It was not that long ago that Uber arrived on the scene and transformed the world of taxis and ridesharing.
However, despite its remarkable growth in its early days, it is still growing and has increased in value by about 28% since 2022. These days, Uber enjoys a market cap of over $76 billion!
Some people imagine they have no chance of winning a case against such a large company. However, depending on your specific situation, it might make sense for you to sue after being involved in an Uber accident.
Uber shares some responsibility for the damages that its drivers sometimes cause. At the same time, not everyone involved in an Uber accident will have a serious chance of winning a case against them.
Many factors can affect whether or not you should sue Uber even after being injured in an Uber car accident. Read on to learn all about the most vital things to understand regarding when you can sue after an Uber accident and whether or not you should!
When Can You Bring a Case Against Uber?
There are a few different situations in which it might make sense to sue Uber after being involved in an accident.
If you ride in an Uber car and the driver gets in an accident that causes you injuries, it can make sense to sue Uber. If an Uber car hits you while you are driving, that may also be an appropriate time to sue Uber for damages. The same can apply if an Uber car hits you while you are a pedestrian.
However, there are some essential details that you need to understand about each of these situations.
What Counts As an Uber Accident?
First, it is vital to remember that not every Uber car you see will count as an Uber car for a legal case. Uber drivers often have Uber stickers or signs even if they are not currently working as Uber drivers.
If a driver who is not accepting fares happens to hit you, then that will not have anything to do with the company Uber. At the same time, you are still free to bring a case against the private driver. We will discuss later some signs you should look for to let you know if you should file a claim after another driver causes an accident you are involved in.
What If the Uber Driver Is Accepting Fares?
On the other hand, if an Uber driver is driving around an Uber customer and injures you in an accident, the company Uber will be responsible rather than the driver.
Uber provides $1 million in liability and $1 million in property coverage in such situations. This can also apply if you are the passenger in an Uber when the driver gets in an accident.
However, there is also an interesting middle case to consider. What if a driver can accept fares from Uber customers but is not currently giving a ride to an Uber customer passenger?
In this case, the private driver will still be responsible for any accidents they cause. If you want to file a claim because of injuries after such an accident, you will bring that claim against the driver rather than Uber.
However, Uber does provide some contingency insurance in such cases. This insurance can provide $100,000 in coverage for a single accident. It also provides an extra $25,000 on top of that in property coverage.
Of course, when you are in an actual accident involving an Uber driver, you will probably not have any idea whether or not they are accepting fares at the time or not. However, as long as you get their information, you can always have an attorney file a claim against both the driver and the company Uber. At that point, it will be up to the driver and the company to determine which of these situations applies to your accident.
Of course, just because you can bring a case against Uber does not necessarily mean you should. There is a strong chance that Uber will try to fight any claim you bring against them.
At the same time, they may not fight too hard if there is clear evidence that they have suffered damages because of one of their drivers. So how can you know whether or not you have a solid case to bring against Uber?
Signs You Have a Strong Auto Accident Case
The most essential factor in any personal injury case is whether or not you suffered injuries. There is a saying in the world of law. If there are no damages, then there is no case.
Some people cannot immediately tell they have suffered damages from an accident. Auto accident injuries sometimes take a few hours or even days to show up. Even if you get what you think is a couple of minor bruises, you might continue to develop more serious symptoms over time.
It is also worth keeping in mind that not everyone understands what kind of injuries are considered serious in the eyes of the law. For example, an injury that seems mild may be worth significant damages if it lasts long.
If an injury keeps you from being able to work, then it might also be worth a significant amount of compensation, even if it does not cause you a lot of subjective suffering. On the other hand, an injury that causes you a lot of pain and suffering can also be worth significant damages, even if it does not impede your ability to work.
Of course, the damage done to your property can also count as a significant injury.
The Importance of Determining Responsibility
On the other hand, the injuries you suffer may not allow you to bring a case against Uber if you were at fault for the accident. After all, if you cause your own injuries, no one else is responsible for them.
On the other hand, if the other driver caused the accident, the combination of damages and responsibility can provide you with a strong case against Uber.
It is also important to remember that Uber may bear some responsibility for your damages even if you also contributed to the accident. If the Uber driver was negligent or otherwise contributed to the accident, then Uber may bear partial responsibility for your injuries even if you were also negligent or contributed somehow.
It can be difficult for people to assess their responsibility and damages independently. What makes sense to people in an everyday context does not always translate to the courtroom. However, this principle can cut both ways.
You might think you are not responsible and have suffered serious damages. However, a judge might disagree with you. On the other hand, even if you assume you are accountable and did not suffer serious damages, the legal perspective might see things differently.
The best way to resolve any uncertainty you have about the case you might be able to bring against Uber is to speak with a lawyer. An auto accident attorney will have a lot of experience seeing for themselves what kind of damages are considered serious in court and which are not. Their experience will also help them assess whether a judge will determine that you are at fault for the accident.
Preparing for a Case Against Uber
If you do decide to bring a case against Uber, there is a lot you will need to do to maximize your chances of winning your case. It may be too late for you to gather evidence from the scene of the accident. However, whenever possible, it can help to take pictures or even video of the scene of the accident.
You might want to get evidence about the damage to your vehicle and your person. That includes taking pictures of your injuries as soon as possible after an accident.
The longer you wait after an accident, the more your injuries might change in appearance. Having a record of how your injuries looked right after an accident and later on can provide valuable evidence in court.
It can also be helpful to get a picture of any evidence the accident leaves behind in the environment. For example, there might be tire streaks on the road. Or, one of the involved cars might have dented a pole or otherwise marked the terrain.
Of course, it is also helpful to gather testimony from any witnesses. However, you will likely need to hire an attorney to help you gather this kind of evidence after a rideshare accident.
Seek Medical Attention
You should receive medical attention as soon as possible after being involved in an Uber accident.
As we have discussed, not all auto accident injuries immediately appear. Some damage done to the body can be subtle in ways that evade detection by the untrained eye. Your doctor can give you a much more specific diagnosis of your condition.
Going to the doctor after an Uber accident will also create a record. If you later end up in court, your lawyer will be happy to have a medical record showing that you sought medical attention as soon as possible.
Avoid Common Uber Accident Case Mistakes
If you are bringing a case against Uber, it is also vital that you avoid making common mistakes that can weaken your auto accident case. You should hire a lawyer as soon as possible to help you find out about these mistakes to avoid them.
Meanwhile, avoiding broadcasting your story about the accident is often a good idea. Writing about it on social media or telling all the details to a wide variety of people can increase the chance that you will weaken your case by accident.
This happens more often than you might think. Again, what makes sense in an everyday context does not always match what makes sense in a courtroom context. What seems like an innocent statement to you could significantly affect your legal standing.
Find the Right Legal Representation
You need the best representation when you file a claim against a large company like Uber. In particular, you might want to look for attorneys who work specifically with rideshare accidents. Many have a track record of helping clients sue Uber and other rideshare companies.
The more experience an attorney has in handling rideshare accident cases similar to yours, the better the chance they can help you win your case.
Another powerful way to find the right attorney is by looking at ratings online. Although these ratings are only a rough indicator of expertise, there is a good chance you will want to avoid any lawyers with poor ratings.
On top of that, you can read reviews for auto accident attorneys to see how satisfied their past clients have been. For example, reading about the successes that a rideshare accident attorney has achieved for their past clients can be encouraging.
You can read more now to find out whether getting legal help from a rideshare accident attorney might be the right choice for you.
Understand Your Legal Options After an Uber Accident
Even after being in a serious Uber accident, many people assume it would be impossible to sue a giant company like Uber successfully.
However, Uber has prepared for the possibility that its drivers might cause accidents and has often paid for the resulting damages of accidents. Understanding when it might make sense to sue Uber can help you make the right decision with your lawyer.
Look at our other articles to learn more about the latest developments in law, business, and more!
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