Smartphones and apps offer many connections and benefits, including Uber’s rideshare services. These services allow people to secure affordable transportation when they cannot drive more efficiently. However, sometimes Uber drivers are involved in car accidents that injure passengers, people in other vehicles, pedestrians, or others.
If an Uber driver hurt you in a car accident, you may recover compensation for your losses. The right Spring Hill Uber accident lawyer can identify your rights and maximize your compensation.
Contact our legal team at Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm to learn if you have a case. Call our Spring Hill office at (352) 686-0080 to set up your free consultation today. We’re ready to help.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Our Firm?
- Rideshare Accident Statistics
- How Do Uber Accidents Happen?
- How Are Spring Hill Uber Accidents Different?
- Who Pays Damages After a Spring Hill Uber Accident?
- What Is Your Spring Hill Uber Accident Claim Worth?
- How to Prove Liability After A Spring Hill Uber Accident
- Spring Hill Uber Accident FAQs
- Contact Our Spring Hill Uber Accident Lawyers
Why Choose Our Firm?
When you have injuries and you need help, choosing the right attorney is key. At Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm, we understand the effects an Uber accident can have on your life, and we’re here to fight for your rights.
With over 20 years of experience, our team of dedicated lawyers has a strong track record of effectively settling challenging accident and injury claims.
We are local, down-to-earth attorneys, and what sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to our clients’ needs. We take a personalized approach to every case, working tirelessly to protect your family and advocate for your rights.
When you choose our firm, you can expect top-notch representation from lawyers who are not only passionate about helping you but also have a thorough understanding of the insurance industry. We have a proven history of successfully taking on powerful insurance companies and achieving strong results for our clients.
Don’t face the aftermath of an Uber accident alone. Trust Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm to be your advocate and fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation.
Our Spring Hill office is conveniently located at:
2190 Commercial Way
Spring Hill, FL 34606
Your future is too important to leave to chance. Our team is ready to support you.
Rideshare Accident Statistics
Uber rideshare services have become popular, but serious accidents have also grown.
Here are several sobering statistics about Uber accidents:
- In a recent investor report, Uber stated that its drivers took 1.95 billion trips globally in a fiscal quarter, which is about 21 million trips daily.
- Uber’s most recent safety report states that 100 fatalities occurred from 91 fatal accidents involving Uber motor vehicles in the US last year.
- A University of Chicago study stated that rideshare apps may cause a two or three-percent rise in national fatal traffic accidents.
How Do Uber Accidents Happen?
It is estimated that most auto accidents happen because of driver error, such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, and reckless driving. Uber drivers are like anyone else and are sometimes prone to errors that lead to accidents.
Some Uber operators are full-time drivers, and others do it part-time. When Uber drivers get behind the wheel, they may be tired from working during other parts of the day. Sometimes, Uber drivers can be on the road for more than 12 hours, and fatigue can be a factor.
The long time Uber drivers are on the road isn’t the only reason these accidents happen. Many drivers are on the road late at night for a living as an Uber driver, and falling asleep while driving is common.
Another common reason for Uber accidents is driver distraction. Many drivers are on their cell phones constantly as they drive. Being on a cell phone while driving leads to all major risks of distracted driving, including cognitive, manual, and visual distractions.
Driver distraction is even more of an issue with Uber drivers who don’t know the area they are driving in. The driver may be looking around for the right place to stop and not paying attention to their driving.
Speeding and reckless driving also cause many Uber accidents. Drivers make more money by driving more passengers and may rush to make more money. Whatever the reason for the Uber accident, you can be entitled to compensation if your Uber driver’s errors caused your injuries.
No matter how your crash occurred, our Uber accident attorneys from Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm can evaluate your rights and options.
How Are Spring Hill Uber Accidents Different?
An accident involving an Uber vehicle may differ from other car accidents in Spring Hill.
At Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm, we take a specific approach to Uber accident claims to address the unique and complicated legal and insurance issues that can arise.
Insurance Is More Complex
Various insurance policies may apply when an Uber driver causes a car accident. It depends on whether the driver was actively working at the time of the crash.
Uber has up to $1 million in liability insurance for personal injuries and property damage if an on-duty driver causes an accident. If the Uber driver wasn’t working when the crash occurred, or another person caused the incident, you may need to file your claim on another policy.
Filing a Claim Against a Corporation Is Difficult
In normal auto accidents, you typically file your claim on the at-fault driver’s policy. However, if an on-duty Uber driver injured you, you may need to file a claim on Uber’s insurance.
If Uber questions or denies your claim, you are up against a large company with legal teams and deep pockets. The good news is our car accident attorneys level the playing field and will ensure your rights are respected. We never back down from corporations; we fight for our clients.
Who Pays Damages After a Spring Hill Uber Accident?
As with any auto accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company usually pays for the injured person’s damages (unless it is a no-fault state). In an Uber accident, who pays for what is a more complex matter.
When an Uber driver uses their personal vehicle to drive, their personal auto insurance isn’t required to cover the claim. Also, because Uber drivers are independent contractors, the company isn’t required to compensate you if the driver causes an accident.
However, under current law, Uber must carry commercial insurance to pay damages in a car accident. If you are in a crash involving an Uber driver as a passenger, motorist, or pedestrian, you may be entitled to file a claim with Uber’s insurance company.
However, the amount of coverage and who pays depends on what the Uber driver was doing when the crash happened:
- Logged into the app: When the Uber driver is logged into the app and can take a ride request, commercial insurance is available for $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. This coverage is available in addition to your personal coverage if it’s insufficient to cover your losses.
- Accepted a ride request: A larger commercial insurance policy is available if the driver accepted a ride request and was on the way to pick them up when the crash happened. This coverage also applies if the driver drives a passenger to a destination. The available coverage is $1,000,000 in third-party insurance. Underinsured and uninsured coverage is also available. You must exhaust your personal auto insurance before this policy is available.
- The app is off: If the driver has the Uber app off, only the driver’s personal insurance will pay for damages.
It’s critical to understand the driver’s status when the crash happened, but this can be a difficult determination. Our Springhill Uber accident attorneys from Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm will immediately investigate the driver’s status during the accident.
What Is Your Spring Hill Uber Accident Claim Worth?
The value of an Uber accident claim depends on many factors:
- The severity of your Uber accident injuries: Did you sprain your back in the accident? The claim may be worth less than if you broke your leg and need surgery. More severe injuries always have a higher case value, so don’t settle for less than you deserve if you have a serious injury.
- The cost of your medical care: If you need to stay in the hospital for a week, your claim will be worth more than if you were treated and released from the ER. Just one day in the hospital may cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- Your lost earnings: Were you out of work for a week or six weeks? How long you couldn’t work also will affect the compensation you receive.
- Physical and emotional suffering: People with severe injuries and major medical treatments undergo more mental and physical suffering.
- The Uber driver’s status when the crash happened: If the Uber driver was working when the crash happened, the claim may be worth more. “Working” means being on the way to pick up a fare or driving a fare when an accident happens. The claim may have a lower value if the Uber driver was not working on the way home.
Every personal injury claim after an Uber accident is different. You should have our Uber accident attorneys review your case to understand its potential value.
How to Prove Liability After A Spring Hill Uber Accident
Once it’s clear how the Uber accident happened, you must offer convincing proof about who is liable for your injuries. Uber accident victims usually have to prove negligence to obtain compensation after an accident.
Negligence means the following:
- The liable party owed you a duty of care. For example, the Uber driver owed you a duty to drive safely and not injure you.
- The liable party breached their duty of care: For example, the Uber driver ran a red light and hit another car.
- You suffered injuries because of the breach: You broke your arm in the Uber accident.
- You have damages from the accident, such as lost income and medical bills.
Many types of evidence can be used to prove negligence, such as Uber app data, eyewitness testimony, vehicle damage, photos and videos of the crash scene, and surveillance video.
Spring Hill Uber Accident FAQs
Common questions we receive about Uber accidents include:
Can You File a Claim Against an Independent Uber Driver?
One of the complex aspects of an Uber accident is that the driver is an independent contractor, not an Uber employee. Which insurance policy pays your damages depends on the driver’s status when the accident happened. If the driver was off-duty and the Uber app was inactive, you will file the claim on the driver’s personal auto insurance.
If the driver was on duty during the crash, including driving to pick up a rider or driving one, you may file the claim on Uber’s policy. However, you should review the accident with a Spring Hill Uber accident attorney to determine if the driver was on duty or off duty when the crash happened.
Can You Hold Uber Liable for the Accident?
Perhaps. Uber’s policy should pay for your losses if the driver was on duty during the crash. You will name Uber as a liable party in the complaint and negotiate with Uber’s legal team for a settlement. Our attorneys from Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm can assist in this process.
How Do You Hold A Liable Party Responsible For An Uber Accident?
The best way to hold the driver or Uber responsible for the crash and your losses is to have strong evidence.
Some of the evidence that may prove your claim are:
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Police reports
- Proof that the driver was using the Uber app at the time of the crash
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimony, such as an accident reconstruction professional
- Surveillance video of the accident
Our Spring Hill Uber accident lawyers from Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm can collect this evidence and build your case while you focus on your medical treatment and recovery.
Should You Take An Uber Accident Settlement?
Most people and companies don’t want to go to court. It’s expensive and takes a lot of time. That’s why the at-fault party’s insurance company may contact the injured and offer a settlement. If you get a settlement offer from Uber, it knows its driver is at fault. Whether you accept it, though, depends on the situation.
Typically, Uber will offer a low settlement at first to see if you have an attorney and know the value of your case. You should reject the initial settlement offer and demand more. It’s best to ask your attorney to review any Uber settlement offer before you accept. Our attorneys will know the approximate value of your case and how to negotiate effectively for the most compensation.
Contact Our Spring Hill Uber Accident Lawyers
Were you injured in a Spring Hill Uber accident because of another person’s negligence? You may be severely injured and unable to earn a living.
Speak to our Spring Hill Uber accident attorneys from Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm today in a free consultation to determine if you can receive compensation in a lawsuit. You may receive payment for medical bills, lost income, and more.
Call today at (352) 686-0080 to begin protecting your rights.
SPRING HILL OFFICE
2190 Commercial Way,
Spring Hill, FL 34606, United States
P: (352) 686-0080