Houma Uber Accident Lawyer

With ride-sharing services like Uber becoming more and more popular, questions are being raised regarding the liability of these drivers if they get into an accident and injure another person, including the passengers they are carrying.

The state of Louisiana has tried to answer many of these questions by enacting “The Transportation Network Company Motor Vehicle Responsibility Law” bill. Under this law, Uber is required to provide insurance for two portions of the trip: the pre-trip period and the trip acceptance period.

Even with the new law, though, Uber accidents can often become very legally complex in comparison with other car accident cases. If you were in an Uber accident, whether as a passenger or in another vehicle on the road, it could be imperative that you speak with a Houma Uber accident lawyer for experienced help with your case.

Pre-Trip and Trip Acceptance

The pre-trip portion of Uber insurance covers the driver from the time they have accepted the trip request to the time that they pick their passenger up. The insurance requirement is $25,000 in bodily injury or death coverage for one person or $50,000 for everyone involved in the accident.

The trip acceptance timeframe includes the portion of the trip in which the passenger is actually in the vehicle, from the time they are picked up until they are dropped off. During this portion of the trip, Uber must provide much more coverage.

In Houma, Louisiana, Uber must provide $1 million in coverage for bodily injury, death, and property damage during a trip. In addition to this coverage, the company must also provide uninsured or underinsured coverage.

While the law seems clear about the liability coverage Uber must provide, if an accident occurs, Uber may try to state that the driver was an independent contractor, not an employee. Because of this, Uber could deny all responsibility, making it difficult for injured passengers or other drivers on the road to claim compensation from Uber’s insurance company. Speak with a Houma uber accident attorney to learn more.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Insurance issues aside, if an Uber driver is negligent, a person can still work with a Houma Uber collision lawyer to file a claim against them. Passengers and other drivers are encouraged to do this when the injuries they sustained are very severe and the insurance Uber offers will not cover it, even if the company does agree to pay out the benefits.

In auto accidents, $1 million in coverage may still not be enough. This is often the case when people sustain injuries such as paralysis that require extensive rehabilitation, home care, and home renovations to accommodate their new condition. In the most severe cases, when a wrongful death has occurred as a result of the accident, $1 million is not enough to cover the pain and suffering of the family, the household income they have now lost over the deceased’s lifetime, and other expenses.

Personal injury claims will most often be filed against the driver of an Uber if they were the negligent party, but there are some cases in which Uber could have a claim filed against them as well. For instance, if the Uber driver was drunk at the time of the accident and it was clear through public records that they had a history of drunk driving, Uber could be held responsible for not performing proper background checks and allowing the individual to work for them, even as an independent contractor.

Speak with a Houma Uber Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one were in an Uber accident, contact a Houma Uber accident lawyer today. These cases can quickly become very complicated, and this is one matter that you do not want to fight on your own. Call today to schedule a consultation.