By Uber is becoming popular by the day in the city of Chicago. The service is not only extremely convenient compared to taking a cab or driving yourself around the city, but also cheap and easy to access. That having been said, it is important to keep safety in mind while riding an Uber. Uber drivers get in accidents too and as a passenger who has paid for the ride, you ought to know your rights and protections in the event of a collision. Who is liable for the accident? Who are you submitting your personal injury claim to? What is the maximum amount you can recover in damages?
There is a lot you need to know and this article looks to familiarize you with the aftermath of an Uber accident and everything that is expected of you.
What to do immediately after the accident
Ridesharing operations are still pretty new and accident laws may be a bit complicated for the victims. This is why it is advisable to hire an Uber accident lawyer in Chicago as soon as you can, particularly if you have suffered serious injuries. An attorney will file a claim for you as you receive treatment and recover from your injuries.
The bottom line if you are involved in an Uber accident as a passenger is to receive treatment. This is important both for your wellbeing and for the claim. Your doctor will examine your injuries and provide an in-depth medical report detailing the extent of your injuries, how much they have cost you, and the projected future expenses from, say, follow-up appointments and further treatment. The settlement must cover all these expenses as well as other non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and emotional anguish.
As regards who should compensate you, Uber requires that all their drivers have liability car insurance. The ridesharing company also offers supplemental coverage that can only be used if an accident happens while the Uber driver’s app is switched on. When the app is off, both the passenger and the driver are covered by the driver’s personal car insurance.
If the accident happens anywhere between the time the Uber driver accepts a passenger’s request and the time they exit the Uber, the passenger is covered by Uber’s million dollar liability and uninsured/underinsured policies, which don’t take into consideration the party at fault for the accident. If an uninsured or underinsured third party driver injures you after you have requested for an Uber and before you exit it, Uber will compensate you for your injuries.
That said, Uber’s drivers are not considered the company’s employees, meaning the company is quite within its rights to deny liability for the actions of their drivers. If an accident leads to damages that exceed Uber’s $1 million limit, the difference may have to be covered by the drivers own car insurance.
Summary
There is little you can do as an Uber passenger to prevent an accident from occurring, but there is definitely a lot you can do to ensure you are compensated for your losses. Be sure to involve a seasoned attorney in your case for a quicker procedure and proper representation in case the case goes to court.
