Uber Accidents

Today people prefer to use Uber for their transportation needs rather than scheduling a cab in advance or flagging one down waiting on the road. One can just open the Uber app and get connected to a driver, who will pick you up and drop you to your desired location. How much ever convenient these rides are, unfortunately there are instances of Uber accidents almost every day. Both the people riding on these cabs or pedestrians on the road can be victims of Uber accidents.

We at Khashan Law have worked on numerous cases and helped claim compensation and medical help for victims of Uber accidents.

Common injuries in an Uber accident:

• Fractures and broken bones
• Concussions, head or brain injuries
• Cuts and bruises
• Disability – permanent or Temporary

The state of California has passed a number of laws for protecting and helping the drivers and people involved in the accident like pedestrians, cyclists, or the passengers of the same car or another vehicle. If you have been involved in an Uber accident in California, depending on the situation and circumstances you will need to determine whether you can file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation.

Types of Uber Accidents

• Another car is hit by the Uber driver causing an accident
• An Uber car hits your car resulting in an accident

If you have been injured because of the negligence of a third party you are entitled to be compensated for the medical costs, injuries, pain and suffering.

California Liability for Ridesharing Services

The law requires the Uber drivers to use their own personal vehicles to give rides to the customers. The drivers of Uber are not Uber employees, they are treated as contractors. Therefore to calculate the liability of the company (Uber) for the accident or the driver’s action has been always under dispute.

It is important to know that California follows a traditional fault or tort liability system for accidents involving a motor vehicle. Which means that in case of an accident, the at-fault parties would be responsible for paying the damages. Because of the tort liability system all drivers are supposed to subscribe to and carry liability insurance with them.
Therefore Uber drivers would be responsible to have adequate insurance to pay the not-at-fault party.

Compensation for Uber accidents:

• Pedestrian hit by an Uber: : If you were a pedestrian and were involved in an accident with an Uber and you were not at fault for the accident, then you can file for compensation under the company’s (Uber) liability coverage. In case of settlement issues, you could also file a lawsuit.
• Driver of another car hit by an Uber: If you were driving another car and were hit by an Uber and you were not at fault, you can file a claim with the vehicle’s insurance policy However if you were at fault, then you will need to look up to your own insurance’s coverage. In case of fault on both the parties, then both the drivers will need to share the liability for the accident and split the costs of damages.