Are Uber Car Accidents Common?
While Uber promotes safety by decreasing the amount of drunk drivers on the road, accidents can still happen every day. According to their safety report from 2019, there were 101 fatalities that occurred because of Uber accidents.
Of those 101 fatalities, 32% involved a speeding vehicle, and 23% involved a drunk driver. While there may have been only 101 fatalities in the span of a year throughout the entire country, there were likely many more accidents that didn’t result in death.
Causes of Uber Car Accidents
Uber drivers are encouraged (and required) to use their cell phones while driving. They have to constantly monitor ride requests and drive in areas that they may be unfamiliar with. Even the best drivers may struggle to multitask. Ultimately, the safest driving requires all attention on the road at all times. Uber drivers often can’t commit to that level of focus because of the many distractions present.
Common causes of Uber car accidents include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting, talking on the phone, monitoring ride requests, putting an address into Google Maps, talking to a passenger, or listening to loud music
- Inexperienced drivers
- Not looking before merging, changing lanes, or turning
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Aggressive driving, like speeding or road rage
Types of Uber Car Accidents
There are a few different types of Uber car accidents. The type of accident you’re involved in can determine how much compensation you can receive and who you’re filing your lawsuit against.
Application Off
If the Uber driver that hit you had their app offline, Uber does not provide any coverage. When you file a lawsuit, you’ll file a claim against their personal insurance company.
Application On, Awaiting a Ride Request
If their application is online and they’re awaiting a request from a passenger, Uber offers supplement insurance coverage. You may receive compensation from both their personal insurance coverage and Uber’s insurance coverage.
Application On, En Route to Passenger or Passenger Onboard
If the Uber application is online and the driver is on their way to pick up a passenger, or there’s a passenger on board, Uber provides very comprehensive liability coverage. This coverage protects their contractors and anyone else who might be injured, such as a passenger or third-party driver.
Steps to Take if You’re Hit by an Uber Driver
If you’ve been hit by an Uber driver, you should take the same steps you would if you were involved in any type of car accident. First and foremost, you’ll want to receive immediate medical attention if you’re severely injured. If you’ve been cleared by EMTs to stay at the scene of the accident, you should complete the following steps:
- File a police report.
- Exchange contact information with the Uber driver. Do not apologize or admit fault in any way. They will likely alert Uber that an accident occurred.
- Take pictures and videos of the scene, your injuries, and the vehicles involved.
- Speak with witnesses, exchange contact information, and encourage them to speak with law enforcement when they arrive.
- Leave the scene of the accident and seek immediate medical treatment. Don’t go home first or stop anywhere else. Go directly to the hospital or emergency room.
- Speak with an attorney. It’s important to complete this step before talking with Uber or any insurance companies. Your attorney will take care of the claims process and speak to insurance companies for you. This will prevent you from accidentally damaging your case in the early stages.
What if I’m the Passenger?
If you’re the passenger of an Uber and an accident occurs, the process is only slightly different. If the Uber driver were at fault for the accident, you’d be able to receive compensation from their insurance company. If the other driver were at fault, you’d be able to file a claim with their insurance company. In some cases, you may have to file a claim with both parties.
Types of Evidence Used in Uber Cases
To build a strong case against Uber and get you the compensation that you deserve, we’ll need to gather solid evidence. Types of evidence we often use in Uber car accident cases include:
- Photos taken by you and witnesses. A picture is worth a thousand words and can reveal a lot about fault. For example, if there are skid marks leading to the crash, it can show that the driver had to slam on their brakes. This may mean that they were speeding or not paying attention.
- Video evidence is even stronger and can be recovered from dashcams and security cameras. By working with an attorney, accessing this footage is much easier.
- Witness statements. Both eyewitness and expert witness statements are a great way to build your case. Eyewitnesses can back up your personal statement. Expert witnesses can help connect pieces of the puzzle. For example, a medical expert would explain how the accident caused your injuries.
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