What to Do if Your Uber Crashes

Every year, millions of rideshare rides are completed by users across the globe. Unfortunately, not all passengers make it to their destinations safely. Ubers are involved in many serious and fatal vehicle accidents annually. If you were involved in an accident while taking an Uber in Colorado, take the following steps to protect yourself:

Check for Injuries

First, check yourself and everyone else in the vehicle for injuries, including your Uber driver. When it is safe to exit the vehicle, check the people in the other car for injuries and render aid, if necessary. If anyone appears to be injured, call 911 right away to request paramedics. Although these are technically the motor vehicle driver’s responsibilities after a car accident, calling the police yourself can ensure that law enforcement is notified about the Uber crash.

Report the Accident

In Colorado, all motor vehicle accidents that involve injuries, deaths or property damage must be reported to the police right away. Even after a more minor accident, however, notifying the police can be beneficial, as it provides a police report for an insurance claim later. If your Uber driver has not called the police, do so yourself. When the police arrive at the scene of your rideshare accident, make sure they get your side of the story. Write down your police report number before you leave.

Notify Uber

In addition to reporting the crash to the police, you should also file an accident report with Uber. You can do this online through Uber’s website or in the Help section of the Uber app. The reporting process will require details of the accident, such as where you were, what happened and a description of all vehicles involved. If anyone was injured, Uber will need to know this information, as well. Before discussing your injuries, however, you should see a doctor.

Go to a Hospital and Gather Evidence

Do not wait to visit a hospital after an Uber accident. Prompt medical care is something that Uber’s insurance company will look for when determining if you qualify for benefits. Collect copies of your medical records, medical bills and other evidence that may be relevant to your injury claim. This can include a copy of the police report, photographs of the accident, video surveillance footage of the crash, a screenshot of your Uber ride and correspondence with Uber’s representatives. Collecting evidence can help you put together a stronger case.

File an Insurance Claim

All rides on Uber are covered by insurance. Uber carries up to $1 million in insurance coverage to pay for passenger injuries. The amount of insurance available will depend on the phase or period of the ride. If you were riding as a passenger at the time of the crash, however, you will always be eligible for up to $1 million in liability insurance.

The following amounts of insurance are available from Uber:

• When a driver is available or waiting for a ride request: $25,000 in property damage liability per accident, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $100,000 in bodily injury per accident.
• When a driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up the rider or during a trip: $1 million in third-party liability insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance, and contingent comprehensive and collision insurance up to the actual cash value of the vehicle (with a $2,500 deductible).

If the Uber driver is logged out of the app at the time of the accident, Uber does not provide any insurance. The Uber driver’s personal insurance company will cover injuries and property damage up to the limits of the policy. Before you quickly settle a claim with Uber as an injured passenger, contact a Denver rideshare accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights. You may be entitled to greater financial compensation than Uber’s insurance company is offering.