If you or a loved one were involved in an Uber accident in California and were injured as a result, trust the experienced Los Angeles personal injury firm MI ABOGADO ® to help you get just compensation for your losses. We will relentlessly fight for you and your best interests, holding any and all negligent parties accountable for their actions and helping you secure the maximum possible settlement. You deserve to seek justice.
The multi-billion dollar rideshare company Uber, based out of California, has become a household name. Just like you use a Kleenex, make a Xerox, and put on a Band-Aid, ordering an Uber has become synonymous with using rideshare services. The name of the company, in just 14 years, has become a noun and a verb people use daily. More and more people are turning to Uber each day for their rideshare needs due to its convenience, affordability, and accessibility.
Car accident claims involving Uber drivers are far more complex than an average car accident claim. On top of all of the traditional parties – the drivers, passengers, and insurance companies – there is now a company valued at over $60 billion that will fight tooth and nail to hold on to every penny of its profits. Their policies are strict, and they bolster those policies with a team of investigators, experts, and lawyers who are looking for any loophole they can find to avoid paying anybody involved rightful compensation for their losses.
If you or a loved one were involved in an Uber accident, it’s vital that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney who will fight back aggressively so you get the justice you deserve. A boutique personal injury law firm based in Los Angeles, MI ABOGADO ® has helped hundreds of thousands of clients like you recover in their personal injury cases, with a success rate of 96%. Contact us today so we can start relentlessly fighting for you, your future, and your best interests.
How Uber Accidents Differ from Traditional Car Accidents
Uber boasts extensive safety features for riders, purporting to put the safety of their riders at the top of their list of priorities. These features allow riders to learn more about their driver, track their route, and share ride details with friends and family. Uber also keeps the rider’s phone number and personal information protected and allows access to emergency services right from the Uber app. Uber also advertises that they regularly verify the identity of their drivers, and have new features to encourage drivers to operate their vehicles at a safe speed. However, Uber’s support starts and ends there, and they are reluctant to take any blame or lose any of their vast profits when there is an accident involving an Uber ride.
In order to maximize profits, minimize responsibility for the actions of their drivers, and deflect liability, Uber operates with their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. Additionally, just about anybody with a valid driver’s license and a relatively clean driving record can become an Uber driver. Uber only has a few requirements for their drivers:
- Be of a certain age, which varies by location
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have at least one year of experience driving (or three years if the driver is under 25)
- Have access to an approved 4-door vehicle model with a valid registration
- Is insured to drive
After that, Uber runs a basic background check, and the driver can hit the road as an independent contractor with Uber. There’s no training involved. There are no drug tests and the drivers are not fingerprinted. Moreover, Uber isn’t responsible for inspecting or maintaining – or ensuring that the driver maintains – the vehicles.
By using carefully crafted language, Uber keeps liability coverage at a minimum for all parties using and operating these services, and they will fight hard to part with the least amount of money possible. While it is possible to recover damages from Uber, your chances are much better with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Accident victims can recover from the Uber driver’s personal car insurance policy, and Uber’s added insurance policies. If the accident took place when the driver was not connected to the Uber app, only the driver’s personal car insurance covers the accident. If the driver was using the Uber app but didn’t have a passenger in the vehicle, Uber provides the mandatory minimum amount of liability coverage, $200,000, in addition to the driver’s own insurance policy. If there was an Uber passenger present in the vehicle, Uber provides the legal minimum amount of liability coverage, which is $1,000,000, in addition to the driver’s own policy.
Common Injuries Resulting from an Uber Accident
Like any car accident, Uber accidents can result in significant, even fatal injuries. Uber passengers are more prone to severe injuries if they weren’t wearing a seatbelt. The experienced personal injury attorneys at MI ABOGADO ® have a network of trusted medical professionals and can help ensure you get the highest quality medical care.
The injuries that occur most often following an Uber accident include:
- Scrapes, cuts, and lacerations
- Bruising
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries, including rib fractures
- Internal injuries
- Ankle, leg, and knee injuries
- Neck and shoulder injuries, such as whiplash
- Back and spinal cord injuries, sometimes ultimately resulting in paralysis
- Head injuries, including skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disabilities and impairments
- Wrongful death
- Emotional damage such as PTSD
How MI ABOGADO Can Help You with Your Uber Accident Claim
The team at MI ABOGADO ® understands that following an Uber accident, your recovery needs to be your first priority. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to handle everything else for you, guiding you through the process from start to finish. We won’t let a single detail or document slip through the cracks, and we will fight aggressively for the maximum settlement possible. Let us handle your case so you can focus on what’s really important – your health, your family, and your future.
We begin our comprehensive services with an in-depth investigation of the circumstances surrounding your Uber accident. We will ascertain a cause and identify all the parties who we can hold accountable for their negligence. From there, we will collect evidence and interview witnesses so we can build a powerful case for recovery. At that point, we will consult expert witnesses, and find any and all available avenues to strengthen your case and increase your settlement.
The next step of the process is negotiations, where we communicate with all of the parties involved in your Uber accident, their lawyers, and the insurance company, and we’ll take on Uber for you. We will fight aggressively for a settlement that truly reflects everything you lost in the accident. While our goal is to save you the time, energy, uncertainty, and stresses of taking your case to court, we are prepared to go to court for you if that’s what it takes to get justice for your losses.
Contact Our Skilled Los Angeles Uber Accident Attorney Today
After an Uber accident, the last thing victims and their loved ones need – with medical bills piling high and lost wages leaving their pockets empty – is to pay for the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. MI ABOGADO ® gives you the guarantee that you won’t pay a dime to us until you see just compensation for your losses.
We proudly serve clients in our home of Los Angeles, and across the state of California. We use sophisticated technology and have a broad network of trusted medical professionals spanning the state, so we are able to take cases from San Diego to San Jose.
Contact us today. All initial consultations – and second opinions – are free, confidential, and no-obligation. Let us get started fighting for you to see justice for what you’ve lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Uber driver caused the accident that resulted in my injury. Who is liable?
In the case of an accident caused by an Uber driver, liability depends on several factors, including whether the driver was actively working for Uber at the time of the accident. If the driver was on the app and transporting a passenger or en route to pick one up, Uber’s insurance coverage may apply. However, if the driver was not using the app, their personal auto insurance would be responsible. An experienced Uber accident attorney can help determine the liable party in your specific case.
Is the rideshare app that my Uber driver used considered a driving distraction?
While rideshare apps like Uber are necessary for drivers to receive ride requests and navigate to destinations, they can potentially be a source of distraction if not used responsibly. If it can be proven that the Uber driver was distracted by the app while driving, this could be considered a contributing factor to the accident and may impact liability.
If I am in a car accident involving an Uber driver, what are some things I can do to help my case?
If you are involved in an accident with an Uber driver, follow these steps to help build a strong case:
- Ensure your safety and the safety of others involved.
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Gather information, such as the Uber driver’s name, contact information, license plate number, and insurance details.
- Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage and any visible injuries.
- Obtain contact information from witnesses.
- Seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Keep a record of all medical expenses and lost wages.
- Contact an experienced Uber accident attorney to discuss your case.
If my car was hit by an Uber driver, can I sue the company?
Determining whether you can sue Uber directly for an accident involving one of their drivers depends on the specific circumstances of the case. In general, Uber drivers are considered independent contractors rather than employees. This distinction can make it more challenging to hold Uber directly responsible for the actions of their drivers. However, Uber does provide insurance coverage for accidents involving their drivers under certain conditions. An experienced Uber accident attorney can help assess your case and determine the best course of action for seeking compensation.