From 2021 to 2022, 153 people died in auto accidents while riding in an Uber, according to the rideshare company’s safety data. Sadly, accidents that cause serious injuries and even fatalities are always a risk when riding in any vehicle — including one being operated by a rideshare driver.
If you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle and a crash happens, someone else is likely to blame for the harm that you have endured. You need to understand what your rights are and who to hold accountable when you become an accident victim.
Other motorists and pedestrians on the road could also be harmed by Uber drivers and also must know their legal options after a crash.
Why Choose Our Uber Accident Attorney in Lafayette?
Anderson Blanda & Saltzman can provide the support and advocacy that you need when you have been hurt in a collision involving a rideshare vehicle. Our Lafayette car accident attorneys have been named as Super Lawyers Rising Stars, are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and have more than 100 years of collective experience to bring to your case. You can count on us to fight for you.
Give our Lafayette Uber accident attorneys a call today at (337) 233-3366 to learn more by scheduling a free consultation. We’ll discuss your case and how we can help you get the justice you deserve.
Who is Responsible for an Uber Accident?
Louisiana is a fault state for car accidents. This means if a driver causes a motor vehicle accident to happen, any victims who are injured in the crash can take legal action against the at-fault motorist. By contrast, some other states, called no-fault states, only allow claims against the driver who caused a crash when injuries rise to a certain level of seriousness. This isn’t the case in Louisiana. You can pursue a claim after any collision.
In fault states, it’s important to determine who caused an accident to occur. This is the person whose wrongdoing or negligence was the direct cause of a collision. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2316, the law states that “every person is responsible for the damage he occasions not merely by his act, but by his negligence, his imprudence, or his want of skill.” So, if a driver is unreasonably careless or negligent, they can be held accountable.
In the case of an Uber accident, the driver of the rideshare vehicle may be at fault if they broke a safety rule such as speeding, or if they operated their vehicle less carefully than a hypothetical average reasonable driver would have under the same circumstances.
Other drivers on the road could also be accountable. If another driver hit the Uber vehicle because they illegally went through a red light, for example, then it would be the driver of that other vehicle who was liable for losses for the Uber driver and any passengers in the car at the time.
Both passengers in the Uber car and others on the road who were hurt by the Uber accident can pursue a claim to recover their damages from the person who caused the crash to occur. Note that if you’ve been in a ridesharing accident in a Lyft, reach out to our Lyft accident lawyers in Lafayette.
Can Uber Be Held Liable for Losses?
When an Uber driver is working and driving for the app company, you might assume that Uber itself could be liable for losses. That’s especially true as Louisiana has a vicarious liability law that states “masters and employers are answerable for the damage occasioned by their servants and overseers, in the exercise of the functions in which they are employed.”
The catch, however, is that Uber drivers are not considered employees of the company – they are independent contractors. As a result, they don’t act as agents of Uber and you can’t just sue Uber when you get hurt while riding in a vehicle after ordering a ride through the app.
Uber does provide third-party insurance coverage in certain cases, though. This means the insurance is there to pay damages in specific situations following a crash. The coverage available through Uber depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the incident:
- If an Uber driver was in his or her vehicle but was not active on the app, Uber provides no coverage.
- If an Uber driver was signed in and awaiting a ride but was not actually going to pick up a passenger and was not transporting a passenger, then Uber provides up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. This pays for physical injuries that the driver causes to others. Uber also provides $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage.
- If an Uber driver is on the way to pick up a passenger or if a passenger is in the car, Uber provides up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage and up to $1 million in uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This pays for damages the Uber driver causes, as well as for damages experienced by people in the vehicle that are caused by another motorist with too little insurance.
These types of protections can help ensure anyone harmed in a crash that was caused by an Uber driver, or by an uninsured or underinsured driver, can get the money they need to rebuild after suffering a loss.
Call Us Today to Get the Help of a Dedicated Uber Accident Attorney in Lafayette
Uber accident claims can be complicated as a result of the fact that there are multiple potential insurers who could cover costs after a crash. You need a trusted legal advocate to help you determine fault, prove the extent of your damages, and pursue your case.
Anderson Blanda & Saltzman can provide the help and support you need. We’ll bring our 100+ years of collective legal experience to your case to fight for the compensation you deserve. We don’t charge legal fees unless we win and we offer free consultations to evaluate your case and help you better understand the services we offer.
Give our personal injury attorneys in Lafayette a call today at (337) 233-3366 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the ways in which we can help you pursue justice.