Houston Uber Car Accident Lawyer
Seeking compensation for a wreck caused by an Uber driver can be substantially different from other traffic crashes. Find out how to handle your case by speaking with a Houston Uber car accident lawyer.
Rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar are already huge companies, and they are growing quickly. People love the convenience and speed of these independent contract drivers, but there is always a flipside. In this case, accidents involving rideshare drivers can be incredibly confusing disasters to get compensated for.
What happens after an accident with an Uber driver? Whose insurance kicks in and when? Uber’s or the driver’s? If you have been hurt in a car accident involving a rideshare company such as Uber, you need to discuss the complexities of your case with a Houston Uber car accident lawyer from Denena Points.
Whose Insurance Was Active?
Ridesharing is still new, and the laws and policies involving crashes with these drivers are still being developed and put to test in the legal system. This is complicated territory for lawmakers, lawyers, and insurance companies because Uber drivers are considered independent contractors and own their own vehicles.
Car accidents involving an Uber driver can be broken down into a few different scenarios:
- If the Uber driver is not “on the clock,” then the Uber driver’s personal insurance will be used, although some personal insurance policies do not cover commercial driving, so the driver may need supplemental commercial drivers insurance to be covered at all.
- If the Uber driver is “on the clock” but has no passengers, then a low-level supplemental insurance from Uber will apply.
- If the Uber driver is “on the clock” and has passengers, then a much more comprehensive supplemental insurance is activated until the passengers exit the vehicle.
The question of when an Uber driver is “on the clock” has been narrowed down to when the Uber app is active on the driver’s phone. An Uber driver en route to a passenger would fall under the second scenario described above, but once a passenger gets into the car it would shift to the third scenario. An Uber driver going out for groceries would only have his personal insurance in the event of an accident, falling under the first scenario.
Compensation for a Car Crash with an Uber Driver
There are many injuries that you might sustain in a car accident, even as a passenger in the back seat. All of the medical expenses, lost income, and lost quality of life should be compensated. You can claim any of the following that apply to your case:
- Immediate and long-term medical expenses
- Current and future income loss
- Disability accommodations made to vehicles, homes, and work areas
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium, society, or companionship
- Vehicle and other property repair costs
- Wrongful death
Consult with a Houston Rideshare Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in a rideshare car accident with an Uber driver, whether as a passenger, a driver, or a pedestrian, then you need to hold the right party accountable to recover compensation for your damages. Since this is a complicated process and there are many factors and entities involved, you need to speak with a Houston Uber car accident lawyer from Denena Points. We can figure out the cause, who was at fault, and whose insurance is financially liable.
Call us at 713-807-9500 or fill out the form below to arrange a time to meet for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your case.