Why You Should Get The Best Uber Accident Lawyers Near You
Catching an Uber has become one of the most popular ways to get around Austin, as many use them to reach leisure destinations, get to and from work, to get home after leaving a bar, and more. Uber completes millions of trips every day. With so many trips, accidents involving Ubers are bound to occur. According to Uber’s most recent traffic safety report from 2022, there were 153 motor vehicle fatalities involving Uber vehicles. These fatalities include drivers, passengers, and other third-party occupants involved. Of these fatalities, 45% involved individuals using the Uber app, whereas 29% were riders, and 16% were drivers. Alarmingly, 62% of these 2022 Uber accident fatalities involved risky behavior from third-party drivers, meaning other vehicles on the road around the Uber.
These Uber accident statistics from their most recent 2022 safety report show that, although ridesharing is generally considered safe, accidents involving Uber vehicles can have catastrophic and severe consequences. Uber accident injuries in Austin can range from minor bruises to life-changing physical and mental trauma, which can include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, soft tissue injury, and permanent disabilities. Determining who is potentially liable for compensating injured parties for these injuries can be a complex process. If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident, consulting Uber accident lawyers near you can help clarify the next steps. At Sandoval & James Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we help victims of Uber accidents in Austin navigate the challenging process of pursuing an injury claim and securing the compensation they deserve. Whether you are a passenger, an Uber driver, or a third-party motorist, pedestrian, or bicyclist, an Uber accident injury lawyer in Austin from our team is always ready to advocate for you.
If you’ve been involved in a ride share accident, contacting a ride share accident lawyer can help protect your rights.
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Ask an Uber Injury Attorney: What Do You Do If Your Uber Gets Into an Accident?
Being involved in an Uber accident can be overwhelming, but taking the proper steps to protect yourself and others immediately after the accident is important. Whether you are the passenger, the Uber driver, or an occupant of another vehicle, your actions after the accident can affect your legal rights and the insurance claims process.
- Safety Comes First – Make sure everyone involved in the accident is safe. Call 911 if there are any visible injuries, and move to a safe location if it is possible.
- Document the Scene – Take photos of the vehicles, license plates, the accident scene, and any visible injuries. Collect the contact and insurance information of all parties involved. If there were witnesses, make sure to get their contact information and ask if they are willing to provide a statement as well. Requesting a police report or accident report from responding officers can help preserve evidence for your claim.
- Seek Medical Attention – Even if injuries seem to be minor, it’s important to get assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible, as some injuries, like whiplash or internal organ damage, may not be immediate and could be delayed. Obtaining medical records and following a treatment plan can help document your injuries for your claim.
- Contact an Uber Accident Lawyer – Insurance coverage for Uber accidents is more complicated to deal with than standard car accidents. Having an experienced Uber accident injury lawyer from our team on your side will help ensure your rights are protected and that you pursue maximum compensation. Our attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis, which often means no upfront fees and a no-win, no-fee payment structure.
Uber Driver Accident Not At Fault vs At Fault: What Happens If I’m in an Uber and It Crashes?
Many Uber accident victims in Austin wonder whether they can sue Uber directly after being injured or sustaining serious property damage in an accident. Whether this is possible depends on the circumstances surrounding the crash and who was at fault:
- If the Uber Driver Was at Fault – Uber maintains commercial liability coverage that can be applied when the driver’s app is on for active rides (en route to pick up a passenger or carrying a passenger). Uber typically provides a $1 million policy for third-party liability and passenger protection during active trips. If the driver of the Uber caused the accident, you can typically file a claim against Uber’s insurance. Passengers and other injured individuals may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost income, future medical costs, potential disability compensation, and pain and suffering. Coverage may vary if the driver was merely waiting for a ride request or was offline, as status-specific insurance applies based on the driver’s app status.
- If Another Driver Was at Fault – If another motorist caused the collision, that driver’s insurance is primarily responsible. However, Uber’s commercial insurance may provide additional coverage if damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, depending on the Uber driver’s status at the time of the accident. In Texas, Uber maintains personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage can pay for medical bills and lost income arising from an accident.
- If You Are the Uber Driver – Uber drivers are considered independent contractors, but they are generally covered by Uber’s commercial insurance when the app is on. If another driver hits you while you have passengers or are waiting for a ride request, Uber’s insurance may help cover your injuries. Uber drivers may also choose to carry supplemental coverage, such as personal insurance with a rideshare endorsement or Transportation Network Company (TNC) insurance to help ensure protection during all driving periods.
Every Uber accident claim involves a mix of personal, commercial, and liability insurance. Therefore, pursuing a claim without professional help can be risky. An experienced Uber injury attorney in Austin from our team can investigate the accident, gather documentation, look at accident details, and work to establish liability, and negotiate with insurers to ensure fair compensation. Insurance companies can sometimes deny claims or delay processing, but our dedicated attorneys work to challenge insurance denials on behalf of our clients.
What Happens If I’m in an Uber and It Crashes?
Being in an Uber during an accident can be frightening, and many Uber vehicle occupants are unsure what to do next. Your rights to compensation and potential Uber accident claims depend on the specific circumstances of the crash:
- Passenger Injuries – If you are a passenger and the Uber driver was at fault, then you may be eligible to pursue compensation through Uber’s insurance for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. You may also be eligible to recover economic damages for lost income and non-economic damages for items such as emotional distress or scarring from your injuries.
- Hit by Another Vehicle – If the Uber driver was not at fault for causing the accident, then the other negligent driver’s insurance should cover damages. In some cases, Uber’s policy may provide secondary coverage to fill gaps in compensation. Common accidents may include rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone accidents, and rollovers, each usually requiring an investigation to determine fault.
- Multiple Parties Involved – Many Uber accidents involve multiple vehicles, which ends up complicating the claims process. Insurance adjusters may minimize injury claim payouts or shift blame. Having an Uber accident lawyer ensures your case is represented properly and thoroughly. Our attorneys at Sandoval & James are prepared to handle complex third-party claims and litigate cases when insurance companies dispute liability.
In hit-and-run cases or accidents involving suspected impaired drivers, pursuing compensation can be more challenging, but our legal team knows how to navigate these complex situations to secure recovery for victims. If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a self-driving vehicle, consulting a Waymo accident lawyer or a Lyft injury attorney can help you navigate the complexities of this new area of rideshare law.
Why Hire Austin Uber Accident Lawyers From Sandoval & James?
Accidents involving Uber vehicles often involve multiple layers of legal complexity. At Sandoval & James, we specialize in helping Uber accident victims in Austin and have extensive experience representing both passengers, third-party victims, and drivers. Our team includes licensed Texas trial attorneys with experience in insurance negotiations. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident in Austin, seeking legal assistance as soon as possible is the key to upholding all your rights to compensation and justice. Time is critical, as the statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims in Texas is generally two years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003), so contact our legal team today for a case evaluation before deadlines expire. The quicker you contact an experienced Uber accident injury lawyer from our team, the better your chances of receiving fair compensation.
At Sandoval & James Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a proven track record of helping Uber accident victims recover for injuries. We handle every case with personalized attention to make sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Our legal services include mediation, arbitration, litigation, and trial representation when necessary to pursue an outcome for your case. We offer 24/7 availability, Spanish-speaking staff for client communication, and legal representation with no upfront fees. Call our team today to schedule a free case consultation.