Can I Sue After an Accident Involving Uber?
Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing services are widely available across Texas and the United States. In fact, Uber first came to Angelina County in late 2017. While these services are useful for getting around after a night of drinking, or if you don’t have your own car, they can also be dangerous. Uber has attracted criticism for hiring dangerous or unqualified drivers.
There are reports of recent accidents involving Uber drivers. Accidents involving this company and other ridesharing companies have been widely documented by the press over the past several years.
If you or a loved one suffer harm as an Uber passenger, then your ability to recover compensation for your injuries will depend on the circumstances. Liability can be tricky with ridesharing companies because of the way they classify their drivers. Drivers are classified as independent contractors, not employees.
Uber has a primary insurance policy through James River Insurance Company, but it only applies during certain situations. For this policy to be active, the Uber driver has to be available and transporting passengers at the time of the accident. The policy is also active in cases where the accident involves an uninsured driver. Coverage may also extend to third parties, such as cyclists, pedestrians or other motorists in certain situations.
Uber drivers may also have coverage options if they are carrying passengers at the time of the accident. The driver may receive some coverage if he or she has the Uber app set to accept passengers, but is not carrying passengers at the time of the accident.
Injured passengers and drivers may also be able to file a claim against the motorist responsible for causing the accident. In some cases, an at-fault driver may be working for an employer, meaning the employer could also be liable for damages.
Contact Our Texas Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
As you can see, car accident compensation is not always easy to understand. This is especially true in cases that involve ridesharing companies. We have a page on our website that discusses why car accident compensation can be difficult to determine. This is why most accident victims will run into problems trying to handle insurance companies on their own.
Fortunately, the Texas car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC have extensive experience handling auto accident cases. We also have resources on our website that can help you avoid making mistakes with insurance companies after an accident. You can reach us for a free consultation by calling (936) 632-2000 or by using our online case review form.