What Happens if You are a Passenger in an Uber Accident?

There are over 75 million people who use Uber, a ride-sharing service, around the world. In the United States alone, Uber drivers make over 40 million rides per month. In addition to Uber, several other ride-sharing companies have become popular, including Lyft. It is much cheaper for people to use ride-sharing apps than to pay for a taxi service due to the state-of-the-art GPS technology and proximity-based matching system used by Uber and Lyft.  

With the increase in popularity among ride-sharing services, serious car accidents are bound to happen. What happens if you are a passenger who becomes injured in a Kentucky Uber Accident? The amount of compensation you are entitled to depends on when the accident took place during the rideshare service. Suppose you have been injured in an Uber accident in Kentucky. In that case, we recommend hiring a personal injury lawyer who will explain your rights and develop a legal strategy to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Kentucky is a “No-Fault” State

When it comes to car accident Insurance, Kentucky is a no-fault state. All Kentucky drivers must carry at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) Auto Insurance. This type of insurance covers your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other costs regardless of who was at fault for the car accident. As long as the Uber driver involved in your accident did not opt-out of Kentucky’s no-fault system, his or her insurance will provide PIP coverage. In addition to this coverage, the Uber drivers personal auto insurance policy will carry the minimum amount of liability insurance in Kentucky, which is:

•  $25,000 for personal injuries in a single accident
•  $50,000 total for all injuries arising from a single accident
•  $10,000 for property damage from the accident

Even if the driver has PIP insurance, most auto insurance policies exclude any type of commercial activity. Driving for Uber is a commercial activity, meaning most PIP insurance policies won’t pay benefits to injured Uber passengers. 

Uber’s Car Insurance Policy

If you have been injured in an Uber accident, the best way for you to obtain compensation is typically through Uber’s insurance policy, not your driver’s personal insurance policy. Uber’s insurance policy has different policy limits depending on when the accident occurred. There have been multiple cases regarding how Uber enforces its insurance policy. 

It may seem like Uber will pay for your claim without any problems, particularly if you are injured during the third period (outlined below). However, insurance companies are notorious for offering settlement agreements that are far too low and unfairly denying claims. Your personal injury lawyer will be able to hold Uber’s insurance company to account so you can obtain the compensation you deserve.

Period One

During period one, the Uber driver is not using the Uber app. He or she is off duty and does not have the Uber app turned on. If an accident happens during this period, the injured passenger will need to seek compensation through the driver’s personal insurance policy. As mentioned above, all Kentucky drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of PIP insurance. If you become injured during this period, a personal injury lawyer can help you evaluate the best way to obtain compensation. If the PIP insurance does not cover your injuries, there may be other ways to obtain compensation. Perhaps a third-party driver was also at fault for the accident. If another commercial driver caused the accident, you might be able to sue his or her employer. 

Period Two

During period two, the Uber driver is logged into the Uber app but has not accepted a passenger ride. In most car accidents that occur during this phase, the Uber driver has already dropped off a passenger and is waiting for a new passenger with the app turned on. Or, the Uber driver is going to pick someone after accepting the request for a ride. During this phase, Uber has a reduced contingent insurance policy. This policy covers up to $50,000 per person. The policy covers $100,000 per occurrence when the driver is uninsured. Finally, the policy will cover any property damage up to $25,000.

Period Three

During period three, The Uber driver has already accepted a ride and picked up the passenger. The passenger must be in the vehicle driving to the destination. The accident must occur before the driver drops the passenger off. In this phase, Uber has a $1,000,000 insurance policy covering any car accidents that occur when the Uber driver is at fault. Uber also has coverage for uninsured and underinsured drivers. 

For example, if an uninsured driver collides with your Uber driver and causes your injuries, Uber’s policy will cover your injuries. This phase offers the highest amount of insurance coverage, but you need an experienced lawyer to make sure you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled. The insurance company may deny your claim by stating that you were not injured during period three. They may claim that your injuries were pre-existing and not caused by the Uber accident, or they claim that your driver admitted fault and refused to pay out compensation. 

Contact a Kentucky Uber Accident Lawyer Today

At Hessig & Pohl, our car accident lawyers are familiar with all of the tactics used by car insurance companies to deny paying out a fair amount of compensation. We will represent your best interests and make sure the insurance company pays you the full amount of compensation available in your case. 

We work with experts who can help you calculate all of the medical expenses you will face now and in the future so you can request them from the insurance company. Trying to recover compensation as an injured passenger in an Uber accident can become complicated quickly. Contact our Kentucky Uber accident law from today to schedule your initial consultation.