The Role of Uber in Our Lives and the Growing Concern
Uber has become an integral part of our lives. Whether you do not have a car to get around or you simply had to drink one too many, you can always request an Uber ride and the vehicle that matches your preferences will arrive at your doorstep within 5 to 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, Americans ditching their cars to ride Uber has added one more headache: “What to do if I was injured in an Uber accident?” This is the question our Phoenix Uber accident attorney here at Lorona Mead was asked dozens of times in the past few weeks.
An increasing number of people in Phoenix and elsewhere in Arizona sustain injuries in Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing accidents, so it is about time to finally disperse the cloud of confusion surrounding liability coverage in Uber accidents and steps you should take after a ridesharing accident.
Liability coverage in Uber accidents in Arizona
While the minimum insurance coverage that taxies in Arizona are legally required to carry is $300,000, liability coverage provided through Uber and Lyft usually exceeds the amount that is legally required for traditional taxies.
In Arizona, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in coverage for accidents involving passengers if the driver was on the clock and the ridesharing app was on at the time of the collision. “If the damages exceed $1 million, the injured passenger or other party may be able to access the at-fault driver’s additional coverage,” explains our experienced Uber accident attorney in Phoenix.
The problem is, however, that over 77 percent of all Uber and Lyft drivers in the U.S. do not carry any other insurance coverage beyond what is offered by their company, according to a recent SherpaShare study.
What to do if you were injured in an Uber accident?
If you have been in a car accident involving Uber, the success of your legal case to recover damages will depend on your actions in the aftermath of the ridesharing accident.
First and foremost, take pictures and videos at the scene of the collision and, if possible, take several screenshots in your Uber app which show that you requested this ride and that you were mid-way to your destination at the time of the accident.
Write down the time of the Uber accident and collect the names of all the parties involved. Speak to the witnesses and obtain their contact information as well. Call the police and wait for their arrival, as you will need a police report to strengthen your legal case.
More importantly, seek medical attention and document your injuries. Then, get in touch with a Phoenix Uber accident attorney in order to discuss all of the legal options available in your case. The sooner you file a personal injury claim, the better the chance to recover compensation. Do not rush into accepting the first initial settlement your or the other party’s insurance company will offer you.
Speak with your attorney to determine which amount will be fair and sufficient to cover all of your damages, both past and future, including but not limited to medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and many other damages.
Getting compensation after an Uber accident is never complicated if you are represented by a skilled lawyer from Lorona Mead, one of the leading personal injury law firms in Arizona. Call our offices at 602-385-6825 or fill out this contact form to get a free consultation.
