The Uber app provides a convenient way for people to get to where they want to go to in Encino, California. Many people choose to call for an Uber instead of a taxi to make it home safely after a night out. While taking rides by Uber is common, most people do not consider what might happen if they are involved in an accident during their rides. If you have been injured in an Uber accident, an experienced Uber accident lawyer Encino at the Valley Accident Lawyers might be able to help.
Insurance and liability issues in Uber accidents
While Uber drivers are required to have insurance, many auto insurance companies have exclusions on their policies that provide that their insureds will not be covered when they are driving for a ride-sharing app such as Uber. Drivers can get special insurance policies that will cover them when their apps are on and when they are off. However, many drivers are unaware that their personal insurance policies might not cover accidents when they are working for Uber.
Uber provides liability coverage of up to $1 million to its drivers to pay for losses that passengers suffer in accidents. However, this insurance coverage is not available during all times when the Uber driver is signed into the app. The coverage of up to $1 million is only available when the Uber drivers are actively transporting passengers. If an Uber driver causes an accident when his or her app is on but without any passengers, the driver’s insurance coverage from Uber will be limited to $25,000 for property losses, $50,000 per person for bodily injuries, and $100,000 total for all injured victims in the accident.
Uber generally tries to dispute accident claims involving its drivers. It might dispute liability in an attempt to avoid paying damages to the injured victims. By getting help from an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Encino, you might be able to recover the compensation to which you should be entitled after your Uber accident.
When third parties are at fault
In some cases, a third-party motorist will be at least partly at fault in an Uber accident. When the other motorist shares liability with the Uber driver, you may file claims against both drivers. Each driver will be responsible for paying compensation according to his or her degree of fault. Juries determine the percentage of fault that each party should be assigned, including the plaintiffs. Each defendant who is found to be at fault will be responsible for paying his or her assigned percentage of the total award. For example, if the Uber driver was found to be 30% at fault while the other driver was found to be 70% at fault, and you are awarded a total of $100,000, the Uber driver’s insurance will have to pay $30,000 while the other driver will have to pay $70,000.
California also has a comparative fault law. Defendants are allowed to argue that the plaintiffs had some fault in causing their accidents. If the jury decides that you were partially to blame, your damages award will be reduced by the percentage that is assigned to you. For example, if you failed to buckle your seatbelt, the jury might determine that the extent of your injuries would not have been as severe if you had been wearing your seatbelt at the time of the accident, which could result in a reduction in your award.
When Uber drivers have accidents when their apps are off
When Uber drivers cause accidents when they have their apps turned off, Uber will not have to pay damages from its liability policy. Instead, the Uber driver’s auto insurance company will be responsible for paying damages up to the driver’s policy limits.
Contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer Encino
The Uber app is a convenient and affordable way to get transportation around Encino. If you are involved in an accident with an Uber or while you were riding in an Uber, the liability issues can be complex. Contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Encino by calling the Valley Accident Lawyers at (818) 565-6600.
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