Founded in 2009, Uber has grown to become a major force in the transportation sector. In March 2018, Uber counted 41.8 million users of its app in the U.S. alone. Uber is very popular because people can hail rides from their smartphones by using the company’s app. When someone calls for a ride, a nearby Uber driver will come to take people where they want to go. While Uber has advertised itself as a safe way to get home, Uber accidents sometimes occur. If you are injured in an Uber accident, you need to get help from an experienced Uber accident lawyer Sunnyvale to recover damages.
An Uber accident may involve several scenarios. Some accidents are caused by Uber drivers while they are actively transporting passengers while others happen when the drivers are on their way to pick passengers up. Uber accidents can also happen while the Uber drivers have their apps turned on but are not actively transporting people or going to pick up a rider. Uber accidents may also occur when third parties strike Ubers, injuring the Uber drivers and their passengers. Each of these scenarios has unique liability considerations.
Liability in an Uber or Lyft Accident
Liability in an Uber accident will depend on several factors. Uber provides additional liability coverage for its drivers of $1 million for accidents, but the coverage depends on which stage the drivers are in. When drivers have their apps turned on but have not accepted any rides, the driver must have minimum liability coverage of $50,000 for bodily injury, $100,000 for two or more injured people per accident, and $30,000 for property damage. Uber must also provide coverage of up to $200,000.
If the driver has accepted a ride or is actively transporting passengers at the time that the driver causes an accident, Uber is required to provide $1 million in coverage for serious injuries or deaths. It must also provide $1 million in underinsured or uninsured motorists coverage in case the vehicle is involved in an accident that was caused by someone else who is not adequately insured.
While the insurance requirements might make it seem as if it will be easy to recover compensation after you are injured in an Uber accident, the company often fights to try to avoid paying out on claims. An experienced Uber accident lawyer Sunnyvale at the San Jose Personal Injury Attorneys might understand the common defense tactics that Uber employs and build strong cases to counter their arguments.
Why it is important to hire an Uber accident lawyer Sunnyvale
Insurance companies sometimes try to settle with people personally to try to avoid liability. It is common for them to contact injured accident victims soon after they learn about the accidents. Insurance companies may extend unreasonably low settlement offers. They do this to try to convince people that their claims are worth less than they are and to try to avoid paying out more money.
If you are contacted by an insurance company after you have been seriously injured in an Uber accident, you should not agree to provide a recorded statement or to sign anything. Insurance companies often try to get people to make recorded statements so they can use the statements against them later in their cases. They might also ask people to sign medical authorizations to allow them to get the victims’ medical records. You should never sign a medical authorization or give a statement without talking to a personal injury attorney. A lawyer can evaluate any offer that may have been extended and negotiate to secure a fair amount. He or she can also handle the negotiations on behalf of his or her clients.
Contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Sunnyvale
If you have been injured in an Uber accident in Sunnyvale, it is important for you to talk to an experienced Uber accident attorney. Contact the San Jose Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a consultation by calling (408) 217-1778.
Under California law, it is possible to recover financial compensation for past and future pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, past and future loss of income, and punitive damages.