What Happens if You Are a Passenger in an Uber Accident?
Uber is extremely popular in Los Angeles. Many consumers find that the ridesharing company provides a convenient and affordable option to take them to places throughout Southern California. Uber is projected to grow even more in popularity in the coming years. According to reporting from the Pasadena Star-News, the company sought to hire 15,000 additional drivers in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in 2017.
Unfortunately, as with other vehicles, there is always the risk that your Uber will end up in a major accident. Uber accident claims are especially complex. As a passenger, you need to know what to do after an Uber crash so that you can protect your legal rights and financial interests. At Fisher & Talwar, our experienced Los Angeles car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling Uber passenger accident claims.
Four Things You Should Do After an Uber Accident
1. Seek Medical Assistance
First and foremost, Uber passengers should always seek medical assistance after a car accident. If you sustained serious injuries, you must go to an emergency room for immediate attention. Further, even if you think that your injuries are not that severe, you should still get yourself in for a comprehensive medical evaluation. Not only do you need to protect your health and wellbeing; but you will not be able to bring a legal claim against Uber unless you have official medical documentation of your injuries.
2. Report the Crash to Highway Authorities
Under California law, any motor vehicle collision that has resulted in injuries must be reported to state or local highway officials. Even as a passenger, you should make sure that a police officer gets to the scene of the crash to write an accident report. There needs to be an official record of your crash.
3. Report the Crash to Uber
When the situation settles down, you will be required to report your accident to Uber’s corporate officials. You should be able to do this directly through your Uber phone application or by calling the company. If you have any trouble reporting your accident or getting useful assistance from Uber representatives, please contact an attorney immediately.
4. Contact a Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney3
If you sustained serious injuries in an Uber crash, please do not go up against Uber and its insurance providers on your own. The best thing you can do to protect your rights is to get an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney on your side as quickly as possible. Your attorney will be able to investigate your case and help you take whatever action is required to get full financial compensation for your damages.
Understanding Uber’s Commercial Insurance Policy
One of the most important things that Uber passengers need to understand is that they are always covered by the company’s $1 million commercial insurance policy. California Assembly Bill No. 2293, which went into effect in July of 2015, protects all Uber passengers. Regardless of who was at fault, whether it was the Uber driver or a third-party driver, you, as an Uber passenger, are entitled to compensation under the company’s commercial insurance policy. To find out how to get maximum compensation under this policy; and under any other implicated policy, you should consult with a qualified car accident attorney in LA.
Compensation Available to Uber Accident Victims
Under California law, injured Uber accident victims are entitled to money for the full value of their losses. Unfortunately, in practice, recovering fair compensation can be immensely challenging. Uber as well as its insurance company, is notoriously aggressive. In some cases, they will try to do everything in their power to avoid any liability at all. In other cases, they will try to get away with substantially undervaluing your accident injury claim. Our skilled Los Angeles car accident lawyers can help you hold Uber accountable. You may be entitled to relief for:
- All related medical expenses;
- Short-term disability (STD);
- Long-term disability (LTD);
- Lost current and future wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish;
- Disfigurement;
- Loss of limb; and
- Wrongful death
Contact Our Los Angeles Ridesharing Accident Attorneys
At Fisher & Talwar, our aggressive car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling Uber accident injury claims. If you or a family member was injured in a crash as an Uber passenger, we are interested in speaking to you.
For your free case evaluation, please contact us today at (213) 805-7706. From our office in the heart of Los Angeles, we represent injury victims throughout Southern California, including in Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Compton, Torrance, and Downey.
