uber accident

Uber’s “Optional Injury Protection” insurance is designed to provide Uber drivers with additional protection in the event of a car accident.

Uber has all the incentives to ensure both its drivers and app users have a good experience with this service, so they have certain measures of protection when it comes to road safety.

One example is their “Optional Injury Protection” insurance, which is designed to provide Uber drivers with additional protection in the event of a car accident. All Uber drivers must comply with state laws when it comes to auto insurance, but this insurance policy is meant to provide additional help.

How Does It Work?

Uber drivers can enroll in this insurance program, paying a little less than $0.04 a mile when on-trip. The policy is in effect even when the driver is going to pick up the passenger, not just after they’ve entered the vehicle. 

This insurance policy is designed to cover injuries that may be sustained due to a car accident. Some of the benefits offered include:

• Medical expenses – up to $1,000,000 with no deductible or copay;

• Disability benefits – with up to $500 per week in lost wages;

• Survivor benefits – up to $150,000 for the Uber driver’s family in case they die as a result of the car accident.

When Does It Kick in?

The insurance policy starts protecting the driver as soon as they enroll in the program, which Uber describes as a “2 clicks process.” Though drivers are only charged for miles while they are official on an official trip with a passenger or delivering an order, the policy itself has a wider net of protection.

It applies:

• When the drive is online, meaning available for trip requests, even if they are not in transit;

• When en route to pick up a passenger or package for delivery;

• When on an official trip using the app. 

The policy does not apply if the driver is using the vehicle for personal reasons or performing an activity on behalf of another company, such as being on an official trip with a different ridesharing app. 

Why Would Drivers Consider This Policy?

In some cases, the standard auto insurance may not be enough to cover all the damages sustained from the Uber driver’s car accident, especially if the injuries are extensive and will require long-term treatment.

If the driver opts for this optional insurance policy, they can get extra benefits that should provide them with financial support while in recovery. However, the policy does not apply to any passenger in the Uber car who may also suffer injuries during the accident.

Do You Need an Uber Accident Lawyer?

Insurance claims are tough processes to navigate, especially when a giant company like Uber is on the other side of the table. To ensure you get properly compensated if you have been involved in a St. Louis Uber accident, please reach out to an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Here are a few steps you should take if an Uber or Lyft driver flees the scene of your car accident.

If you’re hit by an Uber or Lyft driver as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorist, and they flee the scene, what should you do? Let’s discuss a few steps you should take to get the best possible outcome for your case.

1. Call 911 Immediately

Fleeing from the scene of an accident in Missouri is a crime. You need to call 911 right away to get the police at the scene and file a police report about the incident. This will help establish a “paper trail” that will be very useful for your case.

2. Talk To Witnesses & Get Their Testimony 

If possible, it’s important to talk to witnesses and get their testimony, and convince them to stick around until the police arrive. Having multiple people back up the truth can help with your case.

This may also help establish whether or not the driver was an Uber or Lyft driver. For example, eyewitnesses may have noticed stickers or a glowing Uber or Lyft sign on the car’s dash. These are commonly used by Uber and Lyft drivers.  

You should also take any pictures that may help your case at this time, such as photos of car damage, paint that’s been transferred to your car, the environment where the accident happened, and so on. 

3. Contact an Attorney

The excellent news about Uber and Lyft hit-and-runs in Missouri is that, by law, all motorists are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which includes:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $10,000 per accident for property damage

Your limits may be higher, depending on your policy. If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, your UI/UM policy will generally cover your costs. Before speaking with your insurance company, it is also a good idea to speak with an experienced attorney to ensure your legal right to compensation is being protected.

4. Report The Accident To Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft both offer services that allow you to report accidents caused by their drivers. This may help you identify the driver since both services generally collect information about where drivers are while using their apps. 

St. Louis Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Handling a rideshare car accident case in St. Louis is never easy – and it’s even more complex when it’s a hit-and-run. Don’t go it alone. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, our team of St. Louis Uber and Lyft auto accident attorneys are on your side and ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve after your accident. Contact us now for a free case review.

Here are 3 common myths about Uber accidents and how these claims are handled.

More and more people are using ride-sharing services in the US, with Uber being the market leader. Accidents involving Uber drivers are bound to happen since there are so many of them on the streets, but who covers the damages and what happens if you’re a victim are still unclear for many people.

Here are 3 common myths about Uber accidents and how these claims are handled.

Uber’s $1 million Insurance Will Always Get You a Huge Settlement

In its beginnings, Uber was not liable for accidents caused by its drivers because it claimed that they were independent workers, not employees per se. However, state legislation has changed in the meantime, and Uber now carries a $1 million insurance policy for every driver. This, however, doesn’t mean that the victims will always receive a huge settlement from the company or that they will be covered by it at all.

Uber’s insurance is a secondary policy, and the primary responsibility lies with the driver. Damages are generally covered by Uber only if the driver has an active ride in the app at the time of the accident. If an Uber driver causes an accident while circling, waiting for a client to search for a car, or even driving towards a client, the $1 million policy will generally not cover them. In fact, Uber drivers are more at risk in case of an accident because they might lose their personal auto insurance coverage if their insurance company decides that they were using the car for something other than personal use.

The Company Is Always Liable If You’re Hit by an Uber

As stated above, Uber’s policy will typically only cover the damages caused by an Uber driver if they were driving a passenger at the time of the accident. In any other situation, the driver’s own auto insurance will likely cover the damages. As you probably know, the basic auto policies required by law have rather low limitations. If your damage is substantial and you don’t carry underinsured motorist insurance coverage, you might have to sue the driver. 

Uber Drivers Are Not Covered by Company Insurance, Because They Are Independent Contractors

This is a myth that originated from the grey area of insurance coverage that was, in fact, very real when ride-sharing services were just started on the market. Nowadays, Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies are generally liable for the damage their drivers’ cause, even if they are not considered fully employed. 

Uber covers the following damages, depending on the situation:

• $50,000 per individual for bodily damage, when the driver’s app is active and they are waiting for a ride

• $100,000 per accident for bodily damage, when the driver’s app is active and they are waiting for a ride

• $1 million for bodily damage, when the driver has passengers who requested a ride through the app

If you have suffered injuries while riding in an Uber or because an Uber hit you, contact an experienced St. Louis Uber accident attorney who will be able to navigate these grey areas, protect your rights, and fight to get you the compensation you are entitled to. 

Here are some general steps to take if you are ever involved in an automobile accident with a St. Louis Uber driver.

Where car accidents are concerned, Missouri is a comparative fault state. This means that if all parties involved are partially responsible for the incident, then they are all liable for damages. Liability is based on the extent of each party’s fault.

This law generally applies to ridesharing car accidents as well. Therefore, if an Uber driver is at-fault, then his insurance company will generally be liable to shoulder the damages. Fortunately, the company pitches in if its driver is under-insured. If you have been involved in a St. Louis uber accident it’s a very good idea to discuss the specifics of your claim with a knowledgeable Uber accident lawyer.

What to Do After a Car Accident Involving an Uber Driver

In many ways, Uber drivers are just like every other driver. As such, they are subject to the same human errors that lead to car accidents. Sometimes, they are even more vulnerable to making mistakes if ridesharing is their part-time job in addition to a full-time job. In an effort to make more money they may even ignore certain traffic rules like speed limits.

These are the steps to take if you are ever involved in an automobile accident with an Uber driver:

1. Turn off your car engine until you establish the extent of damage your vehicle sustained. If there is a gas leak, a running engine can spark a fire.

2. Call the police. As a precautionary measure, store emergency numbers on your cell phone. Don’t wait until an accident like this happens.

3. Survey the scene for property damage and injuries. When either or both are present, exchange the following information with the other driver: Name, address, driver’s license number, vehicle identification numbers, insurance company name, and insurance policy number. Provide all of these to the police when they arrive.

4. Do not admit fault, but maintain politeness towards the other driver.

5. If possible, speak with eyewitnesses and get their contact information.

6. Take pictures of the scene from as many angles as possible.

7. Write a summary of the incident, including pertinent details like street names, estimated times, and traffic flow.

8. Call your insurance company or agent immediately to report the accident.

9. Speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Filing a Claim

If you are not responsible for the accident, you don’t need to file a claim with your own insurer. All damages, including medical bills if you are injured and car repair or replacement, should be paid for by the other driver’s insurer.

Therefore, your next step would be to file a claim with the insurance company. If you did your due diligence in collecting all the information enumerated above and work with an experienced attorney, you have a good chance of receiving the compensation you are entitled to.

If you sustained serious injury and vehicular damage, you should be compensated for all the expenses entailed. However, insurance companies are notorious for playing hardball. Again, this is another reason working with an attorney is the course of wisdom.

Our experienced Uber accident lawyers are ready and available to help you get the amount you deserve. We offer a free consultation so you can decide how to proceed.