Uber Accidents and Pedestrians

According to GHSA, pedestrian accidents are at a forty-year high, with an estimated 7,485 pedestrians struck and killed by vehicles in 2021. This is an average of 20 deaths every single day. This figure does not even address how many pedestrians are severely injured after being hit by a driver.

The root cause of pedestrian accidents centers around drivers speeding and exhibiting other dangerous driving behaviors, along with inadequate infrastructure and roads designed specifically for vehicle speed. The risk of death for a pedestrian increases exponentially with the vehicle’s speed.

To put that more concretely, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling 23 mph has a 10 percent chance of dying. In comparison, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling 58 mph has a 90 percent chance of dying.

With so many Uber vehicles on the roadways, it stands to reason that there would be accidents involving pedestrians. Further, many Uber vehicles are transporting tourists and may be distracting to the Uber driver as they search for a safe place to drop off the passengers. This could lead to increased pedestrian accidents and pedestrian accidents for Uber passengers as they are exiting or entering the vehicle.

If you or someone you love got hit by an Uber driver while crossing the street, you have legal rights to pursue compensation. However, figuring out how to collect that compensation requires legal guidance and support.

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Pennsylvania Uber accident lawyers can help you after a pedestrian accident. We know the best ways to secure maximum compensation, so call today.

What Happens When I’ve Been Hit by an Uber Driver While Walking?

If an Uber driver hits you as a pedestrian, you will likely have a lengthy recovery period and expensive medical treatments ahead of you. Whether or not Uber will cover your claim depends on many different things. Uber may not pay anything if the Uber driver had their app on but had not yet picked up a passenger and then hit a pedestrian. However, Uber can bear liability if the driver was working during the pedestrian accident.

Of course, the Uber driver must carry minimum insurance levels. Still, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle could have catastrophic injuries that would far exceed the limits of an individual driver’s insurance policy. If the Uber driver was considered on duty, meaning they had picked up a passenger, then Uber could be responsible for damages that exceed the driver’s policy. This situation requires a knowledgeable Pennsylvania personal injury attorney to ensure all your damages are fully covered.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained by Pedestrians Hit by an Uber?

As a pedestrian struck by an Uber vehicle, you may have suffered severe, even catastrophic, injuries. Pedestrians have no protection, not even a helmet that a motorcyclist or bicyclist might be wearing. A vehicle is 3,000 plus pounds of glass and steel. Those inside have airbags, seatbelts, and a “cage” surrounding them. A pedestrian has none of these things. Because of this, pedestrians can suffer a level of injury that is difficult to come back from after being struck by a vehicle.

Limb amputations, spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries and bleeding, and severe injuries to the face that can cause permanent disfigurement or blindness can all occur when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle. Such injuries can mean permanent disability and an inability to return to work. Medical bills may be ongoing for months, years, or a lifetime.

Traumatic brain injuries can cause permanent changes in the victim’s ability to think and speak and can lead to long-term issues such as:

• Loss of memory and inability to remember even short-term tasks
• Chronic headaches
• Seizures
• Vertigo (chronic dizziness and nausea)
• Chronic fatigue
• Issues with balance
• Deficits in language skills
• Emotional issues, including depression, sleep disturbances, and mood swings
• Difficulty solving problems
• Other cognitive impairments

How Will I Prove Liability Following My Uber Accident?

As with any accident, liability or fault must be determined before Uber gets into the picture. The driver’s history, actions by the pedestrian, and even Uber’s hiring methods and history could all come into play. If the Uber driver was clearly at fault—i.e., they ran a stop sign or hit a pedestrian crossing in a designated crosswalk, then the driver’s insurance will be the first your attorney will pursue.

If it can be shown that Uber hired a driver they knew to be unsafe or who had been involved in multiple accidents, then Uber could potentially be the first liable party. When the police arrive following an accident, they will talk to those involved and witnesses to determine who was at fault for the accident. It may not always be apparent who was at fault, so the insurance company may do its own investigation to determine fault.

Why Do I Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer for My Uber Accident?

If Uber is found liable, it will likely fight such a determination. Since they have an entire stable of expensive attorneys, you must have your own experienced personal injury attorney who will not hesitate to go up against a massive corporation like Uber.

Uber’s policy is complex—by design—and was created to protect the company from situations like this. Your attorney will investigate to ensure you are properly compensated for your damages after being struck by an Uber vehicle.

As a pedestrian, you have a right to use the road. When a negligent Uber driver injures you, they can – and should – be held accountable. Uber and Lyft may also bear liability if the driver was working during the accident. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we know how to get Uber pedestrian accident victims the compensation they deserve. Call us today to learn more about your legal options.