There are many different reasons to use Uber in North Carolina. Whether you don’t have access to a vehicle of your own or need a ride home after drinking, rideshare apps are a convenient transportation option. But being in a rideshare vehicle does not eliminate the risk of being injured in an Uber accident. Whether you are an Uber driver, passenger, or someone in another car injured by an Uber driver, you have a right to fair compensation. The experienced personal injury attorneys of Maginnis Howard may be able to help.
North Carolina Car Accident Injury Rights
The involvement of an Uber car does not change your rights under North Carolina law. The same negligence principles apply in any other motor vehicle collision case. Suppose you have suffered a physical injury because a driver was negligent. In that case, you have a right to compensation for your bodily harms, including payment for any lost wages, payment for any related medical expenses, and fair damages for your pain and suffering, permanent injury, loss of use of a part of your body, and disfigurement and scarring (if these are applicable in your case).
Unfortunately, in North Carolina, many motorists carry only the minimum bodily injury liability coverage required by state law. The requirement stipulates a minimum coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per “occurrence.” An occurrence is for accidents that involve one or more passengers. For example, if four people are injured in one vehicle, they can get up to $60,000 to split between themselves.
Functionally, there is often an arbitrary cap on what an injury victim can recover. Like any other experienced personal injury firm, we have seen cases where severely brain injured individuals or even the family of someone wrongfully killed by a drunk driver are limited to such small insurance coverages because the at-fault party did not buy sufficient insurance and did not otherwise have money available to satisfy any judgment or pay a settlement. With Uber claims, however, there is often additional coverage beyond these artificially low amounts that help ensure you’re not left holding the bag after someone else’s mistake.
Special Circumstances in Uber Accidents
On the other hand, the involvement of an Uber vehicle may provide protection that doesn’t always exist in other claims. Specifically, more insurance coverage may be available if your damages are significant.
For example, while a passenger is in an Uber car, there will be $1,000,000 of liability coverage available if the driver is at fault. Additionally, the Uber insurance policy provides $1,000,000 of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage even if another driver is at fault. Many of our other blogs address these types of coverage, and we will explain them to you upon request. Though, they provide a layer of protection even if the negligent third party has insufficient liability insurance.
For example, while a passenger is in an Uber car, if the driver is at-fault, there will be $1,000,000 of liability coverage available. Additionally, even if another driver is at-fault, the Uber insurance policy provides $1,000,000 of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage. Basically, though, they provide a layer of protection even if the negligent third-party has insufficient liability insurance.
Similarly, suppose the Uber driver is on the way to pick up a passenger. In that case, there will be $1,000,000 of liability coverage available if they are at fault and $1,000,000 of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage if another motorist’s negligence injures the Uber driver. The coverage is much less significant if the Uber driver is waiting on a request, and there is no additional coverage while using the vehicle for personal use.
Representation for Victims Injured in an Uber Accident
The North Carolina lawyers at Maginnis Howard have represented hundreds of individuals involved in motor vehicle collisions. From our Raleigh office, we offer free consultations to all individuals injured in a crash involving an Uber. Additionally, we offer a contingency fee arrangement for personal injury cases. This means you don’t pay any attorneys’ fees until we settle your claim or recover a verdict or arbitration award. To speak with a personal injury attorney regarding your Uber case contact us at (919) 480-8526. You can also visit our contact page to submit a request to be contacted. Please note that our firm handles claims involving Uber transportation across the state of North Carolina.
