to the scene of the accident, they will want to interview all witnesses. Since you are a paying customer and not a relative or friend of the Uber driver, you will likely be considered credible. This means your account of the accident will be weighed heavily by the insurance companies investigating liability. If you were paying attention and can give details about the crash, it may mean the difference between your driver getting off the hook and getting designated as the responsible party.
Whether your driver was wrong or a victim, a car accident lawyer, like an Uber accident lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, is a good resource to consult.
Thank you to the experts at Barry P. Goldberg for their insight into carsharing accidents.