Managing Partner
Uber has made it easier than ever to catch a ride virtually anywhere, any time you need it. But with this convenience comes a price: serious accidents that can injure various individuals, including the passenger.
Were you injured as an Uber passenger in a Long Island accident? If so, it’s important that you understand your legal rights, how to win compensation, and which steps you should take next. The dedicated personal injury lawyers of Dell & Dean PLLC are ready to guide you.
Understanding Your Rights After an Accident
Being in a car crash can mean major medical bills, lost time from work, and significant pain and suffering, among other losses. You have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and to work with an experienced attorney.
Depending on the details of your accident, you may have the right to seek compensation to cover:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost income-earning ability (future income)
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Personal property damage
You also have the right to retain legal representation, and that’s a right you should exercise before speaking with any insurance companies – even your own. Insurers will routinely use a victim’s words against them to try to deny or underpay their claim.
Does Uber Have Insurance Coverage for Passenger Victims?
Uber does provide insurance coverage in certain circumstances. In other cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy could cover the crash. Whether and to what extent Uber’s insurance will pay for your losses depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash:
- If the Uber app was off when the accident happened: The driver’s personal insurance policy will need to cover the damages.
- If the app was on but no ride had been accepted, and the driver is waiting for a ride request: Uber provides limited liability coverage of $50,000 injury per person/$100,000 injury per accident/$25,000 property damage.
- If the app was on and the driver was en route to pick up or was transporting a passenger: Uber offers up to $1 million in liability coverage for injury and property damage.
This makes it extremely important to determine what exactly the driver was doing when the wreck happened. Your Long Island personal injury attorney can take the steps necessary to obtain this information.
Other Coverage Options Besides Uber
Whether Uber covers your losses or not, you may have other coverage options depending on the details of the accident. Some possible options include:
- MedPay/Personal Injury Protection (PIP): These offer limited payments for medical expenses and (in the case of PIP) medical expenses and lost income.
- The Uber driver’s insurance policy: This will apply if the app was off at the time of the accident.
- Another driver’s insurance policy: The insurer of a third-party motorist who negligently caused the crash could be responsible:
- A vehicle manufacturer: If a defect caused the crash, for example a vehicle’s brakes, the manufacturer may be held liable.
There may be other parties as well. Having an experienced Long Island car accident lawyer is critical to identifying all parties who could be responsible for your losses.
Your Next Steps
If you were involved in an Uber accident, the steps you take next will have a major effect on your rights and compensation moving forward. Our legal team suggests you do the following:
- Call 911 and report the accident: This is an important step in documenting the accident. Police will come to the scene of the wreck and generate a report that will be helpful to your claim later.
- Get immediate medical attention: Even if you think your injuries are minor, let a doctor evaluate you. Failure to do so could jeopardize your health and your legal rights.
- Document the accident scene: Take pictures and record videos of the accident scene and of your injuries. Make notes about the events leading up to the crash.
- Identify all parties involved: To the extent you can, get the names, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle details of all parties involved in the wreck.
- Get eyewitness contact information: If there were any eyewitnesses to the wreck, get their names and contact information. Find out if they recorded video of the accident on a dashcam or otherwise.
- Report the accident to Uber: You can use the Uber app or go on their website. Report only the basic facts and don’t speculate about your injuries or how the accident happened.
- Hire a knowledgeable Long Island personal injury lawyer: Do this at your earliest convenience. Your attorney should handle all communications with the insurance companies and work to win you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Get Started Now With Dell & Dean PLLC
Were you or a loved one hurt in a Long Island Uber crash? If so, don’t neglect to exercise your right to hire legal counsel. Connect with our office today to schedule your initial consultation.
