After a car accident, insurance companies determine fault and make settlement offers to victims. If an at-fault driver lacks insurance, the victim may need to find other sources of payment, such as the driver’s employer if they are a commercial driver, or the victim’s own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
The insurance policy requirements for Uber drivers in San Diego help passengers and other drivers avoid problems when seeking compensation after a car accident involving an Uber driver. State laws require rideshare drivers to carry their own insurance and Uber itself to carry negligence insurance for its drivers. The rideshare attorneys at Singleton Schreiber Injury Attorneys could explain how each type of insurance covers you in the event of a serious rideshare accident.
How Does Uber’s Insurance Coverage Work?
Uber drivers do not generally work as employees of the company, unlike taxi drivers who are employees of a taxi company. That means that accident victims cannot sue Uber for its drivers’ actions. After a series of lawsuits involving their drivers, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies in San Diego must follow requirements to provide negligent liability insurance for their drivers when they are actively carrying passengers.
On and Off App
Uber drivers must maintain the necessary policy minimums through their own car insurance when they are not using the app or looking for passengers in San Diego. Uber’s insurance applies when a driver is on the app and waiting for a ride request, as well as when the driver is actively en route to pick up a passenger or transport that passenger to their destination. In the first case, Uber’s insurance provides $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. If the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or transport them to their destination, Uber provides $1 million in liability coverage, along with UM/UIM coverage of $60,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.
If the Uber driver is at fault, their personal insurance must reach its policy limits before the company’s insurance applies. Uber drivers often have a commercial or rideshare endorsement to provide gap coverage if their personal policy denies commercial coverage. Your attorney may look for this type of coverage when reviewing your case.
Evidence Needed for Proving Fault
California is an at-fault state, meaning that the party at fault pays for the victim’s damages. Uber could argue that its driver was off the app to avoid responsibility for the accident. The attorneys at Singleton Schreiber Injury Law could help you collect the evidence you need to prove that the driver was working at the time of the accident. Text and phone logs, witness statements, and other documents are essential to prove Uber’s liability in your case.
Call Us for Help Understanding Coverage Policy Requirements for San Diego Uber Drivers
Before you can file an Uber-related claim, you must report the accident to the company. However, you may want to speak with an attorney before notifying Uber’s claims department. An attorney could review your claim and help you avoid making any statements of fault or liability before you submit it. An attorney could also help you seek the maximum compensation you are entitled to receive based on the insurance policy requirements for Uber drivers in San Diego.
