Here’s what to do after being involved in a car accident as an Uber Driver.
Uber drivers are on the road as a full-time job, putting them at higher risk for a car accident. While Uber drivers can control their safety, they can’t control how other cars act. Even the best defensive driver may still get into a car accident some time in their life. Unfortunately, as a professional driver, this is something you may experience. But what do you do after you’re involved in an accident, and how will Uber help you throughout the process?
In 2017 there were only 49 Uber-related fatalities over 8.2 billion miles traveled. Uber averages .59 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. This is about half the United States average for motor vehicle accidents, which stands at 1.1 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled.
Explaining Uber’s Rideshare Model
There are three different types of accidents that you can be involved in as a driver for Uber, depending on your status on the app.
- You drive for Uber, but you’re offline. Offline means that you aren’t officially on the clock and have no passengers in your vehicle. If you get into an accident while offline, Uber won’t be involved at all in your lawsuit.
- You’re online waiting for a passenger, meaning no one is currently in your vehicle. Uber may provide supplemental coverage if your insurance (or, more likely, the at-fault party’s insurance company) lacks.
- You’re online with a passenger (or passengers) in your vehicle. If the at-fault party doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to cover damages for you and the passengers, Uber’s supplemental insurance may be used to cover any extra damages.
What is Uber’s Insurance Coverage?
Suppose you have a passenger in your vehicle, or you’re on your way to pick one up. In that case, Uber’s insurance coverage offers $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury, and contingent comprehensive and collision insurance up to the actual cash value of your vehicle.
Unfortunately, if you’re online waiting for a ride request, you likely won’t be able to use Uber’s insurance coverage as they only offer third-party liability insurance, including $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident if your insurance doesn’t apply. This coverage only comes into play if you’re the one at fault for the accident.
What Should I Do After My Accident?
After you’re involved in an accident, you should check and make sure that you and any riders are safe and don’t require immediate medical treatment. If immediate medical treatment is needed, call 911 immediately.
You should then contact the police to start filing a police report. They’ll head out to the scene of the accident to speak with all involved parties and any witnesses. While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, you should exchange information with any other parties involved, giving them your insurance information, name, and phone number. You should get this information from everyone involved as well.
After gathering information, take some pictures of the accident. Take photos of your injuries, damage to your vehicle, damage to any other vehicles involved, and pictures of the scene. A picture is worth a thousand words and can speak volumes on liability.
You should then file an accident report claim with Uber, but more on that later. After gathering as much information as possible, you should head to the emergency room to have your injuries evaluated. Even if you don’t believe that you’ve been injured, you should still be seen by a professional to make sure.
After receiving medical treatment, you should start looking for an attorney to represent your case. Don’t speak with any insurance companies until you’ve hired an attorney. Insurance companies may try to twist your words or get a statement out of you in exchange for quick cash. This could damage your claim.
Filing an Accident Report Claim with Uber
After you’re involved in an accident as a rideshare driver, you should fill out an accident report form. Uber’s form needs to be filled out by you and any third-party in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
The accident report form will ask basic questions. And then Uber will reach out to you directly to gather any additional information and make sure that everyone is okay.
Will Uber File an Insurance Claim on my Behalf?
Uber retains the right to file an insurance claim against the driver who caused the crash. They may file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf. If Uber believes that negligence was involved in your accident, they may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, for Uber to file a lawsuit on your behalf, you have to have concrete evidence that proves the other driver was acting with negligence.
If Uber doesn’t file a claim on your behalf, you’re welcome to take matters into your own hands and find your own representation.
Speak with a Minnesota Uber Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured while driving for Uber, please contact us as soon as possible for help with your accident claim. Filing a lawsuit as an Uber driver can be tricky, but we’re here to help you through the steps. For more information, please contact us online or at 651-291-7263.