An Uber accident can turn your whole life upside down. It's especially difficult to deal with because you weren't the one driving. So, you may not know what steps to take to move forward in recovering damages. You might wonder if the Uber driver has insurance that covers you or if Uber's insurance will cover your damages.
A Houston Uber accident lawyer can guide you in moving forward to obtain the compensation you deserve. There is a range of damages you can receive when getting into an Uber accident. You will understand the process as you read on.
Economic Damages Covered in a Houston Uber Accident
Damages are the result of the injuries you've incurred that may be costly or painful to you. They may include a wide range of items. This section will address only the economic losses. Economic losses involve the costs you will incur because of the accident. These affect you from a financial standpoint. You may already be getting bills in the mail because of the accident.
The bills are likely from doctors' offices, hospitals, physical rehab, and so on. These can include co-pays, deductibles, or full medical costs if you don't have health insurance. In addition, if your accident is serious, you may not be able to work for a period. This doesn't add costs, but it takes away your income, which is essentially the same thing.
When you don't have a paycheck coming in on a regular basis, you may need to rely on credit or other forms of income to get you through. You may have to dip into your savings. These add to your economic damages. All these losses and bills are part of the economic relief our lawyer will attempt to collect for you.
Non-Economic Damages in a Harris County Uber Accident
The other category of damages you'll have are called non-economic damages. These refer to the losses that are not monetary but still cost you. They are the loss of quality of life. You're probably familiar with the term “pain and suffering.” This is exactly what non-economic damages are. Your lawyer will assist you with filing a claim for non-economic damages that include things like the following:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of happiness
- Loss of pleasure
- Loss of the ability to do certain things (even if only for a time)
- Loss of consortium
Since these losses are less straightforward in terms of their value, an attorney will help calculate how much it may be worth — then they will negotiate from there. There are two types of calculations they use:
Multiplier method: This consists of calculating the economic damages first, then multiplying that number by a multiplier (between 1.5 — 5.) The multiplier chosen will reflect the severity of the pain and suffering.
Per diem method: This method involves estimating the number of days you may be in pain and multiplying it by the average amount you earn per day. Our lawyer will advise about which method is the best for you.
Do Uber Drivers Have Insurance Coverage?
Uber drivers should have personal insurance and the insurance provided by the Uber organization. The driver's personal coverage may help cover some things but may not be adequate for personal injuries of passengers.
That's because most personal policies have a clause that won't provide coverage if the driver was driving for income, such as for a rideshare app. Generally, if the Uber driver is actively working when they get into an accident, Uber's insurance will cover damages up to a certain amount. If the driver was not working when the accident happened, their personal auto insurance, if they have it, will cover damages.
A Houston Uber accident lawyer from our firm can help sort out the details for you and negotiate a fair settlement with the appropriate insurance company.
Texas's Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
Each state has their own statute of limitations. This gives plaintiffs a timeframe to file a lawsuit if necessary. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003 indicates that the statute of limitations is up to two years from the time of the accident.
Steps to Take After an Uber Accident
An Uber accident can leave you feeling drained and stressed. However, you can take these steps to help facilitate a better outcome.
Note What You Remember From the Accident and How You Feel
Write down what you remember about the accident while you have it clearly in your mind. Be sure to note any pain or injuries you have, too.
Take Pictures and/or Videos
You may take pictures and/or videos of damages and injuries if you feel it will help your case.
Obtain a Police Report
When the police report is taken, feel free to add your viewpoint to the report since you were a passenger and witness. Then, get a copy of the report when it's complete to help your case.
Don't Forget to See a Doctor
Get a medical check-up right away. Don't delay even if you feel okay. You could have internal injuries that aren't evident to you.
Consult With Our Firm
A Houston Uber accident lawyer from our firm is someone you can talk to that can assess your case and provide feedback about your chances.
Seek Our Houston Uber Accident Lawyer's Help
Get a free case evaluation now at Dolman Law Group. A team member will discuss your options and how you can recover damages. When working with the dedicated legal team at Dolman Law Group, you won't have to worry about paying any fees until the case is won. Contact the office now.
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6330 Gulf Fwy Suite 110
Houston, TX 77023
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