What Should I Know About Uber Accidents?

Uber app

Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft serve as a solid mode of transportation for thousands of Californians. Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are always possible, and Uber/Lyft drivers are no exception. If you’ve been injured in a Uber accident, you may be wondering who is liable. Read on or reach out to a San Mateo County, California Uber Accident Lawyer to find out more about Uber accidents.

WHAT ARE COMMON CAUSES OF UBER ACCIDENTS?

Uber/Lyft accidents are often caused by the same issues that lead to most car accidents, such as distracted driving. These issues can be referred to as driver’s negligence, meaning the driver fails their duty to practice safe habits to avoid harm to others. Some examples of hazards by negligent Uber drivers are:

  • Looking at a phone while driving
  • Taking eyes off the road
  • Speeding
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Ignoring traffic signs
  • Failing to keep the vehicle maintained
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

If your Uber driver was negligent and caused a car accident in which you got injured, you may have a liability claim.

DOES UBER HAVE LIABILITY COVERAGE?

While Uber accidents can be similar to regular car accidents, they are still treated differently in the legal world. Both Uber and Lyft have liability systems in the event of an accident. Uber may provide some liability coverage if you are injured in an Uber accident. However, not all Uber accidents are eligible for coverage from the company.

The circumstances of the accident, namely the cause of the accident, will directly impact whether or not you’ll receive coverage. It also depends on if the Uber driver was logged into the app at the time of the accident. If the accident occurred before the Uber driver logged into the app, you may not receive coverage. Likely, you’ll need to file a suit against the Uber driver’s private insurance company instead. In other words, Uber cannot be found liable if the driver was not actively using the app when the accident occurred.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN UBER ACCIDENT?

The first step after any car accident is to call the police to file a report. The police will take statements from all involved parties to figure out what caused the accident. If you were injured, you should keep hospital reports detailing your injury, as you may need these for a liability claim. If the accident was caused by a negligent Uber driver and you were directly injured in the accident, you should receive some type of liability coverage from Uber. You should also contact a seasoned Uber accident lawyer to guide you through the liability process.

If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident, we want to help you! Contact the Law Offices of Allister R. Liao today for quality legal counseling.

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