Conway Uber Accident Lawyer

Uber Accident Attorneys in Conway

The rideshare economy has been a mixed bag for customers. They have a convenient way to get from Point A to Point B, at less than the cost of a taxi. However, their safety may be threatened by untrained drivers, who may get behind the wheel without any experience.

In addition, other drivers on the road bear the costs of dangerous Uber drivers. While Uber is cutting corners and making money, it is your safety at risk.

Why Uber Vehicles Present a Particular Risk

Uber sells itself to drivers as a way that they can make money whenever they want, monetizing their car for extra income. The downside to these part-time drivers is that they can practically come in off the street and turn their car into a taxicab. At that point, they are driving under less than ideal circumstances for safety:

Uber drivers are often on the road late at night after working a full shift at another job.
They are often in unfamiliar areas and do not know the local roads.
Uber drivers are focused on the app, trying to find their next ride.

It is difficult enough for the average person to drive anywhere these days. Now, the average person has responsibility for the safety of other people when they are trying to earn extra money with their car.

Injuries in an Uber Accident

Uber drivers can injure both their passengers and other drivers on the road in accidents. Common Uber accident injuries can include:

Broken bones
Lacerations
Internal injuries
Neck and back injuries
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injuries

Getting financial compensation after an Uber accident is somewhat different from a regular car accident. You still have the right to financial compensation when someone else is to blame for your injuries, but the procedure can be different.

Uber Tries to Manipulate the Personal Injury Process in Its Favor

Uber has set things up to make them as advantageous for the company as possible when you have been injured. In spite of the fact that Uber makes a lot of money as a middleman (25% to be exact for the use of their technology), the company claims that it is not involved in the actual transaction between you and the driver.

Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors, claiming that the drivers work for themselves and not Uber. Where this impacts you is that you cannot sue Uber for an accident because the drivers are not agents of the company.

The Different Levels of Uber Insurance Coverage

Uber drivers are required to carry insurance, and there are different levels of coverage depending on the stage of the ridesharing process when the accident occurred:

Once an Uber driver has accepted a rideshare request or there is a passenger in the car, there is up to $1 million in coverage for each accident.
If the driver has the app on (Uber drivers often “deadhead” by driving around in high-traffic areas waiting for ride requests), there is $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
If the Uber driver has the app off, their personal insurance coverage applies.

Uber works with a number of auto insurance companies for its policies. These companies all have one thing in common; they are trying to make money off their Uber business and do not want to pay you the full amount of your damages. Everyone is trying to profit, and you could end up in the cold when you need money after an Uber accident. Our job as your lawyer is to make sure that this does not happen to you.

How to Get Compensation for an Uber Accident

Outside of not being able to sue Uber, the same principles that apply to your case also apply to any car accident:

First, you must figure out the responsible party for your accident (if you were injured as a passenger, it could be the driver of the other car).
An attorney would gather evidence and prove that someone else was liable.
Your lawyer would help prepare your claim and deal with the insurance company.
You would have to negotiate the exact amount of compensation with the insurance company before you can reach a settlement agreement.

To the last point, your initial settlement offer could be for a fraction of the amount that you are entitled to on account of your injuries. Having someone in your corner who knows what your claim is worth and how to negotiate is well worth the investment.

You only pay our Uber accident attorneys if you win your case, meaning that you get a settlement or jury award. Uber accident claimants with an attorney do far better on average than those who try to deal with the insurance company on their own, even after paying the attorney their percentage of your settlement proceeds.

Call a Conway Uber Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in an Uber accident, one of your first calls should be to an experienced attorney. The lawyers at Denton & Zachary have worked with numerous clients who have been hurt in rideshare accidents, and we have a track record of helping our clients win. Call us today at 501-273-1695 or contact us online to set up a time to discuss your case.

Uber Accident Case FAQs

What happens if the Uber driver does not have enough insurance to cover my injuries?

You can file a claim against your own auto insurance policy if you have underinsured motorist coverage. You could also personally sue the driver to hold them responsible.

What if there was more than one injured passenger?

The coverage limits are per accident. As a result, you may be competing against other injured people for the same coverage.

What if another driver was responsible for the accident?

You would need to file a claim against that driver’s insurance policy, and you can file a claim against your own policy if there is not enough coverage.