13 Apr Your Uber Was Involved in an Accident – Now What?

You were doing the responsible thing. Instead of trying to drive home after you went to the bar, you opened the Uber app and called someone to pick you up. You got in, buckled up, and waited for your driver to get you where you were going. Then, while they were trying to turn a corner, they got hit. Worse, they got hit hard. While you were able to walk away from the accident in one piece, you were definitely hurt in the process. But you were in an Uber… so what does that mean for you?

Well, it means you need to file a personal injury claim.

Contrary to Popular Belief, Uber Drivers Have Insurance

Uber has been around for some time, and one of the common misconceptions people have of them is that the drivers either must use their personal insurance when something happens, or that if an Uber driver is involved in an accident that they have no recourse. In reality, Uber provides insurance for its drivers while they’re working for the company, as Fortune points out. So, if something happens while an Uber driver is on the clock, then that accident is Uber’s responsibility.

Which means that if you were injured as part of an accident while you were a passenger, then your injuries are also Uber’s responsibility. Hence why you should file a claim, and make sure you are properly taken care of.

It Works A Lot Like Any Other Insurance

The first thing you need to do if you are injured in an accident is to receive treatment. This both makes sure your injuries are seen to, and it creates a record of what state you were in just after the accident. This ties your injuries directly to the accident, and it documents what happened in a way the insurance company is going to want to see.

Once you’ve been taken care of, you need to contact Uber, and inform them that you were the passenger in an accident. Have your details on hand in case they ask, but the company will likely forward your information to their insurance, who will contact you in a few days. At that point you need to provide the company with your details, inform them what happened, and make them aware of their responsibilities. And, under ideal circumstances, they will handle your case from there.

“Under Ideal Circumstances” Is the Keyword, Here

While Uber does have a responsibility to the passengers who are injured when their drivers get into accidents, it’s important to remember that the company has been notorious about trying to distance itself from responsibility when it comes to the negative aspects of their business model. Such as how, in the past, they tried to get drivers to cover accidents with their personal insurance policies before they would take responsibility for accidents that happened while drivers were on the job.

So, it’s entirely possible that Uber, its insurance company, or both, will try to resist paying out for your claim. Which is why it’s often a good idea to consult an attorney if you feel you’re being ignored, or the company is simply waiting for you to give up on getting them to take responsibility. If you have an attorney, though, they’ll be able to act on your behalf. They can contact the right people, and if necessary file the right paperwork to get the courts involved in deciding your case.

No one wants to have to take those steps, but unfortunately, it’s sometimes necessary in order to get compensation for your injuries when you’re a passenger in an accident.