How to File an Uber Accident Insurance Claim

The aftermath of a car accident can be just as stressful as the accident itself. Between filing insurance claims, coordinating vehicle repairs, and maybe even dealing with injuries, there’s so much information to keep track of.

The situation gets even more complicated when an accident involves a rideshare vehicle. Suddenly you’re not just dealing with the drivers’ personal insurance policies, you also need to factor in the rideshare company’s own coverage that protects both the driver and any of their passengers.

Fortunately, there are protections in place for everyone involved in an Uber-related car accident, whether you’re the Uber driver, a passenger, or the driver of another vehicle in the incident.

Follow these steps if you’ve been in an Uber accident

If you’ve been in an Uber accident, or you want to be prepared in case an accident occurs in the future, here’s a guide to help you navigate the confusing process of filing an insurance claim.

What to do at the Scene of an Uber Accident

As with any car accident, the first and most important priority is your health. If you need medical attention, any of these other actions can wait until you’ve received the treatment you need.

Once you’ve ensured that you and the other involved parties are physically safe, you should next make sure someone calls the police. A police report will be important to have for your own records and for your insurance claim.

Before you leave the accident site, do your best to gather as much information as you safely can

Before you leave the accident site, do your best to gather as much information as you safely can. If your phone is working, take notes and photos to help you remember all the details. Information that could help your insurance claim might include:

  • Where exactly did the accident occur?
  • What happened, as far as you were able to witness?
  • Were there any road or weather conditions that may have played a factor?
  • Are there any businesses that might have picked up the accident on security cameras?
  • What do witnesses and the other involved parties say happened?

The more information you can gather the better, but keep in mind that just because you’ve collected all this information does NOT mean you should report all of it to the insurance company. It’s best to tell an insurance adjuster as little as possible.

Finally, make sure to get the insurance information of all drivers involved in the accident.

How to Report an Accident in the Uber App

Along with contacting the police, you should also report the accident to Uber.

Riders and drivers both have the option to report an accident within the Uber app

Riders and drivers both have the option to report an accident within the Uber app. It’s best to do this at the scene, if possible (that way Uber will know why you haven’t gone to your destination), but if you’re reading this after you’ve left the scene, you can still report the accident in your app:

If you’re a driver, visit the “Help” section, then select “Trip Issues and Adjustments,” then “I was in an accident.”

If you’re a passenger, visit the “Account” section and select “Help,” then “Help with a trip.” Choose the correct trip and then select “Report Safety Issue,” then “I was involved in an accident.”

If you were not in the Uber but were involved in an accident with one, you can report this online by filling out the third party incident form. 

What to Do After an Uber Accident

Even if you don’t think you’re injured from an Uber accident, you should visit your primary care physician or an urgent care center as soon as possible. Some accident-related injuries, like whiplash, don’t present symptoms for days or even weeks after the incident. Getting a professional opinion right away can help make sure insurance covers any future medical bills related to the accident.

This is also a great time to get organized. All the information you gathered at the scene of the accident, and everything you’ve collected since, could be important for your insurance claim. This includes:

  • Bills for any vehicle repairs
  • Insurance information of all the involved parties
  • Medical records and bills
  • Notes and observations from the scene of the accident
  • Photos
  • Police report

We’ll talk more below about why you might want to hire a lawyer after an Uber accident. If you plan to do so, you’ll likely want to consult with them before filing your insurance claim. An attorney who’s experienced at navigating the Uber claims process can help prepare you to talk to the insurance adjuster so you don’t say anything that could hurt your chances of receiving compensation.

How to File an Uber Accident Claim as a Driver

As an Uber driver, you have three levels of coverage that may or may not apply depending on the circumstances.

  1. If you’re driving in your car and the app is not turned on, you’re covered by your personal car insurance
  2. As soon as you connect to the Uber app, Uber’s own policy goes into effect. This covers up to $50,000 bodily injury per person, $100,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage per accident. In Georgia, Uber is covered by Farmers Insurance.
  3. From the moment you accept a trip until that trip ends (including the time you’re en route to pick up the rider), your third-party liability increases to $300,00, covering both you and the passenger(s).

If you were driving the other vehicle in an accident with an Uber driver, you should report the incident to both your insurance provider and to Farmers Insurance.

Regardless of your role in the accident, it’s important to file your claim as soon as possible

Regardless of your role in the accident, it’s important to file your claim as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the company could use this as a reason to deny your claim. This is why it’s so important to move quickly with making a doctor’s appointment and speaking to an attorney.

Uber is covered by Farmers Insurance in Georgia, and you can start the process of making a claim in several different ways:

After you’ve created your claim, an insurance adjuster will reach out to you to gather more information. Don’t forget, this person does not have your best interests at heart. Their job is to find reasons why you shouldn’t get your money.

To help avoid this, answer the adjuster’s questions, but don’t provide any more information than absolutely necessary. In particular:

  • Don’t admit fault
  • Don’t speculate about what happened, and only share verifiable facts
  • If they make you an offer, don’t accept it without consulting a lawyer
  • Keep your answers short and simple
  • Only provide the information they specifically ask for
  • If they ask a question and you’re unsure how to answer, tell them you need to speak to your lawyer first

How to File an Uber Accident Claim as a Passenger

When you’re riding in an Uber, you and the driver are both covered by Uber’s insurance policy. In Georgia, this coverage is through Farmers Insurance.

While you won’t have to worry about vehicle repairs, an insurance claim can help you receive compensation for any medical care, lost wages due to injury, and pain and suffering. You can file a claim with Farmers Insurance in any of the following ways:

An insurance adjuster will then reach out to you. Make sure to only give them the information they specifically request, and never admit fault (after all, you were not even driving).

If you don’t know which information you should share with an insurance adjuster, a Dunwoody personal injury lawyer can help you prepare for the conversation. And even once you start talking to the adjuster, don’t be afraid to tell them you need to consult with your lawyer before answering any questions you’re unsure about.

Should You Hire a Lawyer after an Uber Accident?

dealing with insurance after an Uber accident can get extremely complicated

As you can probably tell, dealing with insurance after an Uber accident can get extremely complicated. By working with an attorney — particularly one who has experience with both personal injury law and rideshare insurance claims — you can take the responsibility off your plate and better your chances of receiving the maximum possible compensation.

The best time to get an attorney is as close to the accident as possible. That way, they can help you make sure you’re collecting all the right information, and they can even handle details like obtaining the police report, keeping all your records organized, and filing the claim with insurance.

An experienced attorney can also help you identify the type and amount of compensation you can ask for. Depending on your role in the accident, this could include covering the costs of:

  • Car repairs or replacement
  • Lost wages due to injury or lack of transportation
  • Medical bills (both past and future)
  • Pain and suffering
  • Temporary car rental

With this information in mind, the attorney can prepare you to talk to the insurance adjuster, and once you’ve received an offer, they can help you determine if the amount is fair. They can even negotiate with the adjuster themselves if necessary.

having an attorney who has experience with rideshare accident litigation can make a major difference

And because it’s sometimes necessary to fight for your compensation in court, having an attorney who has experience with rideshare accident litigation can make a major difference, especially if they’ve been working with you from the beginning.

Work with an Experienced Dunwoody Rideshare Accident Attorney

When it comes to managing insurance claims after a rideshare accident, Nick Martin brings a breadth of experience in both personal injury law and Uber and Lyft accidents. Because of this, he’s able to advocate for clients when insurance companies try to keep them from getting their money and negotiate to help them get the best compensation possible.

Nick Martin also makes it as easy as possible for his clients, handling many of the stressful details so you can focus on healing from your injuries, getting your car fixed, or anything else you need.

If you or someone you know has been in an Uber accident, now is the time to act. Contact The Law Office of Nicholas P. Martin today at (770) 450-6155 or fill out this form to receive a free consultation.

Nick Martin
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