What to do if in an Accident or With an Uber Vehicle

Have you or a loved one found yourself in an auto accident while in an UBER? If so, there are many questions you may have such as, who is at fault, what insurance coverage will be used, how do you file a claim and when should you file a claim? The good news is that at Carabin Shaw, we have a San Antonio UBER accident attorney ready to answer those tough questions for you to streamline the process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. If you have found yourself asking, “What To Do If In An Accident Or With An UBER Vehicle,” the first step to take is to contact our knowledgeable San Antonio lawyers immediately so they can get to work for you right away!

Please note the following steps should be taken if you find yourself asking, “What To Do If In An Accident Or With An UBER Vehicle,” to ensure that your rights are protected after you have been in an auto accident in or with a rideshare car:

1. Always contact the San Antonio Police Department and have them file an accident report.
2. If possible take photos of the scene and the vehicles.
3. Get the names and contact information on all parties and all witnesses.
4. Get the other party’s insurance information.
5. If injured, immediately seek medical attention.
6. Document your injuries. This can play a significant factor in the potential value of your case. Take photos and write down specifics in addition to any medical paperwork if you visited a hospital.
7. Ask witnesses for their information including their names, phone numbers, and a brief description of what they witnessed.
8. Contact Carabin Shaw, as soon as possible to consult with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. Do not speak with insurance company individuals regarding your accident.
9. Do not sign any insurance documents and do not provide any written or oral statement, without the presence of our injury lawyers.
10. Follow up with all needed medical care providers.

It is important you understand that insurance coverage varies based on the different stages of an UBER ride. Our San Antonio attorneys here at Carabin Shaw can help examine your case to know what insurance coverage is most appropriate to utilize when settling your claim.

The four stages of an UBER ride are as follows: App On, Request Accepted, On Trip and Offline. App on is defined as a driver waiting on a request. Request Accepted is when an UBER driver is on their way to pick up a rider. On Trip is when a rider is in on an UBER ride and lastly, online is when an UBER driver is using their vehicle for personal use. Each stage is different and each stage has different insurance coverage available. Contact a lawyer at Carabin Shaw as soon as possible for more in-depth information and clarification.

The following information provides a brief insight on what kind of coverage is available at each interval:

When an UBER driver has their “app on” and is waiting for a request, the driver is covered by the UBER policy for their liability to a third party if they are involved in an auto accident and they are at fault. A third party is defined as someone or something other than the driver or their vehicle. Coverage does include liability to pay another motorists or person’s medical expenses or damage to property. Be mindful that if another person is at fault, you may make a claim against their insurance as well as with your personal insurance policy.

If a driver has accepted a request and is on their way to pick up a rider the driver is covered by UBER for the following three things: 1) Their liability to a third party, 2) any injuries due to an uninsured or underinsured motorist, and 3) collision and comprehensive coverage. If it is found that there are damages to a third party such as a driver, pedestrian, or property and the driver is at fault, UBER then offers liability coverage. This also covers hit and run cases where the driver at fault cannot be identified. Be mindful there is contingent collision and comprehensive coverage for UBER drivers whether they are at fault or not, as long as auto insurance that includes collision coverage is maintained on the vehicle while not on an UBER trip.

While an UBER driver has a rider in their car they are considered to be “on a trip”. At this time the UBER driver has the same coverage as they do when they are on their way to pick up the rider, PLUS the rider is covered. UBER’s policy covers three things: 1) Their liability to a third party, 2) any injuries due to an uninsured or underinsured motorist, and 3) collision and comprehensive coverage if they already have such coverage on their personal insurance. There also is third party liability coverage, which covers the driver’s liability for damages to any third party.

If an UBER driver is Offline meaning they are not utilizing the app, then the driver is not covered by the UBER insurance policy. Any accident that takes place on an UBER driver’s private time will be covered by their personal auto insurance policy.

It is in your best interest to consult with a San Antonio UBER Lawyer before reaching out to any insurance company to recover damages. Carabin Shaw’s seasoned attorneys will be able to better serve your best interests and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. It is important to remember that you may be entitled to any and all injuries and damages sustained including medical and health related expenses, loss of wages, loss of future income capacity, property damage, and emotional distress. In some instances where actions of at fault parties are deemed reckless, courts can award punitive damages to victims. So if you are wondering what to Do if in an accident or with an UBER vehicle, call Carabin Shaw today – our San Antonio Lawyers have many years experience dealing with auto accidents and are ready to fight for you.