Uber has changed the way Texas residents and visitors alike travel, leading fewer people to use city buses and putting more individual cars on the road. The comfort and convenience of an Uber car arriving at the swipe of a cell phone app are undeniably attractive.
Fortunately, most Uber trips end in a safe arrival, but it only takes a single careless or reckless moment in an Uber for a passenger or motorist in another vehicle to suffer serious or life-altering injuries. An Uber accident attorney in Addison can’t erase your injuries, but can help you recover compensation to reduce the financial strain caused by the accident.
What Damages Can I Recover In a Successful Uber Accident Claim In Addison?
As a passenger injured in an Uber accident, you are never liable for the accident-related damages. If you were driving another vehicle involved in an Uber accident, the rideshare insurer may try to shift liability to you. Hiring an Addison car accident lawyer after an Uber accident defends against these tactics and maximizes your chances of fully recovering compensation for damages such as the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Compensation for pain and suffering
In some cases, additional compensation covers catastrophic injury damages like loss of limb, permanent scarring, loss of vision, hearing loss, organ loss, or diminished quality of life.
Is Uber Liable for Damages After an Uber Accident In Addison, TX?
Uber protects itself from direct liability in most accident cases by using independent contractors as drivers rather than hired employees. Instead, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft require drivers to carry specialized rideshare insurance. The amount of coverage available for Uber accident injuries depends on the stage of the rideshare experience at the time of the crash. For instance:
- When an accident happens as the Uber driver uses their car for private purposes, their personal auto insurance policy is in place
- If the accident happens while they have their app turned on but haven’t yet scheduled a passenger, the lower tier of coverage is in place, with up to $25,000 for property damage, $50,000 per person for personal injury coverage, or $100,000 total coverage per accident
- When an accident happens after booking a passenger, on the way to the pickup location, or during the ride with the passenger, the top level of coverage is in place, with up to $1 million in coverage available
Uber accident cases are complex due to the injury victim’s burden of proving the at-fault party’s liability and the separate insurance policies that may leave insurance adjusters pointing fingers at others and denying, delaying, or undervaluing claims. An Addison personal injury attorney will build your case and handle negotiations with insurance companies.
Are Uber Rides More Likely to End In an Accident?
A major university study suggests a 3% or more overall increase in traffic accidents since the rise of the rideshare industry. Uber drivers may take unnecessary risks due to the financial incentive to complete as many rides as possible per shift. They may also be stressed or tired, especially those who use rideshare as a second source of income or between college classes. The most common causes of Uber accidents in Addison include the following:
- Speeding or driving too fast for the road and weather conditions
- Distracted driving, while using their rideshare app or GPS technology
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Tailgating
- Improper passing
- Unsafe lane changes or weaving through traffic
- Improper merging
- Impaired driving
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, another party may be at fault other than the Uber driver, including another driver, a negligent road maintenance agency, or the manufacturer of a defective tire or auto part.
How Can an Uber Accident Attorney Help Me?
An Uber accident claim can feel overwhelming when you are also dealing with serious injuries and the painful recovery process. Instead of leaving your crucial claim in the hands of an insurance adjuster who is not on your side, contact the Addison Uber accident law firm of GreeningLaw P.C.