When we take ridesharing taxis like Uber and Lyft, we expect our driver to get us safely to and from our destination. Unfortunately, Uber drivers sometimes fall short of their duty to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of pedestrians and other drivers. If you or someone you know were hurt by an rideshare driver, you may file an Uber accident lawsuit for your damages as you would with any other type of driver.
Uber has many different types of ridesharing services. UberX is probably the one most people are familiar with. Passengers hail drivers and pay for their ride with the Uber app. UberX drivers are ordinary people using their own vehicles to earn a living or make some extra money part time. The money goes to the driver and Uber takes part of the fare as commission.
Types of Uber Ridesharing
Uber also connects passengers with commercial taxi services with UberBLACK, UberTAXI, and UberSUV. Drivers using these services carry state mandated levels of insurance liability coverage much lower than what UberX drivers carry. Because these are independently employed commercial drivers, Uber does provide insurance to these drivers.
Like all motor vehicle operators, UberX drivers are required to carry liability insurance in case of bodily harm or property damage. When passengers are in the vehicle, UberX drivers are covered by a $1 million insurance policy. UberX also maintains an additional $1 million worth of insurance coverage in cases of uninsured drivers.
While $1 million may seem like an exorbitant amount of coverage for a taxi driver, the reality is that catastrophic injuries requiring a lifetime of care may far surpass policy limits. The situation can be even more dire if drivers or pedestrians are injured by Uber drivers who are not carrying passengers: Uber’s $1 million insurance policies only apply when UberX drivers transport passengers.
When not carrying passengers, UberX drivers are only subject to $50,000 worth of liability insurance per injured person with a maximum policy limit of $100,000 for multiple injured persons. In UberX car accidents without passengers, Uber’s insurance policies only provide $25,000 in coverage to property damage.
Uber classifies its drivers as contractors or third-party providers and uses this as a legal defense in tragic cases involving wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury lawsuits. Powerful insurance companies and big corporations like Uber often fail to take care of the victims their employees.
San Francisco Uber Accident Lawsuits
Having a qualified Orlando auto accident attorney can make all the difference to the outcome of your case if you were hurt by an Uber driver. Circumstances will dictate the level of insurance coverage the driver is subject to and may ultimately affect the amount of compensation you will be able to recover for.
If you or someone you know were hurt by an Uber driver, contact a qualified attorney for a legal consultation about your case. Filing an Uber car accident lawsuit can help you recover for their property damage, hospital bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. California does have strict time deadlines when filing auto accident claims, so contact an attorney as soon as possible about your case.
