Who is Liable After an Uber Crash?

Uber has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. The company has now achieved that grandest of milestones – its name has become a verb. We now think nothing of 'booking an Uber' to get us from one place to another. For those living in urban and metropolitan areas, the extensive coverage of the Uber network is a real boon, and their reach is growing by the day.

As great as the concept of Uber is, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Some have expressed concerns about when, if ever, the business will be profitable. A tragic incident last month involving one of Uber's self-driving cars resulted in the death of a woman. Subsequent investigation has shown that the pedestrian was at fault, but the failure of the vehicle, or its human driver, to intervene and stop highlights the potential dangers.

Fortunately, incidents like this are rare. However, car crashes do happen, and if you are in an Uber car when it crashes, you may well wonder whether you have any legal rights or recourse. Similarly, if you are in a collision with an Uber vehicle while driving or riding in another vehicle, you might want to know if the same rules apply.

If you are injured as a passenger in an Uber vehicle because of someone else's negligent behavior, you can seek compensation for those injuries. In most states, Uber is categorized along with other public transportation companies. Both drivers and passengers are, therefore, subject to the laws and regulations that apply to these services.

If you are injured in an incident involving an Uber, and you believe that the incident arose because of someone else's malice or negligence, you should look for a lawyer who specializes in Uber claims.

If you yourself are an Uber driver, and you are looking to ascertain your liability in various situations, we can help with that too! Let's take a quick look at the liability of an Uber driver and the insurance they need.

Uber's drivers are covered to the tune of $1 million in liability, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This insurance means that victims who are injured because of a driver's negligence can recoup the costs of their medical care, lost income, etc.

From the moment that an Uber driver accepts a passenger request, they are covered by this insurance until the passenger has been successfully dropped off. When a driver is logged on to Uber, but not currently answering a request, they are covered by their personal auto insurance. When they accept the passenger's trip and are on the way to them, they will be covered by contingent liability insurance as well. When the passenger is riding in the car, commercial insurance coverage kicks in.

Whether you are an Uber driver or a regular passenger, you need to understand what the situation is regarding liability for collisions and injuries. If you or a loved one is injured because of a negligent Uber driver, contact a lawyer today to see if you can claim compensation.