Who pays if you’re injured in an Uber accident?

While the Uber app is turned on, the company’s insurance policy will cover an Uber driver and pay for any subsequent injuries you might experience. However, while the Uber app is off, the company is not liable for any injury, and the driver’s individual insurance company will have to cover any damages.

Uber Insurance

Here is a quick breakdown of Uber’s insurance policy as of March 21, 2016. To see this information as listed on their site, click here.

• Liability Coverage—An Uber driver’s liability to riders and third parties is covered from the moment the driver turns on the app, accepts a trip, and finishes the ride. Uber’s policy has up to $1 million of liability coverage.
• Coverage for Physical Damage —If an Uber vehicle is physically damaged during a trip, the company’s insurance policy will cover the damage up to the vehicle’s cash value after payment of a $1,000 deductible.
• Uninsured and Underinsured Injury—If another motorist causes an accident with an Uber vehicle and that motorist doesn’t have adequate insurance, Uber will provide up to $1 million of bodily injury coverage to all occupants of the rideshare vehicle.
• Coverage between Rides—While a driver is driving around awaiting his or her next trip, Uber’s policy can cover up to $25,000 for property damage, up to $50,000 for bodily injury, and $100,000 for the total accident in the event that the driver doesn’t have adequate coverage.
• Commercially Licensed Drivers—Drivers for UberBLACK, UberTAXI, and UberSUV are covered by their own commercial insurance policies.

As they specify on their site, each state has a slightly different policy due to differences in local laws. Click here to see Uber’s policy for each state.

It is also important to reiterate that Uber partner drivers who are “licensed livery or black car operators or taxis” have separate commercial insurance, and the policy outlined here does not apply to them.

After the crash

In the event that a crash were to occur and if you, the Uber driver, any other passenger, or the driver of the other vehicle is injured, call 911 immediately to get medical assistance.

If it’s nothing too serious, though, you have a few more options. Just like after any accident, you should take pictures of everything. Photograph all vehicles involved, road signs, weather conditions, time of day, and all of your surroundings. It’s important to make sure the event is properly documented to avoid any confusion later on.

Document any pain you are experiencing as well and contact your attorney. The law offices of Martinson & Beason, P.C. can place you in the care of an experienced attorney who will assist you both immediately after an accident and throughout any subsequent court proceedings.

The next day

The day after a crash involving an Uber driver, a member of Uber’s customer service team will likely contact you apologizing for the entire situation. Your payment will then likely be refunded.

The customer service representative will also inform you that an insurance company will contact you.

If you were injured in any type of vehicle accident—no matter who was at fault—contact the Huntsville, Alabama, team of attorneys at Martinson & Beason, P.C.