What You Need to Know About Changes in Personal Injury Cases
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Uber is a popular rideshare service throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania, and the country. Whether in the city, suburbs, or more rural areas, ridesharing services make it easy to order a ride via an app on your phone, which also provides information regarding arrival time and cost. Unfortunately, when accidents happen, things become much more complicated. Unlike traditional taxi drivers, Uber drivers are not employed by Uber and they use their personal vehicles to transport passengers. This affects Uber’s legal liability and insurance obligations, which can affect an injured victim’s ability to recover compensation after an Uber accident. If you have been injured in an Uber accident, it is important that you hire an Uber accident attorney who understands the law surrounding rideshare services.
An Uber driver’s personal auto insurance policy typically does not provide coverage for commercial driving, though some insurance companies now offer specific rideshare coverage. If an Uber driver is in a vehicle accident while they are not working, their personal insurance should apply. If an Uber driver is logged into the Uber app waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick up a passenger, or transporting a passenger at the time of an accident, Uber provides some insurance coverage. The level of coverage may depend on the status of the driver at the time of the accident:
Status 1: Uber driver is offline
Uber does not provide any insurance coverage while the driver is offline. The driver’s personal insurance policy should provide coverage in this situation..
Status 2: Uber driver is logged onto the app and waiting for a ride request
The driver’s own insurance is the primary insurance, but Uber provides third-party liability coverage of $50,000 per bodily injury up to a maximum of $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
Status 3: Uber driver has responded to a ride request and is on their way to pick up a passenger, or is transporting a passenger
Uber provides up to $1 million in third-party liability insurance coverage per accident and $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Uber insurance also covers property damage up to the actual cash value of the car (after a $2,500 deductible.)
The person who is responsible for an Uber accident, or their insurer, may be legally and financially liable to injured victims of the accident. The police report may identify who is to blame in an accident, but sometimes it is necessary to bring a legal claim to determine or prove fault and ensure that the correct parties are held responsible for the accident. The at-fault party or their insurer may be required to compensate victims for expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering that are not covered by the victim’s own insurance policy. If two or more people are at fault for an accident, they may each be held partly liable.
Uber accidents happen for the same reasons as any vehicle accident, such as:
Any of the drivers involved in an accident could be at fault, and in some accidents, multiple drivers are to blame. In Pennsylvania, if an injured victim is partly to blame for an accident, their compensation will be reduced based on their share or percentage of fault.
The injuries that are suffered in Uber accidents can be life-altering for victims and their families. Some of the common injuries suffered as a result of such accidents are:
Many injuries require surgery, hospitalization, and long-term care. An experienced personal injury attorney can help injured victims get compensation for the expenses of their medical care, as well as the physical pain and mental trauma they have suffered.
If you have been in an Uber accident, there are certain things to remember:
Most importantly, make sure you obtain medical attention for your injuries. If it is an emergency, call 911 to summon an ambulance. Keep a copy of your medical records, reports and medical bills related to your accident-related injuries.
Do not make any statements of liability to the police or insurers. Anything you say could affect your right to compensation. You should get legal advice from an accident attorney before speaking about the accident.
Take photos and videos at the time of the accident. Evidence of who was involved, the position of the vehicles, the road and weather conditions, and the extent of any injuries may be very important to your claim. Get contact information from any witnesses.
Contact an Uber accident lawyer to find out about your rights and obligations after an accident. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damage to your vehicle, bicycle, or other property.
A victim seeking compensation after an Uber accident may be entitled to:
If a victim has their own auto insurance policy, the P.I.P. benefits under the policy may cover some of these expenses, however, these benefits will not cover all of the losses in a catastrophic accident that causes severe and life-altering injuries.
You should not delay getting good legal advice after an Uber accident. Every state has a legal deadline, or statute of limitations, for bringing an accident claim. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim after a motor vehicle accident is 2 years.
Our law firm is experienced in handling claims arising out of Uber accidents and other vehicle accidents. We represent clients from across the Philadelphia region and help them to get the compensation they deserve for their injuries, including recouping their costs from medical care and missed work.
Solnick Lawyers has been representing vehicle accident victims in the Greater Philadelphia area, and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, for more than 20 years. We are not intimidated by the tactics of aggressive corporations, insurance companies, or government agencies. We face them day after day in negotiations and courtrooms to secure justice for our clients, and we will do the same for you. Solnick Lawyers is on your side. Contact us today for a free consultation.
I had a very pleasurable experience with Solnick & Assoc. Not only was the staff very friendly and welcoming, but I was also encouraged by their knowledge and professionalism.
— Desiree GetzJay and everyone at his firm were very professional. Great attention to detail and transparent throughout the whole process. I would definitely recommend Jay and his firm to anyone that needs legal assistance.
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