7 Questions to Ask When Hiring an Uber Car Accident Attorney
Uber has become one of the largest rideshare companies in America with millions of active users. The app provides fast, convenient travel and has revolutionized the rideshare industry. However, when it comes to road safety, there is a darker side to Uber. In fact, rideshare apps have been linked to an increase in serious car accidents across America.
So what happens if you are involved in a car accident in an Uber? Well, this is where an Uber car accident attorney can help. Hiring an attorney can help you get compensation for your accident.
Not sure where to start when it comes to finding a great Uber attorney? Here are seven questions you should ask an Uber car accident attorney before hiring.
1. Do You Have Experience Handling Uber Accident Cases?
If you are an Uber passenger who has been involved in a car accident, you need an attorney with experience handling these cases. Experienced lawyers understand Uber's legal obligations and how to handle different accident circumstances.
They will also have experience in dealing with Uber (and their lawyers) directly. This is invaluable when it comes to making a successful claim against the at-fault driver in your accident.
2. Is Uber Obligated to Pay for Damages?
Companies like Uber and Lyft have a legal obligation to keep their passengers safe while on the road. Therefore, if the drivers cause an accident, the ridesharing companies can be found liable. However, these factors must be taken into consideration in order to prove negligence contributed to the Lyft or Uber accident.
- The status of the Uber driver
- Whether the rideshare application was in use or not
- Whether the driver had accepted your ride request
Uber provides liability insurance for all of its drivers. Coverage starts from the moment a driver logs onto the app. Uber may also provide personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist coverage depending on the state's legal requirements. This coverage generally provides:
- $50,000 worth of bodily injury liability insurance per person in the vehicle
- $100,000 of coverage per accident
- $25,000 worth of property damage liability insurance per accident
The amount of coverage that you are entitled to will depend on the circumstances of the Uber accident. Your lawyer will need to discuss the specific details of your accident to determine whether you have a claim to make and how much to ask for.
3. How Do You Prove That a Driver Is At Fault?
When it comes to making a successful Uber accident claim, your lawyer will help you prove who is at fault in an accident. This might be your Uber driver or it may be another driver involved in the accident.
Determining fault in an accident usually involves proving that one party was driving negligently. For example, if the Uber driver was exceeding the speed limit or ignoring road signs, that driver's insurance would have to cover the majority of damages.
An Uber accident attorney will know the best way to do this and have plenty of resources at their disposal to chase up evidence to support your claim.
4. What Kind of Compensation Can You Include in a Claim?
What victims can claim depends on the circumstances of their accident and the impact it has had on them. Any good Uber accident attorney should explain the type of compensation you can claim after an accident. There is a common misconception that you can only claim for injuries resulting from your accident. However, you may also be able to claim:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages or loss of work opportunities
- Property damage
- Emotional and psychological damages
5. What Is Your Success Rate for Uber Accident Cases?
Of course, you want to hire an Uber accident attorney who is going to help you win your case. Because of this, it is always worth asking about their success rate. A lawyer's "success" should focus on the number of cases they have won and the value of settlements they have secured for their clients.
The majority of Uber accident claims will be settled outside of court, but it is worth considering the possibility of your claim going to trial. In that case, a judge will decide on the outcome of your case based on your lawyer's presentation. So it is a good idea to hire a lawyer with some experience in litigating Uber accident cases.
6. How Much Do You Charge?
Hiring an Uber accident attorney can vastly increase your chances of making a successful claim. However, you need to ensure you are clear on how they bill and how much they charge.
Make sure that you ask about their fees when you first speak to them to figure out if this is within your budget. You should also ask about their payment structure.
For example, some lawyers may charge per hour for their services. In addition, they may charge additional fees for other services and the use of their resources, like going to court to settle the car accident claim. So make sure you ask about all fees.
Some lawyers will take their fees as a percentage of your final settlement at the end of the case. Asking about this in advance will make it easier to organize your financial planning so you can hire a great lawyer to help with your claim.
7. What Information Do You Need From Me?
Asking an attorney about their experience and approach to settling Uber accidents can help you find the right representative for you. In addition, it can also help to ask them what they need from you to get your claim started on the right track. This ensures you get your claim off the ground as quickly as possible.
They will require information on the Uber driver, where the accident occurred, how the accident occurred, and any other relevant information. Also, it's a good idea to keep notes on the ridesharing accident, so important facts are not forgotten down the line.
Get Support From an Uber Car Accident Attorney Today
If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, an Uber car accident attorney will help you secure the compensation you deserve. This will provide valuable financial support while you recover from your accident.
Sycamore Accident Lawyers have years of experience handling these types of cases. Get in touch today to organize a free consultation about your case.