Common Causes of Uber Accidents in Duluth
Below are some prevalent causes of Uber accidents in the area:
- Distracted Driving: Uber drivers are often required to use navigation apps and keep communication lines open with passengers, which can lead to distracted driving. Distraction can significantly reduce reaction times and increase the risk of accidents.
- Speeding: In an effort to complete more rides, some Uber drivers may exceed the speed limit. Speeding reduces the driver’s ability to respond promptly to sudden changes in road conditions and increases the severity of collisions.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Uber relies on drivers to maintain their vehicles properly. Neglected maintenance tasks, like brake checks or tire replacements, can lead to mechanical failures and accidents.
- Inadequate Driver Training: While Uber provides some training for its drivers, it’s often not as comprehensive as commercial driving education. Lack of thorough training can lead to mistakes and misjudgments on the road.
- External Factors like Road Conditions: Adverse weather, poor road conditions, and heavy traffic can all contribute to accidents. Even the most experienced drivers can struggle under challenging external conditions.
Types of Uber Accident Claims
Uber accident claims can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the incident and the resulting damages. Understanding the different types of claims that can arise is crucial for effectively pursuing compensation.
Here are some common types of Uber accident claims:
Passenger Injuries
Passengers injured in an Uber accident have specific rights that protect their interests and entitle them to seek compensation for their injuries and associated damages.
Firstly, they have the right to access medical care immediately following the accident, and any expenses for treatments, medications, and follow-up care should be covered by the responsible party’s insurance.
Passengers also have the right to be informed about the claims process and to receive accurate information about their options for compensation, whether from Uber’s insurance, the driver’s personal insurance, or other liable parties.
Additionally, injured passengers have the right to legal representation, ensuring their claim is handled professionally to maximize compensation.
Pedestrian Injuries
As an injured pedestrian, you have the right to file a claim with Uber’s insurance, which covers up to $1 million in liability for accidents involving their drivers. This can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
Additionally, you may also have the option to pursue claims against the driver’s personal insurance or third-party insurance policies, depending on the specifics of the incident.
Vehicle Injuries
Liability in these situations can be complex, potentially involving multiple insurance policies, including those of the Uber driver and Uber’s own insurance.
Uber maintains a $1 million liability coverage for drivers engaged in ride-sharing activities, which can be pivotal when pursuing claims for damages. This coverage can compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs incurred due to the accident.
Injuries sustained in Duluth ride-sharing accidents can be severe, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic injuries like broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries. It is essential to document your injuries thoroughly and seek immediate medical attention to ensure a clear record that supports your claim.
Determining Liability in Uber Accidents
Determining liability in Uber accidents involves identifying the parties responsible for the damages incurred. This process can be complex due to the multiple factors and entities potentially involved, such as the Uber driver, other motorists, and Uber’s insurance coverage.
Understanding Uber’s Insurance Policies
Period 1: Coverage While Waiting for a Ride Request
During Period 1, when an Uber driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride request, Uber provides a limited liability coverage. This coverage is essential for protecting both the driver and third parties from any potential accidents that may occur during this stage.
The typical policy during this period is 50/100/25, meaning that the coverage includes $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. This ensures that even in the initial phase of operation, there is a safety net available for damages incurred.
Period 2: Coverage During Passenger Pickup
Once the driver accepts a ride request and is en route to pick up the passenger, the insurance coverage significantly increases to provide more extensive protection. Uber’s corporate insurance kicks in with up to $1 million in liability coverage during this period.
This comprehensive coverage ensures that any accidents that occur while the driver is on the way to pick up the passenger are adequately covered, safeguarding both the driver and potential claimants.
Period 3: Coverage During Passenger Transport
The most robust coverage is available during Period 3, which spans from the time the passenger enters the Uber vehicle until the ride concludes. During this phase, Uber’s insurance provides up to $1 million in combined liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Additionally, contingent collision and comprehensive coverage are included, provided the driver has their personal insurance policy with similar coverage. This period ensures maximal protection for all parties involved, guaranteeing that passengers and third parties are well-protected during their journey.
Lyft Corporate Insurance Policies
Like Uber drivers, Lyft drivers are independent contractors and must satisfy specific requirements before working for Lyft. Specifically, they must have their own motor vehicle policy of insurance in effect when they drive for Lyft.
They also have a duty to operate their Lyft-approved vehicle safely while they are on the road. If they operate their vehicles in an unsafe manner or disregard the Georgia rules of the road, they can bear liability for their negligence.
In some Lyft accident cases, the driver’s personal policy of automobile insurance coverage serves as the primary coverage. Therefore, when the Lyft app on the driver’s phone is off, the Lyft corporate insurance policy coverage does not come into play. If an accident occurs during this period of time, the Lyft driver’s own personal policy of insurance will provide the necessary coverage.
In accident cases when the driver has turned on the Lyft app for their cell phone and the driver is waiting for someone to make a ride request, the Lyft corporate policy provides third-party liability insurance. The limits of coverage available under the Lyft policy at this point are 50/100/25. In other words, Lyft’s liability policy is $50,000 per individual, $100,000 per occurrence, and $25,000 of property damage per occurrence.
If the driver has turned on their Lyft app and is either in the middle of a ride or picking up a passenger, the Lyft corporate coverage is $1,000,000 (third-party liability) contingent, comprehensive, and collision coverage that extends up to the maximum value of the Lyft vehicle (with a $2,500 deductible), along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- Uninsured motorist coverage usually comes into play when the driver of the at-fault vehicle is completely uninsured, or when that driver flees the accident scene, such as in a phantom vehicle accident case.
- Underinsured motorist insurance coverage is available when the at-fault motor vehicle operator does not have sufficient insurance coverage in place to satisfy the accident victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. In those instances, the uninsured and underinsured motorist carrier steps in to supply the necessary coverage.
If you were in a motor vehicle collision that involved a Lyft vehicle, the experienced Duluth ridesharing accident attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC could help you determine which of these policies came into play, based upon the circumstances of your case. We can then make an insurance claim on your behalf against one or more of the applicable insurance policies.
Contact us today for a free consultation to find out more
Other Motor Vehicle Operators Who Negligently Bring About a Collision With a Ridesharing Vehicle
In some motor vehicle accident cases that involve a ridesharing vehicle, the operator of the ridesharing vehicle may be driving in a perfectly safe and careful manner under the circumstances.
However, the driver of another motor vehicle may not be driving so carefully and cause their vehicle to collide with the ridesharing vehicle in which you are a passenger.
Perhaps the at-fault driver was not paying attention to the road and or distracted in some other way. Alternatively, the at-fault driver may have violated some traffic law on the books or may have been drinking and driving. In any case, as the injured accident victim, you may bring a legal claim or file a lawsuit against the driver who was at fault for your accident.
The experienced Duluth ridesharing accident attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help you bring your claim or lawsuit against all of the potentially responsible individuals or entities.
