A severe accident in Chalmette involving an Uber vehicle can leave victims with serious injuries. But what happens after the accident? How do you get compensation? A Chalmette Uber accident lawyer can help you through the process and secure fair compensation from the responsible party.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers have helped accident victims get their rightful compensation after being involved in such accidents.
What Is Uber?
Uber is a mobile app that allows people to submit a trip request and allows drivers to pick them up using their own car. There are several controversies associated with Uber that impact people who suffer from accidents when using an Uber service. Many people have questions about insurance coverage and liability.
Some critics have also questioned whether Uber’s employees should be considered employees of Uber or independent contractors. These issues often affect passengers seeking compensation after an accident involving one of Uber’s services.
It’s important for anyone dealing with these issues to consult an Uber accident attorney. An attorney will help you understand your rights as well as your responsibilities under Louisiana law regarding your role as a passenger on one of these services.
Risks of Riding in an Uninsured Car
Some issues come up when you aren’t using your own vehicle, particularly when it doesn’t have proper commercial insurance. As a passenger in an Uber, make sure your driver has proof they have insurance before hopping into their car. If they don’t, you may want to find another ride home.
You should also ask for documentation that proves their coverage was current at the time of your trip. This way, you know if anything happens during your trip, you won’t be left footing any bills on behalf of someone else.
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What Happens to Your Medical Bills if You Have No Insurance?
Most Uber drivers carry both uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UM/UIM) policies, which will cover your medical expenses to a certain amount. If a driver who has UIM coverage of $50,000/$100,000 hits you and does not have sufficient insurance coverage, they must pay up to that $50,000/100,000 limit.
It does not matter whether their own policy is enough or whether their coverage overlaps with yours. All that matters is what you paid for your own UM/UIM. However, some Uber drivers are also licensed as taxicab drivers in some states. Taxicab UM/UIM policies only cover passengers while they are inside the car.
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Who Pays if There Is an Accident?
You can file a claim against Uber or your driver. However, liability depends on what happened. Personal injury claims are frequently confusing because many factors come into play when trying to figure out who pays for damages.
There is one simple rule to follow in most instances like this. If someone else caused the accident by breaking traffic laws, that person is responsible for paying any resulting damages. In theory, it’s clear-cut. Most accidents result from negligent driving, where it isn’t always easy to determine who is responsible. That’s why lawyers are here to help.
Liability for Uber insurance claims also depends on the driver’s status:
- If the accident happened while the app was off: rideshare insurance does not apply; rideshare driver’s personal insurance provides coverage.
- If the accident happened when the app was on and the driver was waiting for a ride request: Rideshare liability coverage applies if personal insurance does not.
- If the accident happened while the driver was picking up passengers or during a ride: Rideshare liability coverage applies.
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Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Injuries due to a car accident can be costly, both physically and financially. You must take immediate action to protect your legal rights. While some people can handle these cases on their own, hiring a personal injury attorney is often your best bet.
Personal injury attorneys are professional litigators who will ensure that you get fair compensation for all your injuries, lost wages, property damage, or other losses suffered during an accident. Lawyers also know how to deal with insurance companies, so you don’t have to face them directly. This gives you more time to focus on your recovery from injuries and trauma caused by the accident.
It’s highly advised that you should find a Chalmette Uber accident lawyer who understands your needs. We will prioritize your case and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
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Do You Need to Contact the Insurance Company of the At-Fault Driver?
You don’t need to contact their insurance company right away, but you may want to at some point. When the time comes to negotiate a settlement or go to court, try contacting the insurance company of your own driver first. The insurance companies usually communicate directly and often reach agreements before any legal action unfolds.
It doesn’t cost anything extra when you use an attorney for these negotiations. However, most attorneys will only represent individuals who have been seriously injured. Victims impacted by the death of a loved one in similar circumstances can also be represented.
How Does Settlement Work?
When dealing with an Uber accident, there are two common ways settlements can be reached. The most common type is between your attorney and that of another party’s insurance company. This is called mediation. The second option is in court by having a judge or jury decide how much you’re awarded based on your injuries and how long they will last.
During settlement talks, it could save everyone time and money if all parties agree on a fair settlement amount early on. If nothing is agreed upon before trial, each side has its own attorneys prepared for trial. Either a judge or jury decides how much to award you.
Your lawyer will help walk you through each process so that you know what to expect at every stage.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Help
Finding help from a Chalmette Uber accident lawyer shouldn’t be difficult. That’s why Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers are available to help you. Winning compensation from your accident could be easy with just one phone call. We are accessible so we can provide a case evaluation and initiate the claim. Call us today to talk to one of our lawyers.
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