Getting involved in a traffic accident of any kind can leave you with both physical and psychological scars, especially if you were a passenger who had no control over what was happening or where the vehicle you were riding in went. When it comes to physical and financial harm stemming from this sort of accident, you can typically seek compensation through your own insurance, the insurance of the other person or people involved in the wreck, and—if you were in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle during the wreck—potentially corporate insurance coverage.
When it comes to suing a company like Uber for emotional distress after an accident, things can be a bit more complicated because of the unique way Uber and other rideshare services run their business. When you want to recover for this type of harm after an Uber accident, you need help from one of our experienced car accident attorneys.
What Does Uber’s Insurance Cover for Accident Victims?
If you get hurt in a traffic accident while you’re riding inside an Uber as a paying customer, or if you get hurt while driving or riding in another vehicle because an Uber driver carrying a passenger ran into you, you have access to up to $1,000,000 of insurance coverage through Uber’s liability insurance coverage. This is in addition to whatever no-fault coverage you may have through your own personal car insurance coverage, or the personal coverage held by your Uber driver that can cover things like medical bills and personal property damage.
However, if you get hit and hurt by an Uber driver who is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride request, Uber’s insurance only covers $50,000 of injury losses per person involved in the wreck. Neither type of insurance coverage provides compensation for pain and suffering or subjective forms of harm like emotional distress that don’t have specific financial values you can prove with bills and receipts.
Suing an Uber Driver for Emotional Distress
In order to recover compensation for emotional distress after an Uber accident, your attorney needs to file suit directly against the Uber driver involved in the crash. Either way, your right to file this sort of claim may be limited depending on how bad your injuries are and what type of insurance coverage you have. It’s always worth discussing your options with a car accident lawyer before trying to pursue a claim on your own.
If your claim is successful, you may be able to get paid for emotional trauma, physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries, and the general loss of life’s pleasures. You may additionally be able to recover for things like wage loss while you’re recovering from your injuries that weren’t already covered by insurance.
Our Attorneys Can Help Demand Money for Emotional Distress After an Uber Accident
While it’s not impossible to sue for emotional distress after an Uber accident, you generally can’t sue Uber directly for it, and suing an individual Uber driver can be more complicated than you might think. Fortunately, you have help available from a knowledgeable legal professional well-known for winning cases much like yours. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to get started on your claim.