Rideshare companies like Uber are everywhere now. But as a passenger, you’re putting yourself at risk of a rideshare accident. Uber drivers sometimes get into wrecks, and the rideshare company is required to have hefty liability policies for these situations.
Accessing that money can be tough without the help of an Uber accident attorney serving Charlottesville. The Pendleton Law Team helps victims of Uber accidents discover their legal options and, if possible, access that huge insurance policy to get compensation.
What Is Uber’s Insurance Policy?
As of this writing (August, 2022), Uber’s Driver-Partner insurance policy offers different coverage levels depending on the status of the driver at the time of the accident. In order for any of them to apply, the driver has to be logged into the app.
If the driver is logged in and hasn’t accepted a ride request, the coverages are:
- Third-party liability coverage beyond your insurance up to $50,000 per individual, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident
If a ride request has been accepted or a rideshare is in progress, the coverages are:
- Up to $1 million in third-party liability insurance
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Comprehensive and collision insurance in some cases (notably, there is a $2,500 deductible with this coverage)
All this is above and beyond the driver’s personal insurance, which has to be used before the third-party coverage will kick in. Solving who is responsible and which insurance policies apply is one task of an Uber accident attorney.
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Contributory Negligence: A Complication in Virginia
Virginia law uses an older system of finding fault in accidents called contributory negligence. In short, if you contributed at all to your accident, you cannot collect damages in court. Virginia is one of the few states that still has this rule, rather than splitting compensation based on the percentage of fault.
If you are a passenger in an Uber, this rule probably doesn’t apply to you. If you’re a driver, you’ll need to prove that the other driver was completely at fault for your accident. That’s something your Charlottesville Uber accident attorney can help you with.
There are three things you’ll need to do before you speak to a lawyer. Call the police to give an accident report, contact Uber to notify them of the crash, and then seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Then, contact Pendleton Law for further advice.
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Why You Need an Uber Accident Lawyer After Your Accident
Proving which insurance policies apply to your situation is complicated since there are so many options for coverage. An Uber accident attorney will sort through the situation and determine exactly who is and isn’t liable for your accident so that you don’t waste time barking up the wrong tree.
The insurance companies will try to pass the buck off to other people, or possibly claim that you were partially responsible for the accident. These companies handle thousands of claims every day. Without a legal background, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll get the full value of your case to counter their claims.
Worst of all, the worse your injuries are, the more likely they are to play games with your compensation. They don’t want to pay large payouts if they don’t have to. So, we’ll make them with a strong case that will force them to settle, or we’ll drag them to court and let the judge decide.
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Damages You Could Receive From an Uber Accident
The consequences of your accident are called damages, and some consequences can be compensated for through a lawsuit or insurance claim. Economic damages are the most obvious ones that come to mind, things like:
- Repairing your vehicle
- Paying for your medical bills
- Paying for your lost wages
- Payments for disability, lost potential income, and similar work-related damages
- Payment for final expenses, if you’re a loved one suing in a wrongful death situation
There are also non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, disfigurement, or loss of consortium that don’t have a dollar amount but can be compensated by law. Charlottesville Uber accident attorneys can negotiate with the insurance company about these.
In egregious cases of gross negligence, the court may also award punitive damages above and beyond your actual injuries. This is a punishment against the defendant for being especially negligent. We can ask for these, but it is up to the court to decide if they will and for how much.
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How Long Do I Have to File My Uber Accident Claim?
Under Virginia’s statute of limitations, you have three years to file a personal injury claim before you lose the right to a court case. That’s three years from the date of the accident. Therefore, it’s important to get your case started as soon as you’ve seen a doctor to confirm your injuries.
Starting early gives your lawyer time to work on your case before the statute expires, and it also gives them more time to negotiate with the insurance companies. Since you do not have to pay an Uber accident lawyer unless you win, there’s no down-side to starting as soon as possible.
Our team will work tirelessly to get you a favorable outcome in your case, whether that’s through a settlement or through trial. Your best chance of success starts with starting your case early with the Pendleton Law Team.
Call Our Uber Accident Lawyers for a Consultation Today
If you’ve been in an accident with an Uber vehicle and you were injured, don’t wait. Call our Uber accident lawyers representing Charlottesville claims at the number on your screen. You can also schedule a free consultation through our website by contacting us online.
Your consultation is without obligation and there is no harm speaking with multiple lawyers if you’ve already consulted with one but haven’t retained them yet. See why we’re different before you decide.
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