Fort Lauderdale Florida Accident Lawyers: How USAttorneys.com Can Help with Your Accident Case
If you are someone who is currently employed as an Uber driver in Fort Lauderdale, FL, you have probably familiarized yourself with Uber’s app and its features, how to properly accept rides, and how you get paid for each trip. While most drivers understand the basics of being an Uber driver, many aren’t aware of what to do in the event of an accident and who to turn to for compensation when their vehicle is damaged or they sustain injuries. If you were recently involved in an accident while on the clock as an Uber driver, here is what you need to know regarding when Uber will cover the crash and why you might need a Fort Lauderdale, FL Uber accident lawyer to help you recover the compensation you need for the damages incurred.
When the Accident Occurs While Waiting for a Request
Let’s say you were driving and online with Uber waiting for a request when a vehicle rear-ended your car. The driver who hit you wasn’t paying attention, putting them at fault for causing the collision. So, who will pay for the damage your vehicle sustained—Uber or the at-fault driver? In this case, because the other party was responsible for causing the accident, you would need to file a claim through their insurer just as you would had you not been driving for Uber. You may also be able to recover compensation from your own insurance policy.
Now, let’s reverse roles and put you in the other driver’s shoes. Suppose you accidentally rear-ended a car because you were glancing down at your phone or engaging in other distracted behavior, making you at fault for causing the wreck. In this scenario, Uber’s liability insurance should cover the other driver’s property damage and injuries. Although Uber says coverage limits vary by state, the minimum limits they provide when you are liable for causing an accident include:
- $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
This means Uber should provide the third party with up to $50,000 for bodily injury and up to $25,000 for property damage.
What if the Accident Happened While En Route to Pick Someone Up or You Had a Passenger in Your Vehicle?
If the car accident occurred while you were in the process of picking up a rider who requested a ride through the Uber app or you already had a passenger, Uber protects you with the following coverages:
- Liability Insurance: If you cause an accident involving another motorist or pedestrian, or it is a single-vehicle accident resulting in property damage, you are covered by Uber’s liability insurance up to $1,000,000 per accident.
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage: This covers you and any passengers if another motorist causes an accident and does not have insurance or isn’t carrying enough coverage to pay for the damage caused. It also covers hit-and-run accidents involving a driver who fled the scene. Minimum coverage limits provided are $1,000,000 per accident.
- Contingent Collision and Comprehensive Coverage: If you are involved in an accident, whether it is your fault or not, Uber will provide you coverage up to the actual cash value of your vehicle, provided you have purchased collision coverage under your personal insurance policy. Uber requires that a $1,000 deductible be satisfied before they will pay anything.
Will Uber Pay for an Accident That Occurs When Using Your Vehicle for Personal Reasons?
Uber does not provide coverage for drivers using their vehicles for personal use. In this case, if you were involved in an accident, you would need to submit a claim through your own insurer or, if another driver was at fault, through theirs to get your vehicle repaired and your medical bills paid.
Why You Might Need a Fort Lauderdale, FL Uber Accident Lawyer
While Uber claims you are covered by the insurance policies mentioned above, giving you the sense that you are protected and in good hands, the truth is, filing a claim through Uber’s insurance policy or any other insurer responsible for causing a car crash can be challenging. Insurers sometimes don’t want to pay claims or provide the claimant with a settlement far lower than what their damage is worth. And as for Uber, you may even run into trouble when trying to contact the right department responsible for handling your claim. That is why drivers who use their vehicles for rideshare purposes are always encouraged to contact a Fort Lauderdale, FL Uber accident lawyer following a collision to ensure they are properly compensated and that their claim isn’t left in limbo.
Contacting an Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you were involved in an Uber accident in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area, whether you are a rideshare driver or a passenger and would like help recovering compensation for the damage and injuries the accident caused, you will want to connect with an accident attorney experienced in handling ridesharing collisions. The legal professionals at Madalon Law are some of the best in the field who have already helped many victims of these types of accidents get their claims filed and paid and are ready to help you.
Madalon Law Contact Information:
- Address: 100 N. Federal Hwy CU5, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Phone: 954-923-0072
- Website: www.madalonlaw.com
Don’t let the complexities of an Uber accident claim overwhelm you. Contact the Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers at Madalon Law to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.