Uber-related car accidents are on the rise throughout California. From Orange County to Los Angeles, to Riverside and San Jose, more and more passengers are being injured while riding in a vehicle driven by an Uber driver. While the company does carry a $1 million insurance policy for accidents, there are some things that passengers need to know. For example, Uber drivers must also carry a car insurance policy that meets California’s minimum liability limits. Depending on the insurance carrier chosen by the driver, they may need to carry a specific sort of car insurance policy. Most traditional auto insurance policies don’t cover accidents if the driver is using the car to take people to and from locations for a fee.
You Must Report the Accident to Uber
To qualify for any sort of reimbursement for your injuries, you must report the accident to Uber. They may reimburse you for what you spent on the ride. You may also be contacted by an adjustor for 
their insurance company. This isn’t just to discover whether or not you’ve been hurt (although they will ask and they may pay for your medical bills). It’s also to find out about what happened since technically, you are considered a witness to the accident, as well as a victim.
What Happens If Uber Denies the Claim?
If Uber denies the claim you file, you have a few options. Hopefully you have already reported the accident to the driver’s personal auto or commercial auto policy. Follow up on that claim. Next, reach out to a personal injury attorney who has experience handling Uber accidents. With your lawyer’s help, you can ask Uber’s insurance provider how you can file a dispute regarding their decision.
Provided that the Uber driver was:
- on duty,
- assigned to pick you up and transport you, and
- not also attending to personal business
the claim shouldn’t be denied by Uber. However, that doesn’t mean that the insurance company will necessary treat you fairly even if you have copies of your medical bills. This highlights the importance of having an auto accident lawyer on your side to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident, contact the accident attorneys at Dennis Law Group today for a free, no obligation consultation about your case.