Uber likes to call itself a transportation network company (TNC) that provides rides to its customers from one location to another. Given the fact that the TNC provides a more effective transportation alternative at a lower price than competing taxi companies, Uber has been hugely successful.
Although Uber has a history of getting its customers to where they’re going without incident, there are exceptions, especially when accidents occur. Some of those accidents came to the attention of lawmakers in Sacramento, and certain statutes were passed in the interest of compensating victims of Uber accidents.
Different Cases Have Different Settlement Values
Whatever the circumstances surrounding an Uber accident might be, when we’re retained to represent a victim of an Uber accident, our objective is to obtain the maximum settlement that our client deserves. Depending on the evidence in an Uber accident case, Uber could be insured for as much as $1 million of liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. That $1 million of coverage is pursuant to what the state legislature requires. Of course, not every injury that is suffered in an Uber accident can be valued at $1 million. Here’s what needs to be factored into the settlement range equation:
- Liability: A determination must be made as to who was at fault for the accident. Two or more people might have contributed to the accident. Even an injured claimant like another driver, a motorcyclist, bicyclist or pedestrian might share fault. If the injury victim shared fault, the value of the case will decrease with any percentage of fault assigned to that victim.
- Damages: The nature and extent of the injuries suffered by the claimant have a direct bearing on the value of his or her case. A serious injury will have serious medical bills and significant lost time from a job because of the inability to work. There would likely be compensable permanent disfigurement or disability. On the other hand, a soft tissue injury might resolve in a matter of weeks with no permanency at all.
- The Insurance Company: If the accident occurred when the Uber driver was off of the clock and not logged into Uber’s app, the accident would likely be covered by his or her personal car insurer. A statutory minimum $15,000 policy limit is likely insufficient to cover serious injuries and damages. If the driver was logged into the Uber app, higher policy limits would apply, and there would likely be sufficient insurance to cover a serious injury.
Contact a California Uber Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t try to approach an accident involving an Uber vehicle on your own. Your physical recovery is demanding enough that you should leave your financial recovery to the experts. Contact us for a free and confidential case evaluation and review. If we’re retained to represent you, our mission will be to obtain the maximum settlement that you deserve.
