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Who pays for your losses in an Uber accident?

On Behalf of | Sep 14, 2016 | Car Accidents

Do you know who is to blame if an Uber driver or a ridesharing driver causes an accident? If you or a loved one is injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, usually that driver or the employer of the driver can be held liable for your losses.

However, while technically working for a company, an Uber driver is not actually an employee. This can make it unclear as to who is liable for any damage to your car or injury to you.

Taxicab drivers and transportation companies are highly regulated and insured. A rideshare driver is a different since he or she is a private individual driving his or her own vehicle. These types of drivers are, for the most part, unregulated. So what happens if they cause accidents?

Whose insurance company pays?

Uber does carry insurance on their drivers, but it is typically secondary to the driver’s personal insurance coverage. This insurance also is normally only in effect when the Uber driver has a passenger in the vehicle. A legal question arises when an Uber driver is technically in work mode, accepting passengers, but is driving without a passenger. During those times, Uber claims its drivers are not covered by their insurance, and the company is not liable for any damages.

Louisiana laws

This means that accident victims can find it difficult to receive the compensation they deserve if they are in accidents under these circumstances. For those living in Louisiana, this gray area of insurance liability will continue until government regulations catch up with this new industry of ridesharing. This means that you may find yourself in a situation where you are on the losing end of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

If you or someone you know has been in an auto accident with an Uber driver, don’t try to wade through the tangled mess of insurance on your own. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at the law firm of Bruno & Bruno. A lawyer will help you receive the compensation you deserve.

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