What to Do If Your Uber Crashes

Don’t be surprised if your Uber crashes. Most Uber drivers are very inexperienced. Over 95 percent of Uber drivers quit within a year. So, they often over-rely on GPS navigation devices. It’s very tough to drive with one eye on a screen and one eye on the road, especially in an unfamiliar part of town. Furthermore, Uber’s payment model basically encourages speeding and other reckless driving. The more trips Uber drivers complete, the more money they make.

Sometimes, your Uber crashes in other ways. In July 2024, a Texas Uber driver allegedly molested a 12-year-old girl. Authorities charged him with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Similar reports regularly come in from all over the country.

But for the purposes of this post, we’ll focus exclusively on Uber driver-vehicle collisions. Quite frankly, these victims need compensation and justice. They need money to put their lives back together, and they need to move on. Only a California Car Accident Attorney obtains these things. An attorney obtains compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Furthermore, a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer holds the company legally responsible for these damages.

Immediate Dos and Don’ts

A fast start is usually the key to a successful outcome. Runners who stumble out of the blocks typically lose the race, football teams trailing at halftime usually lose the game, and you get the idea.

As mentioned, many people don’t anticipate Uber crashes. They’re usually not paying attention to traffic; even if they are, their views are obstructed. Furthermore, they usually cannot tell if the driver is impaired. Since many victims are caught off guard, they often do or don’t do things that hurt their cases later.

The biggest post-Uber crash mistake is refusing to see a doctor. Many people don’t want to pay the bill, and since adrenaline masks their pain, they “feel fine.” But only a doctor can determine the extent of your injuries, if any. Additionally, when victims delay medical treatment, Uber lawyers typically argue that the victim exaggerated his/her injuries.

Saying inappropriate things is a close second. Statements to Uber are a good example. Uber drivers may be inexperienced, but Uber accident adjusters are very experienced. They know how to subtly extract damaging information from victims who, in many cases, aren’t thinking clearly.

Medical Attention

We mentioned the importance of prompt medical attention above. Common Uber crash injuries in Los Angeles include head injuries like:

• PTSD: The unexpected nature of Uber crashes increases the likelihood of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This stress-induced brain injury causes symptoms like depression, anger, and nightmares that make it almost impossible to function daily.
• mTBI: Concussions (mild traumatic brain injuries) are prevalent in surface street Uber crash cases. Most Uber passengers hit their heads on the backs of the seats before them. By design, the seat absorbs much of the impact. However, many Uber drivers cover this part of the seat with a screen or laminated information sheet.
• sTBI: Severe traumatic brain injuries kill over 50,000 Americans every year, many due to brain injury-induced suicide. Airbags, seat belts, and other restraint systems, no matter how advanced, can’t possibly absorb all the force in a high-speed Uber crash.

Usually, these victims need immediate surgery to reduce brain bleeding and swelling. Later, physical therapy is long and complicated, mainly because progress is uneven. These facts significantly increase the medical bills in an Uber crash.

Liability Issues

Usually, victims don’t need to worry about high medical bills because driver negligence usually causes an Uber crash, and the company is financially responsible for damages.

We mentioned aggressive driving and impaired operation (often excessive fatigue) above. Such shortcomings usually violate a driver’s duty of care, primarily since commercial drivers, like Uber drivers, are held to a higher standard.

The legal BAC difference illustrates this point. The BAC limit is usually .08 for noncommercial drivers. But it’s usually .04 for commercial drivers. Similarly, when it comes to aggressive drifting, Uber drivers have very little margin for error.

As for financial responsibility, the respondeat superior doctrine usually applies in these cases. Employers are financially responsible for damages if their employees are negligent during the course and scope of their employment.

Even if an Uber driver isn’t transporting a passenger, since these deadheading drivers benefit Uber, the respondeat superior doctrine generally still applies.

Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Today!

The vehicle usually has an Uber decal, and that advertising benefits Uber. If your Uber crashes, contact an experienced Personal Injury Attorney in California for a free consultation. At the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim, we do not charge upfront legal fees in these matters.

Credit: Photo by Midjourney