Uber Accident Attorney in Fort Wayne

Ridesharing services such as Uber have changed the way people get around in Fort Wayne. Today, UberX and UberXL drivers operate throughout the city, often ferrying passengers to and from Fort Wayne International Airport. Unfortunately, these drivers are not highly trained or certified professionals. They are regular people who can make the same mistakes that any other driver can make when behind the wheel.

If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries in a car accident involving an Uber driver or other ridesharing service driver, the car accident attorneys at Truitt Law Offices want to help you. We can bring decades of experience in handling motor vehicle accident claims to your case. We also have an in-depth understanding of the complicated insurance issues that often arise in Uber accident cases.

To learn more about how we can help you, call or reach us online today. In addition to Fort Wayne, we serve clients from our offices in Huntington and Indianapolis. Our initial consultations are always free, and we will charge nothing for our legal services unless we recover compensation for you.

What Are Common Causes of Uber Accidents in Indiana?

You don’t need any special training or certification to become an Uber driver in Fort Wayne. Instead, you need to meet fairly minimal requirements, including being at least age 21 and having a valid driver’s license, at least one year of driving experience, and a car that meets Uber’s standards. The company also requires drivers to pass a background check. In fact, Uber is a popular way to earn money because it is relatively easy to become an Uber driver.

Uber drivers, in that sense, are like any other driver you may encounter on the road. They can – and they often do – make careless mistakes and reckless decisions. Because they may face a high amount of stress or fatigue due to heavy demand and long hours behind the wheel, they may actually be more likely than other drivers to cause car accidents. For instance, an Uber driver may be at fault for a crash due to:

If an Uber driver was at fault for your car accident and injuries – whether you were in your own car or an Uber passenger – Truitt Law Offices will work tirelessly to pursue all compensation you are due.

Do Uber Drivers Have Insurance for Accidents?

To drive for Uber, a person must have personal liability auto insurance that meets a state’s minimum requirements. This insurance covers the bodily injury and property damage that a driver causes due to his or her negligence. This insurance covers situations when a driver is not logged into the Uber app and is driving for his or her own personal reasons.

So, in Indiana, an Uber driver must carry liability insurance that covers, at a minimum:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,00 per accident for bodily injury (if two or more people are hurt)
• $25,000 per accident for property damage.

Uber also provides drivers with “contingent” liability coverage. This coverage applies when a driver is logged into the rideshare app but has not yet accepted a ride request. It will cover a victim’s losses if the driver’s personal liability insurer refuses to provide coverage. (If a driver uses a car for Uber rides, and the driver does not have a rideshare endorsement, the insurer may exclude coverage.) Additionally, the Uber contingent coverage will kick in if a driver’s personal insurance falls shy of paying for all of a victim’s losses. The Uber insurance will pay up to:

• $50,000 per person for bodily injury
• $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage.

If an Uber driver causes a car wreck while actually transporting a passenger, Uber will provide coverage of up to $1 million. This insurance includes bodily injury and property damage.

What Happens If an Uber Driver Hits My Car in Fort Wayne?

If an Uber driver causes a motor vehicle accident that leaves you with serious injuries and damage to your vehicle, your options for obtaining compensation will depend on which one of the three following stages the driver was in at the time of the car crash. Those stages are:

• The driver was not logged into the app – Because the driver was operating the car for personal reasons, Uber’s insurance won’t kick in. Instead, you would turn to the driver’s personal liability auto insurance and, perhaps, your own uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
• The driver was logged into the app, waiting for a ride request – In this situation, the driver’s own coverage would apply as well as Uber’s contingent liability coverage (again, if the driver’s insurance won’t cover the crash or fails to fully cover all of your losses).
• The driver was transporting a passenger – Because the driver clearly was working for Uber at this stage, Uber’s $1 million coverage would apply.

Keep in mind: Insurance companies want to protect their profits by paying as little as possible to resolve claims for car accidents. If an Uber driver hits your car, you will need to have an experienced lawyer at your side to protect your rights when dealing with the insurance companies and pursuing the compensation that you are due.

What Happens If I Am a Passenger During an Uber Accident?

If you get injured while riding in an Uber car as a passenger, your legal options will depend on whether your driver or another driver caused the crash. If the Uber driver caused the car accident, you would turn to the $1 million liability insurance that Uber provides when drivers are logged into the app and carrying passengers. On the other hand, if the driver of another car was at fault, you would turn to that driver’s liability coverage. If the driver’s insurance fails to fully cover your damages, or if the driver lacks any insurance, Uber provides at least $1 million in UM/UIM.

What Is The Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in Indiana?

The Indiana statute of limitations for a car accident claim is two years. This is the same time limit as other personal injury claims.
What this time limit means is that you have two years in which to file your personal injury lawsuit. Should you not file your lawsuit before that time limit expires, you will lose your opportunity to have your car accident case heard in court.

Get Help from Our Fort Wayne Uber Accident Attorneys Today

If you are confused about your legal rights and options after an Uber accident in Fort Wayne or elsewhere in Indiana, the experienced auto accident attorneys at Truitt Law Offices are ready to help you. We will provide a free, no-risk consultation, and we will charge no costs or fees unless we secure compensation for you. Call or reach us online now to get started.