Having an experienced Bethlehem Uber accident lawyer on your side is crucial when a rideshare trip ends in serious injury. An Uber crash can turn your life upside down, physically, emotionally, and financially. Knowing your legal rights and options after such an accident is essential for getting the compensation you deserve.
Munley Law is one of the most respected firms in Pennsylvania for Uber accident claims, with almost seven decades of success, client-first service, and a track record of significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured crash victims. We have won compensation of over $1 billion for clients, and we use our deep understanding of local Bethlehem roads, traffic laws, and courts to build strong, effective cases for our clients. We are also extremely familiar with Pennsylvania’s rideshare laws and understand how an Uber accident differs from a usual car accident.
Contact our Lehigh Valley lawyers for a free consultation today.
What Causes Uber Accidents?
Uber accidents can be caused by the same risk factors as other vehicle accidents. However, due to the nature of the job, Uber drivers are exposed to unique risk factors.
Some common causes of Uber accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Uber drivers can be easily distracted while looking for passengers to pick up or checking their phones for directions.
- Driver Fatigue: Rideshare drivers often work on top of their full-time jobs, leaving them likely to be exhausted.
- High Business Pressures: Uber drivers push themselves to take on more and more jobs to make ends meet, increasing time on the road.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Tire or brake malfunctions can lead to dangerous accidents. Rideshare drivers may neglect routine vehicle maintenance because they need their vehicles to make money.
- Inexperience or Inadequate Training: Uber drivers are not required to undergo driving training or to have a specific level of experience.
According to Pennsylvania traffic data, crashes involving rideshare vehicles are on the rise as statewide rideshare use grows and more vehicles are on the road. This reflects national trends of increased distraction-related collisions. Furthermore, since the introduction of rideshare services, fatalities have increased by around 3% annually.
Prompt legal advice can make the difference between a denied claim and full compensation, especially in complex Uber accident cases.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Understanding Claims and Liability After an Uber Accident
Uber provides up to $1 million in liability insurance when a driver is logged into the app and either en route to a pickup or carrying a passenger, but their coverage isn’t automatic.
Uber’s insurance policy will cover an accident in these scenarios:
- The driver caused the crash while signed in to the app, and when they either had a passenger or were driving to pick up a passenger.
- The driver caused the crash while waiting for a passenger pickup. While the driver’s personal insurance company is the primary insurer in this case, Uber’s insurance will apply if the primary insurer denies or does not cover all expenses.
- The Uber driver did not cause the crash, but the third-party driver who caused the crash has no car insurance in limited cases.
If the Uber driver was not signed into the app at the time of the accident, then the driver’s insurance will be responsible for all costs. As Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state, all drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. You have the right to file a claim with your insurance provider after an accident, regardless of who was at fault, but PIP insurance coverage can be limited.
In any case, becoming the victim of an Uber accident may mean you will need to fight both the driver’s insurance and Uber’s insurance company to recover damages. Your insurance provider will likely be unable to provide the coverage you’ll need for a full recovery.
That is why it is important to involve an Uber accident attorney as soon as possible in your case. Your attorney will help you pursue the best possible accident compensation you are owed.
“Since 1959, we have secured over $1 billion in compensation for our clients. When someone is seriously injured, they’re up against insurance companies with unlimited resources. My job is to level that playing field, and fight until they get the justice they deserve.”
Daniel W. Munley
How Do You Protect Your Rights as an Uber Passenger?
After an Uber accident, it is important to take steps to protect your rights and your claim. Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible will help you get started with your case.
In the immediate aftermath of a rideshare accident, take the following steps:
- Call the police and ensure they file a formal report of the accident. Request a copy of this report.
- Record any relevant details, including the make, model, and license plate numbers of all involved vehicles, as well as contact information of involved parties and witnesses.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and any injuries.
- Take notes of any relevant facts of the scene at the moment, whenever possible, including anything about your Uber driver.
- Get medical treatment immediately. Even if you don’t believe you were injured, some injuries may take hours or days to show up, and if you wait this long to seek treatment, you may find it harder to connect your injuries with your accident.
Taking these steps will greatly increase the chances of success in your claim. However, your injuries may have been so severe that you were rendered unable to take one or more of these steps. In this case, reaching out to an attorney as soon as you are well enough is crucial.
Our Uber accident lawyers at Munley Law can begin obtaining this relevant information on your behalf once you reach out to us. We have the resources needed to thoroughly investigate all aspects of your Uber crash.
How an Uber Accident Claim Works in Pennsylvania
An Uber crash claim is typically more complicated than a non-rideshare accident claim, as multiple layers of liability come into play. After a rideshare accident, your claim could involve various claim benefits, with each operating differently.
For example:
- The Uber driver’s personal insurer will be liable if the driver was not logged into the Uber app at the time of the accident.
- Uber’s commercial policies are tiered, with the $1 million benefit that kicks in under specific conditions.
- The at-fault driver’s coverage or third-party lawsuits may pursue additional damages for pain, suffering, and long-term losses.
- Your own PIP benefits under Pennsylvania law that cover certain medical and lost-wage benefits.
Insurance companies will look for ways to minimize or deny claims to protect their bottom line. Having an attorney who knows how to present evidence, negotiate with adjusters, and prepare a claim trial is necessary for maximum recovery.
How Much Can I Recover in an Uber Accident Settlement?
Knowing the average Uber accident settlement will likely not help determine potential compensation for your case. Every accident is unique, and it can be nearly impossible to calculate an Uber accident settlement without knowing all of the facts in the case. Certain factors can greatly impact how much you might receive in a settlement, including:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Your expenses for medical care and property damage
- Your pain, suffering, and mental or emotional damages
- Whether the accident resulted in temporary or permanent disability
- Whether the accident resulted in disfigurement
- Your total in lost wages and other income
- Whether your loved one lost their life in an Uber accident
When you work with Munley Law, we can calculate the compensation you are owed based on these factors. We can also work with economic and financial experts to calculate projected future losses resulting from reduced earning capacity, long-term medical rehabilitation, and other costs.
Can I Sue Uber Directly for My Accident?
When it comes to Uber accidents, many people may assume they will sue Uber directly. Some accident victims may wonder if suing Uber for an accident might be a better way to secure compensation. However, when pursuing a claim for an Uber accident, it is incredibly unlikely that you will sue the Uber company directly.
People who drive for Uber and other ridesharing companies are considered independent contractors rather than employees. Independent contractors act independently of companies that hire their services. Therefore, the actions of an independent contractor resulting in a car accident do not generally leave Uber open to liability.
However, this doesn’t mean that Uber as a company can never be considered liable in any car crash involving an Uber driver. Uber must stick to basic standards regarding drivers they approve to drive for their company. Uber drivers must, at a bare minimum, carry a valid license and have a good driving record. Uber is also required to perform basic criminal background checks on potential drivers.
To pursue a claim against the Uber company itself, you must be able to prove that the company retained a driver who did not meet these requirements, resulting in an accident that caused injury to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Accidents in Bethlehem, PA
What Steps Should I Take Immediately After an Uber Accident?
Directly after an Uber accident, you should call the police, document the scene, exchange insurance information, take photos, and seek immediate medical attention. Prompt action helps to create and protect evidence and your claim.
How Quickly Do I Need to File a Claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations generally gives two years to file a lawsuit after a crash. However, insurance deadlines may be much sooner, so acting quickly is key.
Do I Need a Lawyer If I Have Uber’s Insurance?
Yes. Uber still tries to limit payouts. An Uber accident lawyer ensures you have full compensation for all damages.
Can I Claim Lost Wages After an Uber Accident?
Yes, if your injuries prevented you from working. Future earnings loss can also be included in a claim.
What If the Uber Driver Was Not Logged into the App at the Time of the Accident?
If the Uber driver wasn’t logged into the app at the time of the accident, then their personal insurance will typically apply first. This can complicate your claim, which is why legal help matters.
Does Pennsylvania No-Fault Insurance Apply to Uber Crashes?
Yes. Personal injury protection (PIP) benefits can cover certain costs regardless of fault, but they do not replace liability claims. An attorney can help you combine all available coverages.
Contact Munley Law for Help After Your Rideshare Accident
Have you or someone you loved been injured in an accident involving an Uber driver? Get help from Munley Law right away. Whether you were a passenger or struck by an Uber driver, our Uber accident attorneys can get to work for you.
We are willing to fight for you, whether through settlement or trial, to secure a favorable outcome in your case. Reach out to our office in Bethlehem for a free initial consultation with one of our trusted Uber accident lawyers.
Call or contact us online today.
Daniel W. Munley
Daniel W. Munley is an award-winning personal-injury attorney and champion of plaintiffs’ rights. For decades he’s won multi-million verdicts and settlements and is recognized as a national leader in truck and rideshare litigation, including a record $26 million truck settlement in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a $20 million recovery in 2024 for life-altering commercial-vehicle injuries.
