What You Need to Know About Uber’s $1 Million Insurance Plan
If you or a loved one is injured in an accident involving Uber, you may be able to file a claim under Uber’s insurance policy. But there are different rules that apply to depend on if you are an Uber driver, passenger, or a third-party at the time of the accident.
Uber is considered a technology company, not a taxi or other transportation company. This means that they are not usually subject to the same rules. Uber and Lyft are simply services that connect people who want a ride to people who are using their personal vehicles to drive them around.
When you purchase an Uber ride in Atlanta, there is usually a safe ride fee included in your price. This fee pays for the background checks conducted on the drivers, vehicle screenings, and safety education for Uber drivers. The catch is, Uber cannot guarantee you will not be injured in a car accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident, contact Atlanta Uber accident attorney Lashonda Council Rogers to assist you in obtaining all the compensation you and/or your loved one deserve.
Atlanta Uber Employees
Uber and Lyft do not employ their drivers. Uber drivers in Atlanta and elsewhere throughout the United States are considered independent contractors. This means that Uber can deny liability when an Uber driver is involved in an accident.
Uber Insurance Coverage in Atlanta
Even though Uber does have a $1 million dollar insurance policy, the company and their passengers are covered using a three-part insurance plan. This coverage applies based on the activity of the Uber driver at the time of your accident. The three parts of Uber’s insurance plan are:
- Not Available: This means that the Uber driver is using their vehicle for personal business and not available to accept Uber rides from their customers in Atlanta. In this case, if the Uber driver is involved in an accident, their own personal insurance coverage kicks in, not Uber’s insurance policy.
- No Passenger But Available: If the Atlanta Uber driver is available, but not carrying a passenger at the time an accident occurs, the primary insurance will be the driver’s personal car insurance policy. However, Uber may provide additional coverage up to $50,000 per injury with a maximum of $100,000 and a maximum of $25,000 in property damage. The Uber coverage in this instance will only be available if the Atlanta Uber driver requests it, and if the Uber driver’s personal liability coverage doesn’t cover your damages.
- Carrying a Passenger and Available: This is the situation where Uber’s $1 million dollar insurance policy may apply. If your Atlanta Uber driver is carrying a passenger, both the driver and the passenger are covered under Uber’s liability policy. Also, if a third-party was injured in the Atlanta Uber accident such as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or another motorist, this person is also covered under Uber’s policy provided the driver was carrying a passenger. However, Uber may deny coverage, and this could lead to the Uber driver’s personal insurance policy also denying the claim for damages because the driver was being paid at the time of the accident.
Additionally, Uber also carries a $1 million uninsured/underinsured motorist policy so, if your Atlanta Uber accident is caused by an uninsured driver, Uber’s policy will take effect.
Denied Uber Claims in Atlanta
Unfortunately, Uber’s insurance company is dedicated to avoiding paying as many claims as they can. It’s almost normal for accident claims to be denied by Uber’s insurance carrier. Additionally, because Uber drivers in Atlanta and elsewhere are considered independent contractors and not employees, it could be difficult for you to recover damages if the Uber driver was distracted, driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, or operating their vehicle in a reckless manner. You may end up having to sue Uber directly to receive compensation for your injuries.
Additionally, while you may try to seek compensation through the Atlanta Uber driver’s personal car insurance company, this may also be difficult because many insurance companies prohibit their insured drivers from driving for work purposes and using their personal vehicle as a taxi or rideshare vehicle. Also, using the driver’s insurance directly could lead to you receiving less compensation than your damages are worth.
Why You Need an Experienced Uber Personal Injury Attorney in Atlanta
As you can see, recovering damages for injuries caused by an accident in an Atlanta Uber vehicle can get extremely complicated. You should seek out the advice of an experienced Atlanta Uber attorneys at The Council Firm, LLC. She can advise you of your options and may be able to initiate legal action against Uber or the driver’s insurance companies.
