San Antonio Uber Accident Attorney

Ridesharing services in San Antonio like Uber are supposed to make the experiences of commuting and traveling better. You do not book a ride with them while thinking in the back of your mind that you may need the services of a San Antonio Uber accident lawyer. Unfortunately, that can happen from time to time.

For one reason or another, your Uber driver was involved in an accident and you suffered injuries. What will happen next in that scenario? Will you be compensated for what happened? Those are some of the questions people tend to ask the San Antonio Uber accident attorneys after being involved in an Uber accident. Find out the answer to them after going through this article.

What Is Uber?

Once you have created your account, you can already book a ride. First, input your pickup point in Bexar County and note where you want to go. Book your ride and wait for a driver to accept it. The driver who accepts your request will head to your pickup point and take you to your selected destination. At the end of the trip, you can pay for the ride either with cash or through the app.

What to Do if You Are in an Uber Accident in Texas

Any Uber car accident attorney will tell you that the things you do right after the incident will be critical to the success of your personal injury claim. By continuing below, learn more about the crucial steps you must take in that situation.

• Check Yourself for Injuries: Check yourself for injuries as soon as possible; note any injuries you have, then proceed to the next step.
• Dial 911: Call 911 so you can get immediate medical attention if you need it. You can still tell the dispatcher to send police officers to your accident site in San Antonio or wherever you may be, even if no one is badly hurt.
• Collect Evidence and Information: Next, you want to turn your attention to collecting evidence and information. Take pictures of the cars involved and the accident site as well. You should also speak to witnesses who saw the accident unfold. During this time, you should also speak to your Uber driver. Ask for their name, contact details, and insurance information because you will likely need them later.
• Talk to the Police Officers: Approach the police officers as soon as they arrive and start sharing what you saw. You can also pass along the evidence you have gathered to them.
• Report Your Accident to Uber: You should report the accident to Uber so you have a record you can point to later. Use this form to report your accident.
• Visit Your Doctor: The injuries people sustain from Uber accidents are not always easy to detect. Therefore, you should head to your doctor following your Uber auto accident to better understand your current condition.
• Partner with an Uber Car Accident Lawyer: Get in touch with a rideshare lawyer if you were involved in an Uber accident. You will need one by your side as you continue pressing ahead with your lawsuit. Meet with a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can so you can present the strongest case possible.

Do I Need a Texas Uber Accident Attorney?

Hiring a rideshare attorney is a must if you were recently involved in an Uber accident. But why is that the case? The benefits provided below should offer some clarity regarding that matter. Read on to find out how an Uber car accident attorney can be helpful to both riders and the drivers involved.

Help You Understand Uber’s Insurance Policy

Uber’s insurance policy changes based on when an accident took place. Your lawyer can identify the specific coverage for your case and push for damages based on that.

Talk to Uber’s Representatives

Do not expect Uber or their insurer to hand over your compensation after you file a claim. Handing out money is counter to their business model, so you can expect them to wage a legal battle. You will be glad that you hired an Uber car accident lawyer who can handle those dealings with the other side’s insurers and legal representatives.

Protect You from Liability in a Pedestrian Accident Case

A pedestrian may blindside you while you are waiting for a passenger. In incidents like that, the fault is often on the driver. However, there are instances where the pedestrian is the one at fault. Your lawyer can investigate your case and prove that you are not to blame for what happened. They will also go after Uber to ensure they do not shirk their responsibilities.

Secure an Insurance Payout from Uber

The motorist who crashed into your vehicle while driving for Uber may have inadequate insurance or no coverage. In that case, Uber should cover you with their uninsured or underinsured insurance policies. File a claim with Uber and get the compensation you deserve for the accident.

File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit on Time

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Texas is two years from the day of the accident. Therefore, you should coordinate with an Uber accident lawyer in San Antonio to ensure your lawsuit is on time.

Uber and Lyft Insurance in Texas

The insurance coverage offered by both Lyft and Uber changes based on specific factors. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers discuss those factors and the coverage limits both companies offer below.

Period 0

Period 0 refers to the time when the Uber or Lyft driver is using their vehicle while the app is off. This basically means that they are not working as a rideshare driver during that time. If an accident occurs during Period 0, they will only use the driver’s personal policy.

Period 1

An Uber or Lyft driver enters Period 1 when the app is on but has not yet secured a passenger. During this time, both Lyft and Uber offer $50,000 per person for bodily injury and $100,000 total in bodily injury per accident. Both companies also allot $25,000 to cover property damage for each accident. Note that Uber and Lyft will only offer this type of coverage if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply.

Periods 2 and 3

Period 2 begins when a rideshare driver has accepted a booking and is en route to pick up the passenger. Period 3 takes effect when the ride is underway. We are combining them here because coverage is similar for both periods.

Lyft and Uber provide $1,000,000 in third-party liability. The two companies also offer first-party injury insurance. The first-party coverages may include uninsured and underinsured policies. They also offer contingent comprehension and collision coverage up to the actual cash value of your car with a $2,500 deductible.

Determining Fault in an Uber Accident

Determining fault in any car accident case is crucial because damages may need to be awarded at some point. If you got injured because of what happened, you must receive compensation. The party tasked with providing you with said compensation will depend on who is liable for the accident.

First off, the party responsible for the accident could be the other driver. Their carelessness may have led to them hitting your Uber driver’s vehicle. In that case, that driver’s insurance provider will be the one tasked with compensating you for your losses. Of course, there are instances where people get on the road even without insurance. In those cases, that other driver must cover your losses out of their pocket. Uber’s uninsured motorist coverage could also come into play if the responsible party does not have insurance.

It is also possible that your Uber driver is the one responsible for the accident. In that case, your compensation may come from their personal insurance policy. Uber’s liability coverage could also come into play at some point. The state of Texas following the modified comparative fault principle could further complicate matters. Since that rule divvies up the blame, if more than one party is deemed responsible for the accident, it may also affect where your compensation comes from.

As you can see, securing compensation following an Uber accident is easier said than done, even if you were the passenger. Partner up with an Uber car accident attorney if you would prefer to leave the handling of that matter up to a legal professional.

Dealing with Uber Following the Accident

Uber advises passengers to do three simple things after an accident takes place. The first thing Uber urges their passengers to do is check if all the parties involved in the accident are safe. Depending on what happened during the accident, Uber also encourages their passengers to contact the police. If paramedics are needed, Uber advises their passengers to call them as well.

Lastly, Uber wants their passengers to contact them after the accident. You can contact Uber by heading to the Trips and Fare Adjustments menu in their app. Once you are in there, you can provide your trip information. After providing your trip information, you can start detailing what happened.

Reporting the accident to Uber is a smart move on your part. By doing so, you create a record of the report, which could come in handy later when you seek compensation. However, you should also know that reporting what happened to Uber could lead to them reaching out to you as well. A representative from Uber may contact you. During that conversation, they may try to get you to say something about not pursuing compensation.

Uber is in the business of making money, so it should come as no surprise if they do whatever they can to protect their bottom line. You need to prepare for that. Repeating what you said in your report previously is fine. Be careful if the representative starts to take the conversation in another direction. At that point, you can tell them to contact your San Antonio Uber accident lawyer because you do not intend to say anything else.

The Importance of Pursuing Compensation

After an accident, some passengers may feel like they should let things slide. Since they feel relatively fine after the accident, they are content to let it go and not seek compensation. Ultimately, it is your choice if you want to work with a Texas car accident attorney to get compensation for the accident. Remember, you could be exposing yourself to some potentially significant losses if you opt against going after the compensation you deserve.

Medical Bills Can Be Expensive

By declining the opportunity to pursue compensation, you are effectively accepting the possibility that you will pay for your treatment yourself. That is a big risk to take on your part since car accidents can cause some serious injuries. Some of the injuries you may sustain following an accident include concussions, whiplash injuries, and even injuries to your spine. Treating those injuries could be costly. It would be better if the responsible party’s insurance covered it.

Car accidents can also cause soft tissue injuries such as contusions, sprains, and strains. Though they are relatively minor, those injuries can still be painful and limit your physical capabilities. On top of that, that some soft tissue injuries take a long time to heal. Considering how your accident-related injuries could impact you moving forward, it would only be fair for the responsible party to cover their treatment.

Your Property May Be Damaged

Items you brought along for your Uber ride, such as your laptop or smartphone, could end up sustaining serious damage. Repairing those items may be necessary. If the damage is severe enough, replacing them may be your only option. The party responsible for the accident should repair or replace your damaged possessions. Make that happen by suing for compensation.

You May Suffer Other Losses

The impact the San Antonio Uber accident has on you could go beyond injuries and property damage. Because of what happened, you may also find yourself unable to work. It may not take long before you lose your job. You may also find yourself unable to enjoy your old hobbies. The accident can also inflict lasting mental trauma that causes you to feel uneasy whenever you are inside a car.

Those are also significant losses. You deserve proper compensation for them. The aftermath of an Uber accident can be difficult to handle. Make it easier to manage by partnering with Barrus Injury Lawyers. Contact us today and let us serve as your Uber car accident lawyer.

Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas

If you are only in San Antonio for a short while, you may not want to drive to each tourist destination. You may want to reserve your energy for the attractions themselves. In that case, you can always use the Uber app to get around town.

Book a ride to Toyota Field and catch the USL Championship’s San Antonio FC in action. San Antonio FC is cultivating quite the fan base in the city, and it is not too late to choose them as your USL Championship squad.

Perhaps you are looking to learn more about the city of San Antonio and its unique history. In that case, you should set The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and The Texas Ranger Museum as your next destination. This establishment is unique because it offers guests access to two different museums. You can explore The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and check out its exotic animal collection. Meanwhile, The Texas Ranger Museum features artifacts that tell the story of the Texas Rangers.

For a more relaxed experience, do not forget to visit Brackenridge Park. While here, you can go bird watching, hiking, or catch a show at the Sunken Garden Theater. You can also enjoy a delicious meal at the Japanese Tea Garden & Jingsu House Café.

Finally, you can also book a family trip to SeaWorld San Antonio. Take part in the park’s animal experiences and give your kids some incredible memories. The park’s dolphin interactions have proven to be quite particular. After interacting with all the animals, you and your kids can also go on the park’s many rides!

Texas Uber Car Accident Lawyer

Ridesharing is no longer only a novel means of getting around. For many Bexar County residents, ridesharing has become their preferred method of personal travel.

Of course, the rise in popularity of ridesharing has also led to an increase in accidents involving Lyft and Uber drivers. If you are ever involved in one of those accidents, the San Antonio Uber accident attorneys at Barrus Injury Lawyers can provide some legal assistance. Contact us today if you wish to pursue compensation in your Uber accident case.

Some of the cities in Bexar County which our law firm serves include: San Antonio, Kirby, Leon Valley, Converse, Live Oak, Universal City, Schertz, New Braunfels, Pleasanton, Seguin, Canyon Lake, Hondo, San Marcos, Kyle, Kerryville and Lockhart.

Common Uber & Rideshare Injury Questions