Senior Partner
Any type of car accident is upsetting. You may be faced with serious and painful injuries that require extensive medical treatment. You could be unable to work and pay bills while you recover. Perhaps most stressful of all is worrying whether the at-fault party will pay for your injuries. At Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C., we take steps to reduce the stress you’re experiencing by advocating for you and your best interests after an accident.
Uber accidents in particular present a unique set of circumstances, but we understand how to demand compensation in these types of wrecks. Here are some steps you need to take if you’ve been involved in an accident with an Uber driver.
Get medical attention and report the accident
Your health should be your top priority after being in an Uber accident. See a doctor right away, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured. Not doing so could jeopardize your health and complicate your legal claim.
You should report the accident as well: first to the police, then to Uber, and then to your insurance company. Call 911 and ask the police to come and generate a police report. This document will contain basic information about the wreck that will later prove useful when you seek monetary compensation for your injuries.
Also report the accident to Uber. If possible, have a copy of the police report when you contact Uber. The rideshare covers its drivers with a liability insurance policy which you may be able to use. However, you should speak with an attorney before contacting Uber.
Finally, if you were in an automobile when the Uber accident occurred, your policy may require you to notify your insurance company. Again, consider talking to a lawyer before talking to your insurance company.
Learn how to use Uber’s insurance coverage
You will need to understand Uber’s insurance coverage so you can take full advantage of the policy. An attorney can assist with this step. Here are the relevant details:
- If the responsible driver worked for Uber and was on the way to pick up a passenger or was transporting a passenger at the time of the accident, Uber’s insurance coverage, in addition to the driver’s insurance coverage, is available to pay for your injuries, pain and suffering. Plus, their no-fault insurance, to pay your lost wages, medical bills and other expenses, will be immediately available.
- If the at-fault Uber driver was on the way to pick up, or had already picked up, a passenger at the time of the accident, depending on the County in which the accident occurred, Uber’s insurance may provide up to $1,000,000.00 of available coverage
- If the Uber app was off (meaning the driver was not working for Uber at the time of the accident), then the driver’s personal insurance policy would apply
If multiple parties were involved, including the Uber driver, multiple insurance policies could be implicated. Accidents like these can be rather complex because the insurers may dispute which one should have to pay, but your lawyer will assist.
Why you need experienced legal counsel
Your attorney will also work with you to document how the accident happened. That includes obtaining copies of your medical records and prepare expert testimony for presentation in court. You can take steps on your own to gather much of the evidence that will be used in your claim, such as taking photos of the accident scene and getting witnesses names, addresses and phone numbers.. Your lawyer will then be able to conduct a thorough investigation and use the photos in court..
A skilled attorney will also be familiar with civil procedure and court rules that govern Uber accident lawsuits. If a settlement can be reached with Uber’s insurance company (and other insurers if needed), that will save you time in court. However, our firm will be prepared to take your case in front of a jury if necessary.
Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. is Here for Your Personal Injury Needs
Retaining legal counsel is arguably the most important step you need to take if you’ve been in an Uber accident. Don’t let Uber, its insurers, and its lawyers deny the fair compensation you deserve. Call us today to get started on your claim.
