If you don’t own a car in Houston, you can still get around the city by taking advantage of Uber ridesharing. While ridesharing can be convenient, it is a lot less convenient when the driver of a vehicle gets into a car accident.
If you are injured in an Uber accident, getting fair compensation for your injuries can be more difficult than in other types of car accidents. An Uber accident lawyer will fight to hold the appropriate drivers responsible, so you can get the compensation you need.
Understanding Liability in Rideshare Accidents
In most car accidents, the only potentially liable parties are the drivers of the cars involved in the accident.
However, Uber accidents are less like a car accident and more like a truck accident. This is because there is a third party that often holds some liability — Uber.
Since the Uber driver is an independent contractor working for Uber, the company is at least partially liable for the accident. This relationship is similar to the relationship that truck drivers have with trucking companies.
Our Uber accident lawyers analyze the details of your accident to determine which party is liable. This speeds up the insurance and legal processes.
Investigating the Accident Thoroughly
Gathering evidence in an Uber accident is a bit more complicated than in traditional passenger vehicle accidents. Our Uber accident attorneys need to obtain evidence like trip data and driver records from Uber, in addition to the usual evidence collected in car accidents.
Navigating Complex Insurance Claims
The Uber insurance policy grants drivers fluctuating insurance coverage, depending on what duties they are performing. If a driver isn’t currently “on the clock,” Uber does not provide insurance. Instead, the driver is covered by their insurance policy.
When a driver is “on the clock,” they might be covered by one of two different policies. If they are en route to pick up a driver or transporting a driver, Uber provides at least $1 million in coverage to passengers in the car and other vehicles in an accident. However, if the driver is waiting for a fare, that coverage drops considerably to $100,000 at most.
Proving Negligence and Recklessness
Uber is only liable for your injuries if the driver was negligent or reckless. Your attorney will use the evidence gathered to prove that the Uber driver’s actions caused the accident. The more proof they can present, the more likely the insurance company is to agree to a higher settlement.
Handling Claims Against Uber and Third Parties
Uber and its insurance company have an army of lawyers and bureaucrats fighting for it. You shouldn’t try to navigate these claims without help. Choose a legal team that has decades of experience dealing with corporate insurance companies and knows how to best proceed.
Maximizing Compensation for Injuries and Damages
Before entertaining a settlement offer, document every injury you suffered. This documentation makes it easier to negotiate for fair damages in your claim. Rideshare accident attorneys have experience preserving evidence like medical bills, lost wage information, and proof of pain and suffering.
Protecting Your Rights Throughout the Legal Process
After you are injured in an Uber accident, you will need to make many decisions that will significantly impact your health and finances. These choices are important, so make every effort to ensure that you only make informed decisions.
FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit Against Uber in Texas?
You have two years after the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against Uber in Texas. If you don’t file your lawsuit in time, it will be dismissed by the presiding judge. Skilled lawyers will help you determine how much time you have left and will ensure you file your lawsuit in time, provided you’ve hired them in time.
Why Is It Important to Hire a Lawyer After an Uber Accident in Houston?
An insurance claim against rideshare companies like Uber typically goes through corporate insurance. Corporate insurance companies are infamous for undervaluing claims of injured parties. That’s why it’s essential to work with an experienced Uber accident attorney who can go toe-to-toe with insurers in negotiations or at trial.
How Much Will an Uber Accident Lawyer Charge to Represent Me?
The amount your lawyer receives depends on how much money they obtain for you. If, for any reason, a lawyer isn’t able to obtain compensation for you and you have a contingency fee arrangement, they won’t charge you for their services.
However, if the attorney does help you receive compensation through a settlement or trial, their fee would be a percentage of the money that was obtained for you.
Contact an Uber Accident Lawyer at the Ramsey Law Group Today
Typically, if you get into an accident, you only have to deal with your insurance company and the insurance company of the other driver. However, when an Uber driver is involved, you may also have to deal with a corporate insurer and Uber representatives.
While the impressively large size of an Uber insurance policy can be helpful, especially if you suffer serious injuries, the extra bureaucracy can make getting compensation much more difficult. Lawyers at Ramsey Law Group have experience working with corporate insurance companies.
If you want to protect your rights after an Uber accident, contact our law firm as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation.