Ridesharing services, such as Uber, are commonly used throughout the metropolitan of Washington, D.C. You may opt for rideshare because you believe it to be your safest way back home. But unfortunately, Uber accidents are known to still occur. Read on to discover how common these accidents are and how a seasoned Washington, D.C. Uber accident lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP can help you with what steps you should take.
How are Uber accidents so common in Washington, D.C.?
You do not even have to be a passenger in an Uber to become involved in an Uber accident in Washington, D.C. In fact, common parties involved in such an accident include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and other drivers on the road.
And even if your Uber driver has a high safety rating on the platform, mistakes still commonly occur. They may negligently decide to speed well above the enforced speed limit in a rush to start their next ride. Or, they may negligently decide to consume alcohol before beginning their shift. They may even be too distracted navigating their GPS or having a conversation with you. This is not to mention all the Uber accidents that are caused by outside parties.
How do I establish fault in a rideshare accident?
It is arguably more difficult to establish fault in a rideshare accident than in any other type of auto accident. For one, this is because Uber considers their drivers as independent contractors, and therefore tends to deny liability for an accident. And the company will definitely deny liability if the driver was not working at the time of the accident. This means that an Uber driver may only be covered by their personal liability insurance. So after your accident, you may only receive financial compensation that partially covers your injuries and damages.
For insurance coverage purposes, you may need to perform an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding your rideshare accident to properly establish fault. That is, it may be in your best interest to take the following actions:
- Interview witnesses who can recount the events that led up to your accident.
- Obtain surveillance camera footage from nearby property owners that show the events that led to your accident.
- Ask a law enforcement officer if they obtained an admittance of fault from the rideshare driver, along with a copy of the official accident report.
- Make a copy of the confirmation email you received regarding your rideshare order, which should state the date and time of your trip.
And if you still do not receive enough coverage from an insurance claim, then you may consider turning to a personal injury claim. A competent Washington, D.C. auto accident lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP is here whenever you are ready to initiate your personal injury claim. Simply contact our firm at your earliest possible convenience.