What Happens When I Am In A Wreck With An Uber Driver In North Carolina

Services like Uber changed how we get around, making it easy to travel using our phones. But accidents can still happen, even when you’re in an Uber. If you’re ever in a car accident with an Uber driver in North Carolina, it’s important to know what to do next. You want to stay safe, make sure your rights are respected, and handle the legal and insurance stuff the right way.

What Should You Do Immediately After The Accident

The actions you take immediately after the accident are important. They can help you stay safe, make sure you get the right info, and set things up in case you need to make claims or go through legal stuff later. 

• Prioritize Your Well-being. The most important thing right after a car wreck is to make sure you and the people with you are safe. See if anyone is hurt and if someone needs help, call 911 right away.
• Call The Police. Make sure to call the police right away to tell them about the accident. The police will then create a report that states what happened. This report is really helpful for talking to the insurance company and if there’s any legal action later.
• Make Sure You Exchange Information With Each Other. No matter whose fault it is, you need to share info with the Uber driver and anyone else involved. Get the driver’s name, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Also, get the contact details of people who saw the accident and could provide a description of the events if necessary. 
• Document The Accident Scene. Take pictures with your phone or camera of everything around the accident. Get images of the cars, the damage, any tire marks, how the road looks, and any signs around. These pictures are crucial if you need to inform the insurance company what happened.
• Report The Accident To Uber. Report to Uber about the accident as soon as you can through their app. Their response might change based on if the driver was picking up someone, waiting for a ride or not working when the accident happened.

Understanding Uber’s Insurance Coverage

When an accident involving an Uber driver takes place, the insurance coverage depends on the driver’s activity at the time of the incident. 

• When the Uber Driver Isn’t Working (Offline Or Driver App Is Off). In cases where the Uber driver is not actively using the app or is considered “offline,” your personal car insurance will be the primary coverage in the event of an accident. This means that if you have an accident while the driver is not working, your own insurance policy will be responsible for covering any damages or injuries.
• When The Uber Driver Is Waiting For A Ride Request (Available). When the Uber driver is available, Uber provides insurance coverage to address potential accidents. This coverage becomes effective if your personal car insurance doesn’t apply. In such cases, Uber’s insurance includes third-party liability coverage, offering up to $50,000 for each injured person, up to $100,000 for injuries sustained by all parties in the accident combined, and up to $25,000 to cover property damage.
• When The Uber Driver Is On The Way To Pick Up Someone Or During A Trip. While the Uber driver is en route, Uber’s insurance coverage expands significantly. In these situations, Uber’s insurance provides up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. This means that if others are injured in the accident, Uber’s insurance can cover their medical expenses and other damages up to $1 million. Additionally, Uber offers coverage for situations where the other driver doesn’t have sufficient insurance or even if they don’t have insurance at all. Furthermore, this coverage extends to your own vehicle, providing compensation for damages like theft, vandalism, and accidents. However, there’s usually a deductible of $2,500 that you might need to pay before the coverage kicks in to repair your car.

Uber Accident Claims

According to Forbes Advisor, the amount you can get from Uber Accident Claims depends on a lot of factors. 

Uber’s insurance for accidents is considered to be good. It typically gives more coverage than what regular drivers get since it goes above the least amount of coverage that states ask regular drivers to have.

Normally, regular drivers are expected to have insurance coverage of at least $25,000 for property damage and at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for injuries. This is much lower than the $1 million coverage that Uber gives while its drivers are on the way to pick up passengers or have passengers in the car.

But having Uber’s big insurance doesn’t mean you’ll always get a ton of money for every accident with an Uber driver. The money you get, whether it’s agreed on or decided in court, depends on how much you really lost. This means the money should cover things such as medical bills, the money you couldn’t earn, the pain you went through, and how you felt emotionally.

Other Important Factors to Take Into Account

Insurance Coverage

Report the accident to both Uber and your own insurance company. Work together with your insurance company and be honest about what happened. This way, you can make sure you’re not left without coverage because of missing information.

Determining Fault

In North Carolina, there’s a rule called contributory negligence. If they find you even a bit responsible for the accident, you might not get paid for damages. Insurers and legal experts will look at all the proof, what people saw, and what the police report says to decide who’s at fault.

Dealing with Property Damage

If the Uber driver caused the accident, their insurance should pay for fixing your car. Take pictures of the damage, get a few repair cost estimates, and save all the papers about fixing your car and how much it costs.

Settlements And Compensation

Uber’s insurance might suggest paying you some money to make things right. But before you say yes, think about how much you spent on medical care, fixing stuff, how much pain you had, and the money you couldn’t earn. It’s wise to talk to a legal expert to make sure the money they’re offering is fair for what happened.

Time Limits

In North Carolina, there are certain deadlines you must follow if you want to ask for money because of injuries or damage. These deadlines are called statutes of limitations. If you don’t follow them, you might lose your chance to get what you’re due.

Legal Considerations

If you got hurt really bad or if there’s an argument about who’s responsible, talking to a personal injury lawyer could help. They know the legal stuff and can help you talk with the insurance company. If things get tough, they are capable of advocating on your behalf within a legal setting.

Need Help Starting A Claim For An Uber Accident?

If you or a loved one has been severely injured, don’t delay – call (800) 529-0804 right now for a free consultation with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer. When dealing with a stressful situation, you need a knowledgeable team to guide you through the recovery process. Contact Tatum & Atkinson, PLLC right away! There is no obligation, and it will not cost you anything to learn about your legal possibilities for 

pursuing compensation.

CALL THE HEAVY HITTERS AT 1-800-LAW-0804 TODAY!