With more than 91 million active customers each month and an army of 3.9 million drivers completing 14 million daily trips, rideshare provider Uber is a household name around the world. Though the vast majority of Uber drivers adhere to behaviors included in the company’s safe driving campaign and complete their trips without incident, things can go awry. When an Uber accident occurs, not only are victims left nursing their injuries and staring down expensive medical and property repair bills, they may be confused about who’s going to pay. The Winnetka Uber accident lawyers at Walch Law understand that dealing with multiple insurance companies is complicated, which is why we will work from the moment we’re hired to save you the headaches of handling negotiation, investigation, and liability issues. Contact us today to learn more about the process and see how we can help get you the most money possible.
Winnetka Uber Accident RisksWinnetka, a small pocket of the city of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley with a population of over 55,000, is sandwiched between the busy 101 and 118 freeways and sits next to busy Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The location permits residents and visitors alike easy access to shopping such as the Westfield Topanga, hiking at Topanga State Park, the beach in Malibu, as well as restaurants, bars, and other attractions in both the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles metro area. The heavy traffic, expensive and limited parking options, and ineffective public transportation all make Uber a popular choice in the area.
Unfortunately, the large volume of cars that clog roads make Uber appealing also increases the chance of accidents occurring. Even with their commitment to driving safety, Uber reported their drivers were involved in 58 fatal crashes in the span of a year. The number of unreported injury accidents is undoubtedly much greater.
Whose Insurance Company Pays?If you’re an Uber passenger at the time you’re injured in an accident, you’ll be covered; however, who pays depends on when the accident occurred. Uber drivers are covered by their personal car insurance policies, which Uber requires they keep at all times to maintain eligibility to drive for the company. Uber provides contingent liability insurance at certain periods when the driver is working; this means Uber’s insurance only kicks in if the victim files an insurance claim with their Uber driver’s personal auto insurance first and their insurer denies it and refuses to pay or if the Uber driver lacks the proper rideshare coverage on their personal policy.
Uber’s insurance will not cover any damages that occur when the Uber driver is logged out of Uber’s driver app and is not available to riders. Otherwise, the coverage Uber provides is divided into different periods based on what work the Uber driver is performing at the time of the accident.
Period 1: Driver is Logged into the App and Available for Trips but Not Matched to a RiderBecause the driver is not matched to a rider at this point, the victim will either be a pedestrian, bicyclist, or other motorist. Here, Uber’s coverage limits are:
Though Uber’s coverage applies to injury victims, it does not apply to the Uber driver. They must use their personal auto insurance for their property damage and injuries.
Period 2: Driver is Matched to a Rider and En Route to Pick Them UpAs in period 1, no passenger is in the Uber. However, because the Uber driver accepted a ride request and is acting on Uber’s behalf and at the company’s directions, the liability insurance coverage Uber provides increases from $100,000 to $1 million total.
Period 3: The Time the Rider is in the Car Until They Exit and Driver Ends the Trip on the AppAt this point, the victim will likely be a passenger who is completely dependent on the Uber driver for their safety until the ride ends. As such, Uber’s coverage includes:
The number of insurance companies involved and coverage available depend on how you were injured in your Uber car accident. However, that confusion does nothing to help the fact you’ve been hurt and need to be compensated for your injuries so you can pay medical bills, make ends meet if you can’t work, and get your life back on track. The skilled Winnetka Uber accident lawyers at Walch Law understand that you need a check and closure now. That’s why as soon as you hire us, we begin fighting for you to get the compensation you deserve with no unnecessary delays. Robert and Gary have over 45 years of experience delivering success for clients at a rate of over 95+%, so contact us today to learn why you want their team in your corner.