Being headquartered in San Francisco, Uber has become incredibly popular in California since it became a transportation network company in 2013. Uber arrived in Visalia on December 1, 2014, and people use it to get picked up at the Amtrak station or dropped off at Sequoia National Park or just for a trip out to a nearby restaurant.
If you were injured as an Uber driver, an Uber passenger, or in a vehicle which was involved in a collision with an Uber vehicle, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
How People Use Uber.
Becoming an Uber customer is easy. Go to the company’s website, and enter your email address and phone number. After that, you create a password and agree to the company’s terms and conditions. Then, provide your name and preferred language. A message will be sent to your phone number, and you can enter a credit or debit card number to be billed against for your rides. A confirmatory email will be sent, and you’ll be able to use the Uber app whenever you need a ride. That’s all fine and simple until such time as you’re seriously injured in an Uber accident.
After an Uber Accident.
Call 911
Don’t depend on an Uber driver or anybody else to call police and paramedics to the scene on your behalf. If at all possible, speak with a 911 operator yourself, and confirm that they have been dispatched to the scene. Without a police investigation of the accident and written report, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to receive any compensation at all for your injuries.
When You’re an Uber Passenger
Under these circumstances, regardless of who was at fault for the accident, there is up to $1 million of Uber’s liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If the accident was caused by another driver, his or her insurance will likely be the primary target for obtaining compensation for your injuries. You’ll want to be treated and cared for at an emergency room immediately. Whether you’re admitted for your injuries or not, contact us right away after that.
When You’re Another Driver, Bicyclist or Pedestrian
The same advice applies as to contacting 911. You might not be covered under Uber’s $1 million of liability coverage, so ask the investigating police officer to get both Uber’s insurance information and the driver’s own personal insurance information too. That’s because a genuine issue might exist as to which insurer might be providing coverage for the crash. Paramedics can transport you to an emergency room. If you’re not admitted to a hospital, contact us immediately after that. We can sort out the coverage issue.
When You’re a Driver for Uber
An Uber driver’s personal injury claim is likely to be more complicated than that of a passenger or somebody else. Drivers will want to follow the same advice. Call for police and paramedics, and get to an emergency room right away. Then, contact our offices immediately.
Uber and Insurance:
Any personal injury accident case has its complexities. What complicates Uber accidents even more is the status of the Uber driver at the time of the accident. That’s because the driver’s status at that instant determines whether his or her own insurance or Uber’s insurance covers the accident. With an accident involving an Uber vehicle, there are three distinct time periods that control insurance coverage. Those follow:
- Period 1: The driver is logged into the Uber app and is awaiting a ride request. If the driver is involved in an accident at this time, there is personal injury coverage of $50,000 per person and a total of $100,000 per accident along with another $25,000 for property damage.
- Period 2: A ride request has been accepted by the driver. He or she is on the way to pick the customer up. The driver’s policy limits are now $1 million for liability, uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. Collision coverage might apply.
- Period 3: The customer is in the Uber vehicle, and he or she is being transported to their destination. The same $1 million in coverage applies. When the customer exits the vehicle, the period reverts back to either the first period or personal use.
Contact a Visalia Uber Accident Lawyer.
When the driver is not logged into the Uber app, like when the car is being operated for personal use, the driver’s own private insurance provides coverage. You don’t want to be caught in the middle between two different insurance companies who are pointing their fingers at each other over which one of them is going to cover your accident. We know how to force the issue on who will be compensating you for your injuries. Don’t speak with any potential opposing insurers. They will only use any information that they obtain from you against you in the future. Contact us at your earliest opportunity to arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation with a Visalia Uber accident lawyer from our offices.
