If you’ve been injured in a car accident involving an Uber® driver, you may feel frustrated. Through no fault of your own, you may be dealing with mounting medical bills, dwindling bank accounts, and uncertainty about the future. If you’re considering legal action, you may be wondering, “What can I get for an Uber settlement amount?”
Some cities, like Houston, encourage using Uber to avoid drunk driving. As rideshare companies continue to grow, so do accident claims against them. After an Uber-related accident, Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can help. Uber car accident settlements in Texas can be complicated. You’ll benefit from the help of an experienced rideshare injury attorney.
What Makes Uber Accident Settlements Complicated?
Lawsuits and settlement negotiations against Uber for the actions of their drivers can be complex. These matters are complicated because you’ll be dealing with multiple parties.
In a traditional car accident lawsuit, there are usually two parties: you and the other driver. If you both have insurance, your lawyer will likely only be negotiating with the responsible driver’s insurance company.
Uber accidents are different because at least one more insurance company will be involved. Additionally, Uber has the money to hire multiple lawyers to protect their company and minimize any insurance payout.
Determining Fault Can Be Tricky
Another reason Uber car accident settlements in Texas can be difficult is that finding the rideshare company responsible can be complicated. Uber’s insurance policy covers accidents only under certain conditions. Instances that affect whether Uber is responsible for their drivers’ actions include:
- Whether the Uber driver is on their way to pick up a passenger
- Whether the rideshare driver is transporting a passenger
- Whether the Uber driver is logged in to their rideshare app.
If it can be proven that the rideshare driver was picking up or transporting an Uber client, the company may share responsibility and financial liability. If the driver is “offline” at the time of the accident, they may be covered only by their personal insurance policy, which will likely have lower coverage limits.
Types of Compensation Available for Uber Accident Victims
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident that involved an Uber driver, you may be entitled to several types of compensation. Through negotiations with insurance companies or after a trial, some victims can receive damages for:
- Lost wages and lost income-earning potential
- Current and future medical bills
- Cost of rehab and any necessary long-term care
- Pain and suffering.
The weeks and months following a car accident can be traumatic and confusing. You may already be receiving settlement offers from insurance companies.
Thinking about the money you need to cover your expenses may have you wondering, “What can I get for an Uber settlement amount?” Talk to the car crash injury attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law before accepting any settlement offer from Uber.
How Long Does an Uber Settlement Take?
When you are dealing with the financial fallout of an auto accident, you may feel impatient, and even desperate. Insurance companies know this, so they often approach accident victims with a low offer. It can be to your benefit to have a seasoned attorney on your side who is a skilled negotiator.
Because timing is critical, you may wonder, “How long does an Uber settlement take?” There is no hard and fast answer to this important question. Every injury claim is different. There are a variety of factors that affect the length of time it might take for your settlement to resolve. These include:
- Factual difficulties with the case
- The extent and permanence of your injuries
- The number of parties involved
- The willingness of insurance companies to negotiate in good faith.
Even if liability is conceded, injury settlements take six to twelve months. When liability is being disputed, it can take even longer. If your case ends up going to trial, which is rare, the process could take years to resolve.
How Long After a Settlement Is Reached Will I Receive My Money?
After a settlement agreement is reached and all of the documents have been signed, the insurance company or companies involved will close the case and send a check to your attorney. Your attorney will place the money in an account. Before you receive your money, the following bills and fees will be paid from the account:
- Medical bills
- Court costs and fees
- Attorney fees.
You will receive your final check from your attorney. This process generally takes four to six weeks. Of course, if you want to know how long it will take to receive your money in your specific case, your Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law attorney will discuss that with you.
What Is the Average Uber Accident Settlement?
What is the average Uber accident settlement? As is typical with questions involving legal matters, there is no clear answer to this. A variety of factors affect Uber settlement amounts, including:
- The seriousness of your injuries
- The amount of time it will take you to fully heal
- Whether your injuries are permanent
- If the Uber driver was negligent in their actions.
The average settlement amount for an Uber accident case ranges from $15,000 to $50,000. Uber’s insurance policy has a payout limit of $1 million, but unless you have sustained a serious injury (e.g. involving spine surgery or brain damage), receiving an amount that high is not likely.
Why Choose Us?
The personal injury attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law are here to answer your questions about your Uber accident settlement.
We would be happy to meet with you in a free, no-obligation consultation. Our attorneys will listen to you as you share your story. We will also ask follow-up questions to make sure we understand the details of your case. Then we will provide you with legal options so you can make an informed decision about how you want to proceed.
Call Us for Help with Your Uber Accident Settlement
Call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law today at 713-973-8888 or toll-free 1-800-444-5000 for the compassionate and personal attention you need and your case deserves. Let us handle the details of your claim so you can focus on your healing.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]