How Do Uber Insurance Claims Work?

If you get into an accident with an Uber driver or if you are an Uber passenger who suffers an injury, you need to know how these insurance claims work. Unlike other car accident claims, Uber claims often involve multiple parties. Both Uber and their driver may bear liability for the crash.

Due to these complexities, it is important to have an experienced Pennsylvania Uber accident lawyer on your side from the start. Your attorney can help you understand how Uber insurance claims work, so you can collect the compensation you deserve.

About Uber

Following nine super-successful years, when Uber went public in 2019, it made history in the wrong way with the biggest first-day dollar loss in U.S. history. Since then, Uber has remained the top rideshare company, currently worth about $57.7 billion. Uber brought Uber Eats, a major player during the pandemic, to deliver restaurant food to those who were uneasy going out. Uber also has a partnership with Lime, the scooter company in cities across the U.S., and has completed high-profile acquisitions of companies such as Drizly, Postmates, and JUMP.

In 2017, Uber’s corporate culture was “outed” as being hostile, offensive, and sexist, resulting in an investigation of the company. CEO and one of the co-founders of Uber, Travis Kalanick, was forced to resign. Through the years, Uber has faced fierce resistance from government regulators and the taxi industry, yet remains the primary rideshare company in the U.S., followed by Lyft, which has a much smaller share of the business (As of May 2022, Uber had 72 percent of the rideshare business).

What Happens if I’m Injured As a Passenger in an Uber Accident?

If you are a passenger in an Uber accident, this means your driver had the app turned on and active. Uber drivers are required to carry insurance that meets minimum requirements in each state, plus in the state of Pennsylvania, they can carry extra rideshare insurance if they choose. Since Pennsylvania is a more complex no-fault state, if you chose limited tort insurance, you will always first file against your own insurance for minor injuries and damages.

If your injuries and damages are more severe, and the accident was the fault of your Uber driver, you will file against his or her insurance in some cases, even if your own insurance is a limited tort. If your Uber driver’s insurance does not fully cover your injuries and other damages, you may also be able to file against Uber—which carries much higher liability limits on their insurance.

If your insurance is full tort, then there are no restrictions on filing against the at-fault driver to have your injuries and damages fully covered. If you were an Uber passenger and another vehicle was at fault for your accident, then you will, again, file against your own insurance for minor injuries—if you have limited tort insurance–and damages.

Suppose the other driver is either underinsured or uninsured, and you carry uninsured/underinsured coverage on your own insurance policy. In that case, you may file under your insurance to cover what the other driver’s insurance does not cover. Whether you think you might file against Uber or not, you should immediately notify them of the accident. You should also contact the police, receive medical attention for your injuries, and contact an experienced Uber accident attorney as quickly as possible.

What if an Uber Driver Hits Me?

If you are a driver hit by an Uber driver and the accident is not your fault, you will first file under your no-fault insurance if you carry limited tort insurance or against the at-fault driver if you have full tort insurance. Even with limited tort insurance, if your injuries are severe, you may still be able to file against the Uber driver’s insurance. If the accident is serious and your injuries are severe, you may have to file against Uber, or, in some cases, against your own uninsured/underinsured insurance. No-fault limited tort insurance in Pennsylvania allows you to seek compensation for certain injuries sustained in your accident. However, recovering non-monetary damages like pain and suffering is prohibited. Some exceptions allow for lawsuits to collect compensation for non-monetary damages when specific conditions are met. These conditions are based on the severity of your injuries and whether they are disabling or disfiguring.

Under What Circumstances Might Uber Pay for My Injuries?

If your injuries are catastrophic, therefore, not fully paid for under your limited tort insurance, the at-fault driver’s insurance, or your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and the Uber driver was logged in and active and/or had Uber passengers, your attorney may file against Uber’s insurance. If your injuries are considered severe, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputated limbs, severe internal injuries, or any injury that renders you disabled or disfigured, then a claim against Uber will be filed in an attempt to fully recoup your losses for the accident.

How Do I File an Uber Insurance Claim?

Uber drivers who are involved in an accident while the Uber app is open and the driver either has passengers or is on the way to pick up passengers will use specific forms to report the collision to Uber. Uber will then reach out to confirm everyone is okay, gathering the information they may need later. If you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle and there is a collision, you can report the accident on your Uber app. Again, Uber will reach out to confirm everyone is okay, gathering the necessary information. Third parties who are involved in an accident with an Uber driver can find a link online at the Uber website to report the collision. An Uber driver who has requested a ride request and is in an accident that is not his or her fault is covered under Uber up to $1 million.

How Long Will My Uber Insurance Claim Take?

If you file against Uber, your claim could take a while, particularly in cases where liability is unclear. Like most prominent companies, Uber will go out of its way to avoid accepting responsibility for your injuries, so it may drag out negotiations as long as possible. Most “normal” car accident claims take six months or more. If your attorney files against Uber in an attempt to have your injuries and other damages fully covered, you could expect the claim to take longer, perhaps even longer than a year. If the case goes to court, you can expect it to take as long as two years or more.

If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident, whether you were a passenger, the Uber driver, or another driver whose vehicle was hit by an Uber driver, having a strong advocate in your corner who fully understands all the complexities of rideshare accidents can be a massive advantage for you. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Pennsylvania Uber accident attorneys have a deep understanding of the laws in Pennsylvania surrounding rideshare accidents, therefore, can help you through this difficult time.