You’re riding in an Uber when suddenly another car slams into you. Or maybe the driver runs a red light and causes a crash. Now you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills piling up, and missed work. Who pays for all of this? Can you sue Uber directly? Most people think they can just go after Uber and get compensated. It’s not that simple. The way rideshare companies structure their business makes direct lawsuits against them difficult in most situations.
Uber Classifies Its Drivers As Independent Contractors
Here’s where things get tricky. Uber doesn’t classify drivers as employees, but as independent contractors, which is a deliberate choice that may protect the company from liability in accident cases. When a driver causes a wreck, Uber’s standard response is that the driver bears responsibility, not the company itself.
But you can sue Uber directly in certain situations. These cases typically involve negligence on Uber’s part as a corporation, such as:
- The company didn’t properly screen a driver’s background before hiring
- Uber ignored multiple complaints about a driver’s unsafe behavior
- They failed to maintain reasonable safety policies
- A defect in the app itself contributed to what happened
Insurance Coverage Changes Depending On Driver Status
A Birmingham Uber accident lawyer can help figure out which insurance policy applies to your specific situation. Uber’s coverage isn’t one-size-fits-all. It typically changes based on what the driver was doing when the accident happened. If the driver wasn’t logged into the app at all, you’re dealing with their personal insurance.Uber won’t cover anything during this time. The problem? Many personal auto policies explicitly exclude rideshare activities, leaving injury victims with nowhere to turn.
Things may be different when the driver’s logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride yet. During this period, Uber typically provides limited liability coverage for bodily injury. The best coverage kicks in once a driver accepts your ride request or you’re already in the vehicle. That’s when Uber’s commercial policy provides significant liability coverage. This makes a massive difference if you’ve suffered significant injuries.
Third-Party Claims Work Differently Than Direct Lawsuits
Most rideshare accident claims don’t involve suing Uber itself. Instead, we file claims against the driver as a third party, and Uber’s insurance covers the damages. At Marsh | Rickard | Bryan, LLC, we know how to handle these cases to secure fair compensation for our clients.
Direct lawsuits against Uber are rare. They’re also harder to win. You’d need solid proof that Uber’s negligence as a company caused or contributed to your injuries. Maybe they hired someone with a terrible driving record. Maybe they received complaints about dangerous behavior and did nothing. These cases require extensive investigation and documentation.
What You Should Do Right After The Crash
Document everything immediately, if you can. Get the driver’s information, snap photos of the scene from multiple angles, and collect contact information from anyone who witnessed what happened. Request your Uber trip receipt through the app because it proves you were a passenger when the accident occurred.
See a doctor right away. Don’t wait. Even if you feel fine, some injuries won’t show symptoms for hours or even days. Delaying treatment hurts your claim and potentially your health. Keep every medical record, every bill, every piece of paperwork related to your injuries. You’ll want to report the accident to Uber through their app, but watch what you say. Insurance companies actively look for reasons to minimize your claim or deny it altogether. Recorded statements can and will be used against you later if you’re not careful.
Rideshare accidents involve multiple insurance policies, corporate liability questions, tight filing deadlines. A Birmingham Uber accident lawyer knows how to investigate these cases properly, identify every possible source of compensation, and negotiate them. If you’ve been hurt in an Uber accident, reach out to discuss your case and understand your legal options. You shouldn’t be handling this alone while you’re trying to recover from your injuries.
