Many people choose to order an Uber or Lyft as a safe alternative. Being involved in an accident in an Uber or Lyft can be confusing. You know that you’re not to blame, but who’s responsible for your costs? What if you were driving? Can you be personally liable? Learn how Uber accident claims work in Pennsylvania, including your options for compensation.

Uber Accident Types

An Uber accident may occur in a number of situations, including:

• You’re the Uber driver: You could be in an accident while working for Uber as a driver. In this type of accident, liability is usually on you or another driver.
• You’re the passenger in an Uber: If you book an Uber ride and are in an accident, you’re unlikely to be at fault.
• You’re in an accident with an Uber driver: You could also be in an accident with an Uber driver while driving your own vehicle. Liability may be on you or the other driver.

The type of accident and who’s involved in it will affect liability and coverage. Additional factors, like whether or not the Uber driver was actively completing a ride, will also affect how an insurance claim works.

Uber Insurance Coverage in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires Uber drivers to have liability and injury insurance to transport riders using the app. Similar to single-passenger drivers in Pennsylvania, all Uber drivers must carry minimum insurance coverage. Uber also covers its drivers as long as they’re actively logged in and completing a ride. 

If the Uber driver is logged in but not actively completing a ride, Uber covers them for up to $50,000 in bodily injury per person and up to $25,000 in property damages per accident. The Uber insurance policy is only available if the driver’s personal auto insurance provider refuses to pay.

Uber covers drivers with an active passenger for up to $1,000,000 per accident for personal injury, $1,000,000 per accident for property damage, and up to $1,000,000 in uninsured/underinsured coverage. Uber also has specific requirements that drivers must agree to when accepting coverage. Failing to meet these requirements could result in Uber denying your claim.

Pennsylvania’s No-Fault Laws

Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that regardless of fault, all drivers and passengers will turn to their insurance policy for coverage. These laws factor into Uber accidents too. If you’re injured in an Uber accident, regardless of whether you were the driver, passenger, or another driver, you’ll turn to your PIP insurance to cover your medical bills and lost wages. 

Sometimes, the compensation available through this policy isn’t enough. If you suffer damages beyond what your insurance policy is willing to pay, you may have other options available.

You could file a personal injury lawsuit against Uber or the driver if negligence was a part of the accident. It may be worth reaching out to a lawyer if you need assistance deciding who should pay following an Uber accident. A personal injury lawyer may also be able to help if your insurance company wrongly denies your claim.

Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Uber Accident Case in Pennsylvania

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an Uber accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at The Law Office of Mark A. Smith represent clients injured because of an Uber accident in Pittsburgh, Homestead, Erie, Greensburg, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call 412-567-9598 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 707 Grant Street Suite 3250 Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.