It’s Friday night. You’re in an Uber on your way to meet friends, and suddenly, the vehicle is struck at an intersection. You’re injured and in shock. You may ask yourself: What do you do when your Uber crashes? Who’s responsible? Will my insurance cover my injuries?
With the rideshare services market hitting $54 billion in the United States, and one-third of rideshare drivers being involved in a crash while working, these situations are becoming more common these days. Unfortunately, many injured passengers don’t know their rights or how much coverage is available to them.
If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident, this guide will tell you what to do if your Uber crashes, and what you need to know about liability, insurance, and pursuing compensation.
You’re Protected By Mandatory Insurance
The good news is that Uber rideshare drivers have plenty of insurance, but it differs by state, as you can see here in the specific Georgia laws and regulations. However, there are different coverage rates based on whether you are a passenger or not:
When the Driver Has the App On (But No Passenger)
If the Uber driver is online but hasn’t accepted a ride, Uber provides $50,000 per person, $25,000 for property damages, and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage.
When You’re a Passenger
Once a ride is accepted, Uber activates a $1,000,000 liability policy and a $100,000 underinsured motorist (UM) policy. This protects you even if the crash was caused by another driver.
This policy from Uber also goes into effect even when the driver accepts a ride, but has not yet picked up the passenger.
How Does Underinsured Motorist Coverage Work?
UM is a type of insurance that you buy from your own insurance company. UM kicks in if the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage is not high enough to fully compensate you (or doesn’t exist at all) for any injuries suffered by the at-fault driver’s negligence.
Importantly, you must obtain all the money from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage before recovering from your UM. In other words, when it comes to personal injuries, you have to get all of the insurance that the at-fault driver has before you can ask your insurance company for money.
Real-Life Scenario
Let’s explore the following scenario: you are heading to a night out with your friends and decide to be responsible and take an Uber because you may have an alcoholic beverage—or six. While in an Uber, a reckless driver runs a red light, smashes into the side of the vehicle, and you suffer serious injuries.
The reckless driver only has $25,000 in insurance coverage (the minimum in a lot of states), and the cost of your medical bills alone exceeds that amount. How does Uber’s insurance come into play in this scenario?
Uber has $100,000 in insurance coverage because you were a passenger while another car hit the Uber (it would be $1,000,000 if the Uber caused the accident). Uber’s insurance will kick in after the at-fault driver’s insurance has paid its $25,000, and only if you receive the entire $25,000. This is part of what makes rideshare insurance unique—and why it’s so important to work with experienced Uber accident injury lawyers who know what to do if your Uber crashes.
Are You an Uber Driver? Here’s What You Need to Know
Driving for Uber puts you on the front lines of road risk, with statistics showing that about one in three rideshare drivers will be involved in a crash at some point.
But many drivers don’t realize that their personal auto insurance likely won’t cover them while they’re working. If you’re using your car for commercial purposes like ridesharing, your regular policy won’t apply unless you’ve purchased specific rideshare coverage.
Our tip: You can and should get rideshare coverage through your insurance.
The good news is that as an Uber driver, you may qualify for up to $100,000 in uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This is a crucial layer of protection if you’re hit by someone without insurance or with too little of it. But tapping into that coverage (and proving eligibility) can be tricky without legal support.
If you’ve been in an accident while driving for Uber, don’t assume you’re stuck footing the bill. You may have far more protection than you think. Our Uber accident injury lawyers know how to navigate the fine print of rideshare policies and work for the full compensation you’re entitled to.
Steps You Should Take if Your Uber Crashes
Immediately after a crash, prioritize your safety and then:
- Call 911
- Get medical help
- Take photos of the accident scene
- Collect driver and witness info
- Contact a qualified ridesharing accident lawyer
What to Do if Your Uber Crashes? Call Mike Rafi.
Regardless of how much insurance coverage is available to injured persons, insurance companies want to pay as little as possible to compensate injured victims. So, they often make lowball offers to unrepresented parties simply because they can. Therefore, if you have been injured while riding in an Uber, it is important to contact an experienced injury attorney.
Mike Rafi is the ridesharing accident lawyer you need in your corner to guide you through the complicated legal process after you have been injured in an Uber. At Rafi Law Firm, we have settled over $150 million in personal injury cases like yours and aren’t afraid of big names like Uber or Lyft.
We also want to be with you every step of the way, so we are available 24/7 and continue to stay in touch throughout your case.
What should you do if your Uber crashes? Start the road to recovery by submitting a free case evaluation below.
