Utilizing a ridesharing service is supposed to help alleviate some of the stress of navigating busy Dallas roadways. In a city as large as Dallas, someone is always willing to offer you a ride for the right price. Unfortunately, the popularity of ridesharing applications like Uber doesn’t always mean these services are safe. Accidents can happen. When a rideshare accident does occur, you should contact an Uber Accident Lawyer in Dallas immediately.
Ridesharing companies like Uber operate to turn a profit. Paying large accident settlements to injured riders is generally not a part of the profit-generating business plan. Many ridesharing companies utilize legal loopholes to minimize their liability. They also make the claims process confusing for passengers.
If you are injured in an Uber accident, you deserve fair compensation. However, rideshare accident cases are complicated and recovering compensation takes the dedication and tenacity of an experienced attorney.
To find out more about your legal rights and how an Uber accident attorney can help you, contact The Benton Law Firm today at (214) 777-7777. We offer a free case evaluation to help you evaluate your legal options for seeking compensation for your financial losses.
Are Uber Accidents Different from Other Types of Car Accidents?
Individuals injured in Dallas Uber accidents may be in for a rude awakening when they attempt to file an insurance claim. Uber accidents are unlike other types of car accidents. Navigating a ridesharing accident claim can be much more challenging because companies like Uber do not consider their drivers to be company employees.
If a driver is not an Uber employee, what are they? Companies like Uber have a unique business model. Technically, most ridesharing drivers are independent contractors. Independent contractors are not direct employees working for Uber. Instead, they are a separate classification of workers more akin to a freelancer.
One of the benefits of hiring drivers as independent contractors is that the company can skirt legal liability following significant car accidents, saving the company money in the long run. In most cases, a company is not responsible for the careless actions of a driver because that driver does not directly work for the company. Independent contractors and freelancers are also not extended the same rights and protections as full-fledged company employees.
Finally, as independent contractors, drivers are not required to complete any special training or driver’s education courses specific to transporting passengers. Companies like Uber generally only require contractors to own their vehicles and carry the minimum car insurance policy coverage required by state law.
What Type of Insurance Coverage Does Uber Provide?
Some ridesharing companies provide drivers with liability coverage in the event of an accident. However, this coverage only extends to passengers in certain situations. The online status of your driver at the time of the collision is crucial. It is the main factor determining whether Uber’s insurance coverage will apply.
Driver’s Status is Offline – An Uber driver is offline when not logged in to the Uber application. If an accident occurs when a driver is technically offline, the driver’s personal insurance coverage will apply.
Driver is Available and Waiting for a Ride Request – A driver is available when logged into the Uber app and waiting for a ride request to come through. Uber insurance applies in the following amounts.
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
Driver en Route to Pick Up Riders or in the Middle of a Transport – When a driver is actively transporting riders from one location to another or is in the process of picking up passengers, the following Uber coverage applies:
- $1,000,000 third-party liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
Uber extends the same insurance coverage guidelines for Uber delivery drivers as well. These drivers deliver food or other goods instead of transporting passengers.
In addition to basic Uber coverage, the ridesharing company also encourages drivers to expand their personal auto insurance coverage. Many companies will extend an individual’s coverage by adding a rideshare and delivery policy to their existing auto insurance coverage.
Liability and Compensation in Ridesharing Accidents
Determining liability following an Uber accident can be challenging. Getting an experienced Dallas ridesharing accident attorney on your side is crucial. An attorney has the resources to conduct a complete investigation into the cause of the accident to determine who is at fault.
Identifying who is at fault for causing the crash is the first step in determining who is liable for paying for your financial losses. Uber accident cases can be hard to navigate because more than one party may be responsible for compensating you after a crash. After an accident, one or more of the following parties may be liable:
- The rideshare driver
- The rideshare company
- The driver of the other vehicle
Recovering compensation from an at-fault driver or their insurer can be challenging. The strength of your claim rests on the evidence collected in the aftermath of the collision. Again, a skilled attorney can collect this vital evidence before it is lost or destroyed. An attorney can assess your claim’s value based on the unique circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. In general, you may be able to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Never accept a settlement offer or sign insurance paperwork without talking to a seasoned Dallas Uber accident lawyer. You could be accepting an offer far below what your claim is worth and signing away your legal rights.
Contact an Experienced Dallas Uber Car Accident Attorney Today
At The Benton Law Firm in Dallas, we have a long track record of successfully helping accident victims recover the compensation they need, including in rideshare accident cases. To date, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for injured accident victims like you. Our compassionate team of Dallas Uber accident lawyers will carefully review your case and work towards earning a favorable outcome for you.
Need help managing an Uber accident claim? Call The Benton Law Firm today at (214) 777-7777 to set up a free initial case evaluation.
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