Rideshare companies like Uber have become a staple of city life. What happens when your rideshare driver is involved in an accident? What if you are the rideshare driver and you are hit by another car while ferrying a passenger to or from their destination? Uber may cover the passengers’ injuries even if the driver is at fault, but you may need help to file your claim.
Rideshare drivers are independent contractors, adding another layer of responsibility to the personal injury equation when assessing liability for an accident. Whether you are the driver of an Uber or just a passenger along for the ride, determining fault after a Bloomfield Uber accident is critical when it comes to making your personal injury claim. At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, our dedicated rideshare accident attorneys can help you collect the evidence needed to prove fault in your case. Contact us today to get started.
How is Fault Determined in an Uber Accident?
Rideshare services do not employ their drivers the way taxi companies do. Uber drivers are considered independent contractors who set their own hours, work when they choose, and select their own customers. For this reason, Uber is not responsible for their drivers’ actions the way a taxi company is liable for its drivers’ accidents.
However, following legal actions in several states, Uber provides liability insurance for its drivers and for passengers under certain circumstances. Ultimately, fault is determined in an Uber accident just as it would be for any Bloomfield vehicle accident.
Why Are Uber Accidents Different?
Since Uber drivers are not “employees,” the legal doctrine of vicarious liability does not apply, and the company is not responsible for the actions of its drivers and cannot be sued if one causes an accident. Instead, Uber provides third-party insurance coverage for their drivers and passengers according to a complex formulation:
- When a driver is offline and not looking for passengers, they are covered by their own auto insurance
- If the driver is online (“on app”) and waiting for a passenger, the driver is covered up to $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
- If the driver has a passenger and is en route to a destination, Uber’s coverage is up to $1 million if the driver is at fault. Both the driver and the passenger are covered
In other words, fault is less important in a rideshare accident than when the accident occurred. A knowledgeable rideshare attorney can examine your claim and explain how to collect damages after a Bloomfield Uber accident.
Get Help Determining Fault in Your Uber Claim From a Bloomfield Attorney
Filing a personal injury claim is difficult enough when dealing with a single insurance company. When you need to make a claim through a third-party company, you should work with a skilled attorney like those at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC.
We can review your case and help determine whether the driver was covered by their own insurance or by Uber’s third-party insurance at the time of the accident. No matter the circumstances, contact tour team for help determining fault after a Bloomfield Uber accident.
