As your trusted DC ride-share accident attorney and Uber car accident lawyer, we understand the complexities of ride-share injury claims in Washington, DC. Since Uber’s inception in California back in 2009, it has spread rapidly across the country. The presence of Uber vehicles, notably with services like UberPOOL in cities like Washington, DC, and New York City, is argued to significantly reduce pollution and traffic (by 300%). As a byproduct of cutting traffic, pollution would be reduced. Yet, the need for a DC Uber accident lawyer continues to increase. Since the beginning, we have helped victims navigate ride-share injury claims.
While Uber is beneficial for many reasons, convenience is at the top of the list for people living in the Washington, DC, area as it makes it even easier to handle not owning a car. According to one study, getting picked up is even faster than taxi cabs as it takes four and a half minutes for an UberX (Uber’s basic car) versus the average eight-minute wait time from a traditional taxi. Not to mention, an Uber ride is generally less expensive than a conventional taxi ride, according to the same study. Although, that is subject to change depending on the demand at a given time.
Another benefit Uber claims to have over traditional cabs is safety because every driver must undergo a thorough background check. Despite Uber’s thorough background checks addressing Uber safety concerns, the increasing popularity of the service has led to a rise in the need for a dedicated DC Uber accident lawyer. Uber can hold drivers responsible for their level of service based on a rating system out of five stars for the driver, which is fully available to potential passengers. However, as Uber becomes increasingly popular, the number of Uber accidents rises, warranting consultation with an Uber car accident attorney. Below, we discuss seeking compensation with a DC Uber accident lawyer.
Considering the size and power of Uber, Lyft, and any rideshare company, people often assume it’s a hard case to win; this is not true. An accident with an Uber or Lyft driver is handled the same way any auto accident is, and our DC Uber accident lawyers have had great success in these matters.
A plaintiff must be able to prove all the elements of a prima facie negligence claim against the Uber or Lyft driver. Still, the insurance carrier changes from that driver’s policy (the one used when they are not driving for Uber or Lyft) to their Uber or Lyft policy. Uber policies are universal with James River Insurance, and Lyft has a similar carrier that writes and administers policies for its drivers. Naturally, if the negligence of the particular driver is within the scope of driving for the specific company, the carrier will defend and indemnify the driver; if the driver is not working at the time (on the way to pick up a passenger or drop a passenger offer), personal coverage will kick in.
Our DC Uber accident lawyers have handled these cases since the beginning. At one time, Uber and Lyft offered $1,000,000.00 in liability coverage to all drivers, considerably more than most policies for private drivers. However, that is no longer the case. When the Uber driver is at fault for the accident, and the driver is online and available for a ride, Uber’s third-party liability insurance covers up to $50,000 per person or $100,000 per occurrence for injuries. Moreover, the policy offers up to $25,000 for property damage from the accident. PIP or Med-Pay may be available and is worth investigating by a DC ride-share accident lawyer.
Suppose you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, and the driver of that vehicle is not at fault. You may still be entitled to first-party medical coverage and potentially wage loss reimbursement (Medical-Payment or PIP coverage). Please keep in mind that pursuing this particular claim may require the timely filing of an application form (often within one year from the accident date) and may even preclude the liability claim. This makes speaking with a DC Uber accident lawyer immediately imperative.
First, you must be online and available for a trip to be eligible for Uber’s insurance coverage. If you are offline, you are ineligible for Uber’s coverage. Moreover, Uber requires that you maintain personal automobile insurance at mandatory minimum limits to drive and deliver with Uber. Then, the policy behaves the same whether you exclusively deliver food on Uber Eats or drive passengers on Uber. The adverse driver’s insurance policy will be primary if you are not at fault. You can only use Uber’s insurance policy in two scenarios when you are not at fault.
First, if the adverse driver has no insurance. In that case, you can make an uninsured motorist claim. The second scenario is if your injuries are significant enough, such that the adverse driver’s coverage is insufficient to cover your damages. In this case, you may use your Uber policy’s underinsured motorist coverage to cover your damages.
In all other respects, these cases behave like standard Uber or rideshare cases, which our DC Uber accident lawyers handle frequently.
You must use your personal automobile insurance if you are in a motor vehicle accident while offline.
Note: This may vary by state.
When seeking legal help for Uber accidents in Washington, DC, seek an attorney with experience. Having practiced personal injury law in DC for over 70 years, our attorneys have fought for ride-share accident victims for years. Our DC Uber accident lawyers have seen the evolution of how insurance companies handle cases, value them, and ultimately make settlement offers on cases. Furthermore, we have handled Uber accident cases since the inception of rideshare companies. We have observed that their policies have changed over the years. The two things that have remained resolute are the tort law that affects it and our determination to seek justice for our clients.
A second attribute to look for in a DC Uber accident lawyer is prompt communication. This is important in any business. However, regarding rideshare accidents, there are deadlines for benefits that may be relevant to your case. Attention to detail and communication can differentiate between meeting and missing these deadlines. Too often, we hear stories from clients about how previous Uber accident attorneys in DC failed to respond to numerous voicemails and were otherwise unattentive to client needs.
After an Uber accident, clients tell us their worlds are falling apart. Our DC Uber accident lawyers hear that and make it our mission to make the experience from the point you begin working with us to the end as seamless and stress-free as possible. There is nothing fair about getting into a car accident that is not your fault. It can be immensely disruptive to your daily routine. You may now have injuries that keep you from doing the things you love. You may be unable to work due to your Uber accident. Our DC Uber accident lawyers understand what you are going through and are prepared to fight to get you the justice and compensation you deserve. Feel free to call us today for a free consultation.
As a passenger in an Uber accident in DC, the good news is there is a very low likelihood that you are at fault for the accident. When liability is not an issue, the question becomes who is at fault. Who can we hold responsible for your injuries? This depends on the facts of your case. If your Uber is in an accident and a third party is at fault, that is who our DC Uber accident lawyers would sue for your injuries. But you still have options if they flee the scene without you getting their information. Even if you do not have your own vehicle, you can use the Uber insurance policy as the car you are in for its uninsured motorist coverage.
If the driver of your vehicle, your own Uber driver, is at fault, you will make a claim against him. Of course, he will use Uber’s insurance policy as he is covered if he is on an active ride with Uber. Please contact our experienced Washington, DC, ride-share injury claims lawyers for a free consultation today.
If you are an Uber driver and are not at fault for the accident, your case will proceed similarly to if you were driving in your personal capacity, not as an Uber agent. Your claim is against the negligent driver. However, the caveat is that you may still need to use your Uber policy for property damage to your vehicle. If you are ultimately victorious in your case on liability, you should be reimbursed for this deductible at the end of your case.
If a passenger in your vehicle attacks you, you may have a battery claim. However, you cannot claim directly against the tortfeasor as he will not have insurance that applies in most cases. But you may still have options. Reach out to a DC Uber accident lawyer today for a free consultation.
Ride-share injury compensation acts the same as the compensation structure in any other motor vehicle accident. The primary distinguisher between an Uber accident and any other vehicle accident is who is ultimately responsible and whose insurance coverage is primary. Our expertise extends to Lyft accident compensation in DC, ensuring that all legal needs are covered. Once we settle that, we can focus on valuing and settling your case.
As seen in the graphic above, the value of your case can be broken down into three categories. In the first two columns, medical expenses and lost wages represent your economic damages. The last column represents your noneconomic damages. Monetary damages, also known as special damages, are meant to compensate you for precise dollar amounts you lost due to the accident. For example, you should not be left to pay for mounting hospital bills and doctor bills because you need treatment to return to normal health. This is the position of the courts as well.
Noneconomic damages are slightly more challenging to quantify. When you injure your back or break your arm, you undergo severe pain and suffering. Moreover, you can no longer participate in your favorite hobbies or spend time with family or friends doing your favorite things. This is also compensable. Of course, they are slightly more challenging to calculate because we do not receive a bill from anyone for these noneconomic injuries. However, our DC Uber accident lawyers have decades of experience doing just that. If you are interested in a valuation of your case, call today for a free consultation.
If you’ve been involved in an Uber/Lyft accident in DC, you must call an experienced attorney to discuss your options. D.C. attorney Roger Gelb and his firm have represented over 10,000 clients and recovered over $150,000,000.00 since our founding in 1954. If you’ve been involved in a ride-share accident, don’t wait. Contact our experienced DC Uber accident lawyers today for a consultation and ensure your rights are protected.
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