Can You Sue Uber for an Accident?

Uber routinely advertises its ridesharing service as providing both quality and safety to users. However, accident data indicates there are in fact significant risks when someone uses a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft.

For example, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business examined available accident data, Uber accident statistics, and other relevant data points and concluded that the arrival of Uber and Lyft on roads and highways actually resulted in a 3 percent increase in total auto accident deaths. This means that Uber and/or Lyft vehicles are involved in around 1,000 deadly auto accidents each and every day.

Auto Insurance Coverage for Uber Operators

One of the key factors in assessing the viability of a personal injury claim after a serious auto accident is the extent of available auto insurance coverage (typically coupled with an assessment of liability).

If an Uber driver caused the accident that led to your injuries, but was waiting for a ride request, then Uber typically offers liability coverage of up to $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident plus $25,000 in property damage.

If an Uber driver caused the accident that led to your injuries, and was on their way to pick up a passenger (or they already had a passenger in the vehicle), then liability insurance coverage increases to $1,000,000 plus certain other benefits.

What To Do If You are Involved In an Uber Accident

If you were hurt in an Uber accident in Texas, consider taking the following actions in the wake of the collision (if you are physically able):

• Report The Accident: Try to report the accident to law enforcement, your auto insurance carrier, and Uber. Notifying law enforcement is especially important since there will typically be an “accident report” generated by the police officer, or officers, who arrive at the scene of a car crash.
• Seek Medical Assistance: Even if you don’t immediately feel pain after an accident, this does not necessarily mean you avoided a serious injury. You may have suffered internal damage that won’t be noticeable for hours or days after the accident. This is why it is so important to seek medical attention after a car crash.
• Document What Happened: Take photographs of the accident scene and write down your experience of what transpired.
• Collect Relevant Information: Try to write down the names of the other people involved in the accident, including the other driver, any injured parties, and any witnesses who saw what happened.
• Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer in Texas: An experienced and knowledgeable Texas personal injury lawyer can assist in possibly negotiating a sizable settlement for you, depending on the specific circumstances of your situation and the extent of your harms and losses. If necessary, an Uber accident lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit. More than anyone else, your lawyer should know what to do in an Uber accident.

Can You Sue Uber for an Accident When an Under-Insured Motorist is Involved?

If you are involved in a car accident in Texas, the mere fact that the other driver has auto insurance does not necessarily mean their coverage is sufficient. Texas minimum liability insurance limits are so low that there is a real risk your harms and losses can quickly exceed the available insurance coverage.

However, if an at-fault driver’s insurance policy is exhausted, you may be able to rely on an Uber or Lyft “Under-Insured Policy,” often referred to as UIM. This insurance coverage is triggered once the at-fault driver’s insurance is exhausted.

Can You Sue Uber for an Accident If You Were a Passenger?

Answer: Generally, yes.

If you were a passenger in an Uber and suffered a serious bodily injury in an accident caused by the Uber operator, you likely have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim (depending on your specific circumstances).

Recoverable Harms and Losses Against Uber

If you were injured in an Uber accident, you may be able to recover financial restitution for your harms and losses. Examples of forms of financial restitution you may be able to pursue include:

• Immediate and Long-Term Medical Expenses: Depending on the severity of the collision, you may have spent some time in a hospital emergency room or intensive care unit. You may have even needed surgery. You may also have follow-up doctor visits or take prescription medication for your injuries. These medical costs can be pursued through an Uber accident injury claim.
• Lost Income: If your bodily injuries forced you to take a significant amount of time off from work in order to recover, you may be able to seek reimbursement for your lost wages. If you are unable to return to work or have to accept a job that pays less than your previous job, you may also be able to recover for future lost earnings and/or diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: Severe injuries are known to cause physical, psychological, and emotional trauma. As a result, you may qualify for recovery for noneconomic damages such as inconvenience, embarrassment, inability to sleep, and so forth.

Advice for What To Do When Involved in an Uber Accident

If you suffer a serious injury in an Uber accident, here are some tips and pieces of advice for what will likely follow in the wake of the collision:

• Be proactive and schedule a no-cost consultation with an experienced Texas auto accident lawyer.
• Make sure to obtain a copy of the police report.
• File a claim with the appropriate auto insurance carrier.
• Stay on top of your injury claim (or hire a lawyer and let them take this responsibility off your shoulders).
• Never settle for less than what your claim is worth. Consider retaining the services of a skilled and reputable auto accident lawyer if you are not sure how much your claim is worth.

Badly Injured in a Car Accident Caused by an Uber Driver in Texas? Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer with Slack Davis Sanger

If you or a loved one suffered a serious bodily injury in a car accident caused by an Uber driver or Lyft driver, it is critically important for you to retain effective and experienced legal counsel to protect your rights and pursue the financial restitution you are owed for your harms and losses.

At Slack Davis Sanger, our team of savvy and seasoned Texas auto accident attorneys know how to put together a strong case on your behalf. When another person’s negligence, including an Uber or Lyft driver, alters your life and causes you significant harm in a preventable accident, our law firm is here to help. To schedule a free, confidential consultation at one of our offices in Austin, Dallas, or Fort Worth, please call 800-455-8686 or fill out a quick contact form.