By this point, most Texans have used an Uber (or another rideshare) service at some point. While these services are convenient, you are essentially putting your life in someone else’s hands each time you depart.
Do you know what legal rights you have if your Uber driver is involved in an accident or who is responsible for your medical costs and lost wages? If you find yourself in this situation, contact our legal team at The Burkett Law Firm for assistance.
We can review the facts of your case and determine who is liable for your injuries and damages.
Liability in Texas Uber Accidents
If you are an Uber passenger and your driver causes an accident, the rideshare company will probably be responsible for covering your damage.
When someone is online, actively driving for Uber, the company’s third-party liability collision insurance will take over. The corporate liability policy pays your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Uber’s Corporate Insurance Policy
Based on Uber’s corporate insurance policy, if a driver is online but not matched with a passenger, they will be covered under Uber’s liability insurance policy.
This coverage changes when the driver matches with a passenger.
The following coverage is available for different situations.
Driver App Off (Offline)
If an Uber driver is offline and involved in or causes an accident, their personal auto insurance company will pay for losses and injuries.
Waiting for a Ride Request or Available
The company’s policy applies if a driver is waiting for a ride request or is “available” in the app. The coverage in these situations includes:
- $25,000 in property accident coverage for each accident
- $50,000 in bodily injury for each person
- $100,000 in bodily injury for each accident
Traveling to Pick Up a Rider and During Ride Service
When a driver is traveling to pick up a customer, and while driving them, the following insurance applies:
- $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage
- Underinsured or uninsured motorist bodily injury and first-party injury insurance
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
- Up to the actual cash value of the vehicle with a $2,500 deductible
What Damages Can You Recover After an Uber Accident in Texas
Based on if you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, you can recover several types of losses after being involved in a Texas Uber accident. These include the following:
Medical Costs
Several medical costs are covered after an Uber accident, which includes the following:
- Transportation to doctor appointments and other medical treatment
- Ambulatory or emergency room treatment and care
- Doctor’s appointments
- Medications
- Surgeries
- Home modifications to help you adapt to your injuries
- Ongoing medical care, like rehabilitative care
Our legal team can help calculate your losses to help you recover for your current and future medical expenses. There is no reason you should have to pay for medical care for an injury caused by someone else.
Lost Wages
If the injuries you sustain in an Uber accident prevent you from returning to work, it may be possible to recover lost wages. If you cannot return to work or if you cannot earn the same amount of money you did before the accident, you may be eligible to recover damages for lost earning capacity.
Our legal team will investigate other potential losses, such as sick leave, benefits, and pensions, to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.
Non-Economic Losses
If you file a personal injury lawsuit against the Uber driver, you can also recover compensation for your pain and suffering. This includes your physical, mental, and emotional injuries. You can also seek compensation for lost quality of life.
It is possible to use different methods to determine the value of your non-economic losses.
Texas Law and Uber Accident Claims
Texas law requires Uber (and all rideshare services) to have set amounts of insurance coverage for all drivers. Our legal team can help you understand these requirements and how they apply to your case.
Let Our Uber Accident Attorneys Help with Your Claim
While Uber insurance policy coverage may seem comprehensive and enough to cover your injuries and losses, there are situations where things can become complex and confusing when you file a claim. At The Burkett Law Firm, we will help you file a claim and fight for your full financial recovery. We can also ensure that all related losses are considered, including medical costs, property damage, and any other losses you have sustained.
We believe you deserve to rest and recover after an accident. You can leave the legal process up to us and have confidence that we will fight to help you recover what is fair.
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