Uber has always been a popular way to get around town, even before a court lifted the Uber ban in Philadelphia. However, many who use Uber regularly have not stopped to think about how an insurance claim would work after a crash. Luckily, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has implemented rules to ensure you can get the compensation you need after an Uber accident — no matter if you are a passenger, third party, or Uber driver.
Sorting out liability after an Uber accident — or even determining how to file an insurance claim — is often a complicated process. If you suffered serious injuries in a Pennsylvania Uber accident, Cordisco & Saile LLC can help protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Call us at 215-642-2335 today to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation.
How does PA’s no-fault choice insurance play a role?
If you have a car in Pennsylvania, you should have a personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance policy. Just like in other crashes, this coverage will pay out a limited amount to help you pay for medical treatment and lost wages after an accident involving an Uber driver. No matter who is at-fault in a crash, you can file a claim based on your PIP coverage.
Uber also provides PIP coverage, in certain cases, for those who do not otherwise have access. This policy is only in effect while the driver is “on the app.”
If the Uber driver caused the accident, you may be able to recover additional compensation for serious injuries from either his/her personal liability insurance policy or a liability policy provided by Uber. If another driver caused the crash, you may be eligible to file a claim based on that driver’s liability policy.
Which insurance provider you file a third-party claim with depends greatly on the circumstances of your crash. We can help you determine the best route for recovering adequate compensation.
Whose insurance covers me in an Uber accident?
If your injuries are serious and you need coverage beyond your PIP policy, it is often difficult to know whose insurance company should pay after an Uber accident. Largely, it depends on your role in the crash, which party caused the wreck, and whether the Uber driver was on the app at the time of the incident. Consider these possibilities:
You Took an Uber and Your Driver Caused the Accident
Uber provides liability coverage for passengers who suffer serious injuries in crashes caused by Uber drivers. Once you exhaust any PIP coverage available, you can file a claim with Uber.
You Took an Uber and Another Driver Caused the Accident
Once you have exhausted any PIP coverage available to you, you may file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company if you suffered serious injuries. This should provide compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and other losses up to the maximum limit of the policy.
An Uber Driver Hits Your Car
The situation becomes a bit more complicated if you are a third-party who suffers serious injuries and property damage because of a negligent Uber driver. Whether you file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance carrier or Uber’s insurer depends on whether the driver had a passenger in the car at the time.
In general, the driver’s personal policy applies when they are not working and the Uber policy goes into effect when the driver is heading to a passenger or has a passenger in the car.
Uber might cover the driver even if s/he had not matched with a rider at the time of the collision.
You Are the Uber Driver and Another Driver Caused the Accident
If you are an Uber driver, it pays to make sure you truly understand how your insurance coverage works in case of an accident. If you are not working, your personal PIP coverage should pay out regardless of fault. When you are on the clock, however, Uber will most likely refuse to pay for any injuries you sustain.
Luckily, Uber’s PA insurance policy provides PIP coverage for drivers while they are working. If you suffer serious injuries, you may also be able to file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
What kind of insurance does Uber provide in Pennsylvania?
As a part of the agreement that allows ridesharing companies to provide service in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission set very specific insurance regulations for Uber and other similar providers.
These regulations require all rideshare companies to provide primary liability coverage and personal injury protection coverage for their drivers while they are available to accept riders. The level of this coverage depends on what the driver is doing at the time of the accident.
If the driver is not logged into the app, Uber provides:
- No coverage, instead the driver’s own personal liability policy should apply
If the driver is available for riders but does not yet have a fare, Uber provides “as necessary” contingency coverage that includes:
- $50,000 coverage for bodily injury per person
- A maximum of $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 coverage for property damage per accident
The coverage will kick in if the driver’s policy refuses to pay.
If the driver accepts a fare and is in route or has a rider in the car, Uber provides:
- $1,000,000 coverage per accident for personal injury
- $1,000,000 coverage per accident for property damage
- $1,000,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist protection coverage
Can I hold Uber responsible for a driver’s negligence?
Uber classifies drivers as independent contractors, not employees. Based on this classification, the rideshare company denies any vicarious liability for drivers’ negligence. According to an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, however, how the company classifies its drivers may matter very little when it comes to liability for accidents and injuries.
Several accident victims have already sued the rideshare company for damages. Uber settled several of these cases out of court, meaning that victims received compensation even if the company did not accept responsibility. Your lawyer can advise you whether or not you need to pursue this type of claim in your case.
Call Cordisco & Saile LLC After a Pennsylvania Uber Accident
The lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC help victims of Uber accidents in Bristol, Newtown, and Bucks County get the compensation they deserve. Knowing how to handle the Uber accident claims process can be difficult. Let us go to work for you.
Call us today at 215-642-2335 to learn more.
