Passenger in an Uber Accident: What You Need To Do

Uber rideshares are an incredibly convenient way to get around, particularly in the Long Island area. With just a few taps on your screen, you can get a ride to wherever you need to go, whether you’re catching a flight at JFK or LaGuardia or simply trying to get into the city. Yet getting an Uber isn’t without its safety risks, particularly given that its drivers receive no formal training on safe driving.

If you are hurt in an Uber accident as a passenger, you should report the accident, gather important information, take photos and videos, and seek medical attention. When you are able, your next step should be to schedule a free consultation with a Long Island Uber accident attorney. Our team of seasoned lawyers will help you pursue a claim against Uber and fight to get you maximum compensation for your injuries.

The Odierno Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers represent clients in Suffolk and Nassau Counties who have been hurt in all types of accidents. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we get money for you. Contact our law offices to schedule an appointment with a Long Island car accident attorney.

What to Do After an Uber Accident in New York

After any type of car accident, there are a few steps that you can take to protect yourself and your legal rights. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might not be able to do all of these things. You should do whatever you are capable of doing at the time.

First, you should get help. For more serious injuries, this may mean calling 911. The dispatcher can send police and an ambulance, if necessary. When law enforcement arrives, they can investigate the crash and write up an accident report. This can be incredibly helpful as evidence in a personal injury claim.

Second, you should report the accident to Uber. You can do this directly through the app. Navigate to “Trip and Fare Review,” then select “I was involved in an accident.” You can then input basic information about the crash directly into the app. If you’d rather wait, your Long Island Uber accident lawyer can report the accident to Uber for you.

Third, start to gather information. You can access the driver’s name through the app, but you could also make a note of it separately. You should also get the driver’s insurance information, along with the information for any other involved vehicles. Take a picture of or write down the license plate numbers for all involved vehicles as well.

If there are any witnesses or people involved in the accident, get their names and contact information. You should also take a screenshot of your Uber app with all of the relevant information about your ride, including your receipt.

Fourth, take photographs and videos of the accident scene. Use your phone to document the damage to all involved vehicles and your own injuries. You should also take some wider shots of the street, any signs, the location and positioning of the vehicles, and even the weather conditions at the time of the crash.

Fifth, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you think that you weren’t seriously hurt, it is always a good idea to be seen by a doctor after a car accident. Symptoms of some types of injuries often aren’t immediately apparent, especially if you are in shock. Going to the ER, urgent care, or another medical facility immediately after the accident can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment.

In addition to being a good idea for your health and well-being, getting medical care is also a smart move in terms of your legal claim. Insurance companies often try to claim that your injuries weren’t related to the accident or that they were pre-existing. Getting medical treatment is a good way to establish a direct link between the accident and your injuries.

After you are seen by a doctor, make sure that you follow their instructions, including for follow-up care and diagnostic testing. Take notes of any symptoms that you are experiencing. This can be important evidence when it comes to establishing your losses.

Sixth, when you are able to do so, take notes about the accident. Your memory isn’t always reliable, so contemporaneous notes about the crash can be a good source of information. Try to write down as much as possible about the collision, including the date and time, location, the direction that different vehicles were traveling, the weather, and anything else that you can remember.

Seventh, schedule a free initial consultation with a Long Island personal injury attorney. During this appointment, your lawyer will listen to your story and then offer you legal advice about your rights and options. This is the best way to get a clear understanding of the possibility of filing a claim and to get more information about how to protect your interests. 

Can I File a Claim Against Uber?

Uber accidents are a bit different than other types of car accident claims. Uber drivers are independent contractors, not employees. This can make determining who is financially responsible for your injuries a bit more complicated.

If the Uber driver caused the accident, then you may be able to file a claim against the driver’s insurance policy and/or Uber’s commercial policy. This will depend on what the Uber driver was doing at the time of the crash:

1. If the driver was not currently working at the time of the accident, then their own auto insurance policy will be responsible for paying for your losses.
2. If the driver was logged into the app and waiting for a passenger to order a ride, then you can file a claim with Uber’s insurance. The limits on this type of claim are $30,000 for property damage, $50,000 for bodily injury to 1 person, and $100,000 for bodily injury to more than 1 person.
3. If the driver had a passenger in the vehicle or was on their way to pick up a passenger, then you can file a claim against Uber’s commercial policy. This coverage includes $1,000,000 in liability and $1,000,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance.

If you were a passenger in the Uber at the time of the crash, then you can file a claim against Uber’s commercial policy. Our Long Island rideshare accident attorneys can help you file your claim. We will investigate the facts of the accident, gather evidence to support your claim, and draft a demand letter to Uber and its insurance company. 

Whenever possible, we will resolve the case outside of court through skillful settlement. If necessary, we will take your case to trial to help you get the compensation that you deserve.

It is important to remember that even if Uber accepts responsibility for the crash, they almost certainly won’t offer you full compensation unless you are represented by counsel. Their goal is to resolve your claim for as little money as possible. As your attorney, we will fight to get you maximum compensation for your losses.

Compensation in an Uber accident case may include money for all of your losses. Typically, this means compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Together, they are referred to as compensatory damages. 

Economic damages include money for:

• Medical bills
• Future medical treatment
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity

Non-economic damages pay for indirect losses, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress

In an Uber accident case, you will likely recover compensatory damages. If the crash was caused by intentional and/or reckless conduct, such as driving under the influence, you may also recover punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish a wrongdoer, rather than to compensate an injury victim.

The Odierno Law Firm works hard to develop evidence to support a claim for all of your losses. We won’t simply accept a lowball settlement offer. Instead, we will take on Uber and its insurance company to get you fair compensation for your losses.

Studies show that people who are represented by counsel recover far more compensation in car accident cases compared to people who represent themselves. For each rideshare accident case, our goal is to get you the most compensation possible. We also handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you’ll never pay a fee unless we recover money for you.

Help for Uber Accident Victims in New York

When you get into an Uber, you don’t expect to be hurt in an accident. Unfortunately, Uber accidents are all too common due to driver inexperience, distracted driving, or simple driver error. Our Long Island personal injury lawyers will fight to help you get top dollar for your losses.

At The Odierno Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers, we work hard to help our clients get maximum compensation for their injuries in all types of motor vehicle accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, and Uber accidents. We are fierce advocates for our clients, never backing down until we get them the money that they deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Long Island Uber accident attorney, call us at 631-973-6221 or fill out our online contact form.