In recent years, many drivers have noticed an increase in rideshare vehicles on the road. Uber and other rideshare services have grown in popularity within the last few years due to their affordability and accessibility. Over 130 million people used Uber nationwide in 2022, and that number has only continued to increase. However, with the rise in rideshare usage, there has also been a growing concern over accidents involving these vehicles, leading many to seek information on the Uber accident settlement process and their legal rights after a crash.
These car accidents can be trickier to navigate due to technicalities related to Uber and how they employ their drivers. If you have found yourself in an Uber or rideshare accident, you need to know what your rights are and what you can do to build a strong legal case to earn the compensation that you deserve. In this article, we will go over what an Uber accident settlement is, the damages and settlements that can come from the accident, and how to get Uber settlement money.
What is an Uber Accident Settlement?
To start, an Uber accident is a motor vehicle accident where you are hit by an Uber or other rideshare driver. A settlement is when the defendant agrees to pay a lump sum of money to the victim of the accident to settle the case. This chunk of change is meant to cover any expenses or financial losses that resulted from the accident. The amount of settlement that you can earn from these accidents varies depending on a few factors, but it is typically paid out before the case makes it to court.
These accidents get even more complicated once you take into account that Uber drivers are private citizens and not commercial drivers. This means that the laws that apply to commercial drivers and taxi drivers do not apply to Uber drivers. So now the case becomes this interwoven web between you, the Uber driver, and a potential third party such as Uber or the vehicle manufacturer.
Factors Influencing Uber Accident Settlements
- The Severity of the Injuries: If you were injured due to an Uber accident, you earn more settlement the more severe the injuries are. A broken bone is going to earn more settlement than a few scrapes and bruises because the settlement is designed to cover the medical expenses for treatment and rehabilitation. More serious injuries will stack up more expensive medical bills, thus accruing more settlement money.
- Liability: California uses a fault-based system to determine liability in the event of a car accident. This means that you could be found partially responsible for the accident, and that percentage of fault impacts how much settlement you can earn for your case.
- Insurance Coverage: The insurance policy of the Uber driver impacts the amount of settlement you can earn. While Uber drivers are supposed to have Uber insurance while they drive for the company, their rules for that insurance are very strict. There is a chance that you will have to instead go through the driver’s insurance, which will change the amount of settlement you can earn.
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical and psychological long-term repercussions you experienced due to the Uber accident. It can include depression, chronic pain, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Property Damage: The amount of damage sustained to your car or other personal property can impact your Uber accident settlement payout. The more property damage there is, the more settlement you can potentially earn.
How Long Does an Uber Settlement Take?
There is unfortunately no exact timeframe for how long it takes to complete an Uber settlement. It can differ based on several factors, including how cooperative the involved parties are during proceedings. The majority of these settlement cases can be resolved outside of court, which can shorten the timeline significantly.
In general, companies like Uber want to get these cases sorted as quickly as possible without having to go to court—so be prepared for them to try to rush the process and lowball your settlement offer. Stand your ground and fight for the settlement amount that you rightfully deserve.
Damages Available in Uber Accidents
The damages that you can earn from an Uber car accident can be broken down into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages: These are financial damages that can easily be recorded and documented. Examples include:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Rehabilitation
- Future Medical Expenses
Non-Economic Damages: These damages are harder to prove, as they consist of the psychological repercussions of an Uber car accident. Examples include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Psychological pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
What Is The Settlement Process?
- Report the Accident: Report the accident to local authorities so there is a record of the incident.
- Get Medical Attention: Seek immediate medical attention for any serious injuries and to get a record of the injuries sustained from the accident.
- Hire an Attorney: Find a reliable and trustworthy attorney in your area who has experience working with Uber accident cases.
- File a Claim With Uber’s Insurance: File a legal claim with Uber’s insurance to get the settlement ball rolling.
- Negotiations and Settlement: The next step is to negotiate a settlement with Uber’s insurance. This can typically be done without a judge’s involvement.
- Take it to Court if Necessary: If a settlement cannot be agreed upon outside of the court, then the next step is to take it to a judge.
Average Settlement Facts and Figures for Uber Accidents
As mentioned previously, the exact amount of settlement that you can earn varies depending on factors such as where you live and the severity of your injuries. However, it is good to know what the general average settlement is so you know that you are not being lowballed while negotiating with Uber’s insurance.
Uber keeps their settlement records a well-hidden secret from the public eye, so we only have a general idea of an estimate. Non-injured victims have earned around $16,700 in settlements, while injured victims are looking to get closer to $29,700.
How To Maximize Your Uber Accident Settlement
- Document Everything: From filing the police report to keeping extensive medical records, get physical evidence of anything and everything that pertains to the accident. The more evidence that you have, the stronger your case will be, and the more settlement you will be able to negotiate for.
- Follow All Medical Advice: Even for minor injuries, go to every single check-up and follow-up appointment and get thorough documentation of every injury that could potentially be tied back to the accident.
- Work With a Reliable Attorney: Find a dependable attorney in your area who has extensive experience working with Uber accident cases as well as personal injury cases, and check to see what settlements they have been able to earn clients in the past.
Contact Compass Law Group, LLP to Secure Maximum Compensation
Finding a rideshare accident law firm in California can feel overwhelming on top of the stress of trying to navigate the legal system. You need a team of competent attorneys who will point you in the right direction and help you navigate the complexities of filing a legal case.
Need an Uber accident attorney in Los Angeles? Compass Law Group, LLP is ready to take on your case and get you the compensation that you deserve. Our lawyers have years of experience and knowledge surrounding the legal system, and we know our way around a lawsuit settlement. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not have to pay us a dime for our services unless we win your case.
Contact Compass Law Group, LLP today to schedule a free consultation with one of our expert attorneys.
