What if My Uber Driver Gets in an Accident

Whether you are going to meet a friend or running late for an interview, when you order a ride-sharing service like Uber to pick you up in Houston, you are entrusting your life and well-being to the hands of a stranger. You hope they’ll exercise their duty of care and obey all traffic rules to get you to your destination safely.

But what if this doesn’t happen? What if they engage in risky Uber driver behaviors like fatigued driving, distracted driving, or speeding and end up causing a crash? If you are in such a dilemma, contact Johnson Garcia to discuss your case. Our Houston Uber accident lawyers are ready to help you understand who may be liable for your accident and damages.

Call 832-844-6700 to get started. Leverage our more than 35 years of legal experience to get the justice you deserve.

Who Is Liable for an Uber Accident in Houston?

If you have been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be wondering: “What happens if my Uber driver gets in an accident?” This is a typical reaction for most accident victims/passengers. If this is the case, call 911 to report the accident and seek immediate medical attention.

It’s also advisable to call an Uber accident lawyer to help you establish who is responsible for your crash.

The Uber Driver

In most cases, the Uber driver is to blame for the accident. If the driver caused the car wreck, you may file a lawsuit against them. Actions such as drunk driving and tailgating may lead to these accidents. The discovery stage of the suit may clarify who is to blame and whether more than one party is responsible for the crash.

Uber

In Texas, Uber could also share the blame for your accident. If the company acted negligently when hiring the driver, it could be directly liable for your injuries. Even though Uber considers its drivers independent contractors, your personal injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the company if it failed to screen, supervise, or train its drivers appropriately.

Some of the grounds you may sue Uber for include:

Rape and sexual assault
Robbery
Kidnapping
Assault and battery
Driving under the influence

Third Parties

If any other third party caused your Houston Uber accident, you may file a claim against them to recover damages. Take, for example, a trucker who is asleep while at the wheel. If such a driver causes a catastrophic accident on a Houston highway, your lawyer may help you hold them accountable for their negligence.

Defective part manufacturers, mechanics, contractors, subcontractors, and government agencies are other parties that may be liable for Uber accidents in Houston, Texas.

What Is Uber’s Insurance Policy?

When an Uber passenger or driver is injured in a crash, the amount of coverage typically depends on the driver’s status. Here are the different levels of liability limits in Houston:

Uber driver status	Available insurance
Off the clock	No coverage: Provided by the driver’s own liability coverage: $ 30,000 per injured person$ 60,000 per accident
Available or waiting for a ride request	Limited coverage: Provided by Uber’s third-party liability coverage if the driver’s insurance doesn’t apply: $50,000 in bodily injury per person$100,000 per accident
Headed to pick up a passenger or Passenger in the vehicle	Full coverage: Uber offers $1 million third-party liability as well as uninsured/underinsured coverage

To get a better understanding of Uber’s insurance policy and whether you qualify for Uber’s $1 million insurance coverage, it’s advisable to speak to an experienced lawyer who can help you understand the different levels of liability limits that apply in Houston.

Who Pays for Damages in an Uber Accident?

When an Uber driver causes a crash, liability may depend on whether they were driving on personal time or were considered independent contractors. If the driver hadn’t turned on their app, Uber wouldn’t be liable for your accident and injuries. They’ll most likely deny liability. In such a case, you may have to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the driver and their insurance company to recover damages.

But if Uber’s limited or full coverage had kicked in when the accident occurred, you may receive compensation from Uber’s insurance carrier. Uber’s third-party liability coverage might compensate you if another driver caused your Uber accident.

If both the driver’s insurance and Uber don’t pay for damages, you can file a claim against any third party responsible for the accident, such as a drunk motorcyclist. You may also have the option to turn to your own insurance company to file for damages for bodily injury liability if the driver’s policy is exhausted.

Statute of Limitations for Uber Accidents

After a ridesharing accident in Houston, you must act fast to file a personal injury claim since Texas has a two-year deadline for such claims. For this reason, it’s best to get in touch with a lawyer to discuss your case as you seek legal advice. Remember, if you don’t file your claim within this period, you risk losing your right to seek compensation for your damages.