Uber Accidents—What Passengers Need to Know

Uber and similar ride-share applications have become a major mode of transportation among consumers across the country. Every day, residents of Southern California rely on Uber drivers to safely get them from one place to another. But what happens when your driver gets into an accident while you are riding in the car? What if you are seriously injured in the accident? Who is going to compensate you for your financial losses?

Many rideshare customers have no idea what their rights and responsibilities are following an incident. At Taylor & Ring, we strive to keep our clients informed. The following is information you need to know if you are ever involved in a rideshare accident.

Will insurance cover your car accident injuries?

Most rideshare companies provide their drivers with supplemental insurance in addition to their personal insurance policies. This is because most traditional insurance policies will not cover injuries that occur while the driver is acting in a paid capacity. Therefore, if you are injured in the accident, it is unlikely that the driver’s personal policy will reimburse you for your damages.

Uber’s supplemental insurance covers the driver, as well as you as a passenger, according to the Uber website, and coverage amount is “at least $1 million of total liability coverage.” When you are riding as a passenger in the car, you are reportedly covered for injuries stemming from:

• Accidents caused by the driver.
• Accidents caused by third parties.
• Accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured third parties.

There’s no guarantee of compensation for your ride sharing injuries

Even though rideshare drivers are required to carry liability coverage, there is still no guarantee of payment when an accident causes you injury. As with most car crash claims, you may find yourself on the other end of a battle over the legitimacy or cause of your injuries. These are businesses, and they seldom give money away without a fight.

Following the incident, you will likely receive a call from a company representative asking for a statement regarding the accident. Even during this initial communication, legal representation can mean the difference between high-dollar compensation and a denial of coverage.

The rideshare company may assert that their insurance policy does not cover your vehicle operator’s poor driving behaviors or reckless actions. The insurance company may also try to delay payment or offer compensation that is substantially less than the value of your injuries. Trying to handle these negotiations on your own can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to deal with the rideshare agency or its insurance company alone.

If you were injured while utilizing a rideshare service, rely on experienced Los Angeles auto accident attorneys to fight for your rights. Call Taylor & Ring today at 310-776-6390. We also offer an online contact form for your convenience.

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