Were you injured in a crash involving an Uber driver? Unfortunately, it’s common for rideshare collisions to leave victims grappling with painful injuries, unexpected expenses, and a lot of unanswered questions.
As a result, the aftermath of an incident like this is often very overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it all alone—an Uber accident lawyer in Norwood will help you. With Jason Stone Injury Lawyers by your side, you’ll get to focus on healing while we fight to protect your rights.
As your Norwood rideshare accident lawyer, we’re here to help you hold the responsible parties accountable. We have 21 years of experience and counting. In that time, we’ve recovered over $250 million in compensation while handling more than 15,000 cases.
Determining Liability After an Uber Accident
In the state of Massachusetts, the process of establishing liability after a car crash involves proving that someone acted negligently and caused harm as a result.
In Uber-related collisions, this often means one or more of the following factors are at play:
- The Uber driver was at fault
- Another driver was at fault
- A third party—such as a pedestrian or cyclist—contributed to the incident
- A vehicle defect or road hazard caused or contributed to the collision
Liability is not always easy to prove, especially if multiple parties are involved. Furthermore, each party’s insurance provider will likely try to shift blame to minimize how much they owe you as the victim of the crash.
For instance, Uber drivers are not considered employees under Massachusetts state laws. In turn, Uber often attempts to shield itself from liability, which is why it’s very important to determine the driver’s status and activity at the time of the crash.
But don’t worry—your Norwood car accident lawyer will know how to negotiate with insurance companies and fight for your right to receive money that compensates you for the injuries you were forced to face due to someone else’s negligence.
The Three Periods of Uber Insurance Coverage
Uber’s insurance policy follows a tiered structure that is based on the driver’s activity at the time of the crash. Your Uber accident lawyers in Norwood will take on the responsibility of identifying which phase the driver was in at the time of the collision.
Massachusetts mandates that all rideshare companies must comply with specific insurance requirements, which are set by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). Uber upholds these through a combination of the driver’s personal insurance and Uber’s commercial policy.
While your Norwood personal injury lawyer will likely explain this information in greater detail and regarding how it all applies to your case, here’s a general overview of the different periods involved in rideshare collision incidents.
Period 0: App Off
If the Uber driver is not logged into the app when the crash takes place, the driver will be considered off-duty at the time of the collision. In cases like these, only the driver’s personal auto insurance will apply. In other words, Uber provides zero coverage during this period.
Period 1: App On, No Passenger
When the driver is logged in to the app and waiting to accept a ride request, Uber will often provide limited liability coverage if a car crash occurs at this point:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $30,000 for property damage
It’s important to note that this level of coverage only applies if the driver’s personal policy either does not cover the collision or is insufficient.
Periods 2 and 3: En Route to Pick Up or Transporting a Passenger
Once the driver has accepted a ride, the driver will either be en route to the pickup location or in the process of transporting a passenger. In circumstances like these, Uber will often provide more extensive coverage in the following ways:
- $1 million in liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
Time Limits for Filing an Uber Accident Claim in Massachusetts
Massachusetts state laws impose a statute of limitations for filing injury claims, which includes those involving Uber-related car crashes. In many cases, injured parties have three years from the date of the crash to file either a claim or a lawsuit in pursuit of compensation.
If you fail to take legal action within this window of time, the courts might dismiss your case, no matter how strong the evidence is. That said, exceptions apply to certain situations, like in cases involving minors or people with cognitive incapacitation.
This is why it’s very important to contact Uber accident attorneys in Norwood for legal advice and guidance. Your lawyer will be able to look at the specifics of your case and make sure you do what must be done before running out of time.
Contact Our Uber Accident Law Firm in Norwood Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car crash with an Uber vehicle, you don’t have to handle the aftermath on your own. These accidents often leave victims facing a plethora of physical, emotional, and financial consequences, but you’re not alone.
Injured? Better Phone Stone. At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, our Norwood Uber accident attorneys are here to help. We take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home. The other side is already working on you—don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you.
Instead, contact us as soon as possible. We’ll respond to you within 24 hours of receiving your call. You never need to reach into your pocket to pay us because there’s no obligation—just information®. That’s the Stone Cold Guarantee®.
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