There is no question that you’re going to be needing a lawyer after being injured in an Uber crash in or around Philadelphia. You might ask why. Here are some common questions that our clients ask.
Q. Aren’t Uber drivers required to have insurance like anybody else?
A. Yes they are. In fact, they probably have two insurance companies covering them.
Q. If an Uber driver has two insurance companies, why would I need a lawyer?
A. The two different insurance companies cover Uber drivers at different times. Disputes arise on whether the drivers were on their own time, on their way to pick up Uber customers or even transporting them.
Q. How does what an Uber driver is doing at the time of an injury accident affect insurance coverage?
A. If the Uber driver is on his or her personal time, or if he or she is logged into the Uber app and awaiting a customer, the insurance coverage is likely to be drastically less. That’s because the driver is riding on his or her own insurance coverage.
Q. Is Uber’s insurance coverage higher than California’s required minimum liability insurance?
A. Yes it is. Pursuant to California law, Uber drivers are required to have $1 million in liability insurance coverage and another $1 million of uninsured motorist insurance.
Q. When is the $1 million in liability and uninsured motorist insurance triggered?
A. As soon as the Uber driver accepts a rider, he or she is covered on the $1 million mandatory coverage from the time that the car is set in motion to pick up that passenger. The coverage continues until such time as the passenger reaches their destination and gets out of the vehicle.
Q. What happens if I’m injured in an accident involving an Uber vehicle, and neither the drivers personal insurance or Uber’s insurance will cover the driver?
A. That’s when you’re stuck in the middle with the two insurance companies pointing at each other. We’ll file a lawsuit and let the two insurance companies fight out who must pay.
Q. What do I do if an insurance company contacts me and wants a statement?
A. California law doesn’t require you to give an opposing insurance company any kind of a statement. No matter what that insurance company’s representative says, politely refuse to give a statement and call us instead.
Contact a Philadelphia Uber Accident Lawyer
Being injured in an Uber accident gets complicated quickly. Whether you were an Uber passenger, another motorist, a bicyclist or a pedestrian, contact us as soon as possible after being involved in an Uber crash to arrange for a free consultation and case review. If we’re retained to represent you, we know how to force the insurance coverage issue. You may also wish to check out our page dedicated to Uber accidents in Philadelphia.