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Any car accident case can get complicated, especially when it involves a rideshare company like Uber. If you suffered injuries in an Uber accident in Bluffton, our lawyers can assume all the tasks associated with seeking compensation from a liable party.
At Schiller & Hamilton, our Bluffton car accident attorneys can look into whose insurance policy applies in your case or take legal action against a negligent party. Multiple parties may be liable for your accident-related injuries, and we can pursue appropriate compensation from each of them.
Determining Liability in an Uber Accident in Bluffton
One of the most difficult things to do in an Uber accident case is to identify whose insurer to make a claim with. This depends on the status of the Uber driver at the time of the accident.
Consider the following coverage options and when they apply.
When the App Is Off
Whenever the Uber driver app is off, accident victims will have to pursue compensation through the driver’s personal insurance policy. Uber requires their drivers to carry the state’s minimum insurance coverage.
According to the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI), the minimum is $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident.
When the App Is on and the Driver Is Waiting to Match With a Fare
Sometimes, Uber drivers idle and wait to match up with a prospective passenger. Their app is still on, though. If an accident occurs during this period, Uber maintains the following third-party liability coverage:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
They will cover up to these amounts when a driver’s personal insurance policy would not.
When the Driver Is En Route to Pick Up a Passenger or During a Trip
When a driver is actually transporting a passenger or even just on the way to pick one up, Uber maintains the following coverage:
- $1,000,000 of third-party liability
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM)
- Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible
Insurance Claims for Uber Accidents Can Get Complex
Just because Uber maintains coverage at different times during a driver’s employment doesn’t mean seeking compensation will be straightforward. Uber’s insurer and the driver’s personal insurer may go back and forth, denying liability. This can drag out a case and require extensive paperwork and negotiation.
You don’t have to hassle with insurers, though. Our Bluffton Uber accident attorneys can handle all the communications with the liable parties, their insurers, and their representatives.
Our personal injury lawyers can negotiate with insurers and field any settlement offers you receive. Keep in mind that once you accept a settlement offer, you usually cannot take legal action later on to seek additional compensation. This is why it’s important to accurately assess your losses.
Potential Compensation from an Uber Accident Case in Bluffton
Your potential compensation depends on how severe your injuries are and how much they affect your life. Even seemingly minor accident injuries can get costly when it comes to medical treatment, though. You may stand to recover more awards than you think.
When our Bluffton Uber accident lawyers take on your case, we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to your losses.
Some examples of the damages we can seek include:
- Current and ongoing medical expenses, such as for surgeries and physical therapy
- In-home aid
- Disability
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
Wrongful Death Damages
As with any car accident, an Uber accident can prove fatal. If you lost a loved one in Bluffton, our wrongful death lawyers can lead your case. We can seek compensation for:
- Your loved one’s funeral expenses, including burial or cremation costs
- The income they contributed to the family
- Their paid and suffering
- Their medical bills
While we navigate the legal process, you can get back to spending time with your family and honoring your loved one’s memory. Your family doesn’t deserve to struggle financially in their absence, on top of grieving this loss.
Who Can Seek Compensation for an Uber Accident?
Uber’s insurance coverage, as well as any driver’s personal insurance policy, usually covers other drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians who suffer injuries in an accident.
If you were injured in an accident, we can pursue the liable parties. We advocate for accident victims and their families, and now, we want to fight for you.
Taking Legal Action After an Uber Accident in Bluffton
In some cases, the best course of action for seeking compensation after an Uber accident is to file a lawsuit. This can also be the best way to move forward if you have to seek recovery from a third party. For example, another motorist may be involved in your accident, and they may share a percentage of the fault.
Our Bluffton Uber accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. In doing so, we will handle all of the paperwork and work to meet important deadlines, such as the statute of limitations.
Your Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
According to S.C. Ann. §15-3-530, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you choose this route, this is not your first step, though. Your attorney still needs time to investigate your accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with an insurer. All of these tasks take time, but they do not stall the deadline.
Our lawyers can help you meet this deadline and streamline the process as much as possible. It all starts with you, though. The sooner you call, the sooner we can start working on your case.
Our Bluffton Uber Accident Lawyers Can Take Your Case on Contingency
You shouldn’t have to worry about paying upfront fees for legal services. Our legal team works on contingency so that we can begin your case immediately. We only take a percentage of your potential compensation.
Call Schiller & Hamilton for your free consultation.