Uber and other ridesharing companies provide liability insurance coverage for passengers and others hurt in a collision caused by their drivers, but getting a fair settlement is not always easy. These policies generally only cover victims of accidents that occur when:
- There is a ride in the rideshare vehicle
- The driver is matched with a rider and going to pick them up
There may also be a contingency policy in place when the Uber driver is on the app working but is not matched with a rider.
High-Profile Uber Settlements
The details of Uber car accident settlements generally are not made public. However, there have been several high-profile out-of-court settlements. This includes:
A Young Child Died After Being Hit By an Uber While Crossing the Road
According to Reuters, the family of a young girl hit by an Uber driver settled with the company for an undisclosed amount in 2016.
The accident occurred in 2013 while the family was crossing a street. The Uber driver hit the child, who subsequently died from her injuries. The Uber driver was on the app but not yet matched with a rider. This case is one reason why the company now provides contingency coverage during this point in the cycle.
A Doctor and His Wife Suffered Serious Injuries in a 2015 Miami Collision
According to the Miami Herald, a gynecologist and his wife both suffered injuries following a failure-to-yield crash caused by an Uber driver in Miami. They were passengers in the Uber at the time.
The husband suffered a broken leg and other injuries. The wife endured a traumatic brain injury with lasting effects and underwent several surgeries due to her injuries.
The couple filed suit against Uber, claiming the company’s failure to train and supervise drivers cost them significant losses because of medical care, lost time at work, and diminished earning capacity. They reached a settlement agreement for an undisclosed amount.
An Arizona Woman Died After Being Hit By an Autonomous Uber Vehicle
According to National Public Radio (NPR), the family of an Arizona woman hit by a self-driving Uber vehicle reached a confidential settlement with the company within a month of her death.
The human driver assigned to monitor the self-driving car faces charges in the case. She was allegedly watching a television show on her phone when the vehicle struck the woman who was walking her bicycle across the Tempe, Arizona, street.
As of May 2021, Uber is no longer testing autonomous vehicles and sold that division to another company.
Many Other Victims Reach Smaller Settlements with the Uber Insurer
While these are some of the agreements that made the news, there are likely many others. Uber accidents occur regularly, and passengers often suffer injuries.
Most of these settlements are likely far below the $1 million mark covered by the company’s liability insurance policy. The vast majority of traffic collisions cause only minor or moderate injuries, and damages fall well under these policy limits.
Still, the insurance company will want to see strong evidence that shows the Uber driver was liable and the value of your case. You may want to work with a lawyer who will handle this for you.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Understanding Your Claim for Compensation After an Uber Accident
If you suffered injuries in an accident involving an Uber driver, you may be covered by a $1 million liability policy. This is likely if:
- You were a pedestrian hit by the car while the driver had a rider match
- You were a rider in the Uber
- You were a victim of an accident the driver caused while they had a rider match
The value of your claim could depend on many factors, including:
- The severity of the collision
- Your injuries and lasting disabilities
- The necessary treatment you endured
- How many parties were involved
- If you missed work or cannot return to your previous career
If you choose to work with an attorney to help you navigate the claims process and seek a negotiated settlement from the rideshare driver and/or Uber, they will investigate what happened and gather evidence to prove:
- Negligence
- Liability
- The fair value of your case
Discuss Your Uber Accident with Morris Bart, LLC, for Free Today
The Morris Bart law firm offers free case reviews. If you were hurt in an Uber accident, we may be able to help. For 40 years, we have fought to protect the rights of traffic collision victims. We confirmed 6,500 wins for our clients in 2019.
We are a contingency fee firm serving the Gulf South, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. You can reach one of our 15 locations by calling (800) 537-8185 today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
