The ease of hailing an Uber ride has changed the way many of us commute, especially in larger cities and towns. While Uber taxis are usually a safe way of getting from A to B, they are sometimes involved in accidents. Importantly, if you’re injured in an Uber as a passenger, or injured because of an Uber driver as another road user, and negligence can be proven, you may be eligible to make an Uber accident claim for compensation.

This guide on Uber accident claims will explain when you could be compensated for injuries sustained in an accident involving an Uber vehicle. We’ll show you how the claims process works, when you might be eligible to claim compensation, and how much you could be paid.

Our team is here to provide free legal advice about your options and to assess your claim on a no-obligation basis. If we believe you have a valid claim against an Uber driver, we’ll ask one of our personal injury solicitors to get in touch. You won’t need to pay them any legal fees if your claim is accepted as they’ll seek damages for you on a No Win No Fee basis.

To learn more about being compensated for an accident involving an Uber please read on. Alternatively, you can call our team on 0800 6524 881 if you’d like to discuss your claim right away.

What Is Uber?

Uber is a ride-sharing service where users can request a ride via a mobile phone app. Uber may not be exactly the same as a private taxi company but its drivers do need to obtain a private hire license from the local authority before signing up to the app.

Importantly, each driver must use their own vehicle as an Uber taxi and a suitable motor insurance policy must be held. As Uber drivers may be independent contractors, it is likely any Uber accident claim will be made against the driver’s insurance policy rather than Uber directly.

If your case is taken on, your solicitor will clarify the situation to ensure the claim is filed correctly.

Am I Eligible To Make An Uber Accident Claim?

To win any type of road traffic accident claim against an Uber driver or another road user you believe was responsible, you’ll need to prove that:

• Their negligence caused an accident; and
• You were injured in that accident.

The reason a claim might be possible is that all road users including Uber drivers have a legal duty of care to protect others. This duty comes from the Road Traffic Act 1988.

What Types Of Accidents Involving An Uber Could I Be Compensated For?

Some examples of scenarios that could lead to an Uber accident claim include:

• If your Uber driver is driving dangerously and, as a passenger, you are injured.
• Where your Uber taxi is involved in an accident caused by another vehicle and you are injured.
• If you are injured after your own vehicle was hit by an Uber taxi.
• If you’re a passenger injured in a car accident caused by an Uber driver.
• If you’re a pedestrian injured in an accident by being hit by an Uber taxi while crossing the road, using a zebra crossing or walking on the pavement.

It is important to establish the cause of your Uber accident so that any claim is made against the correct party. If your Uber driver was to blame, then your solicitor will claim against their motor insurance policy. If another driver was to blame, the claim will be against their insurance instead.

Common Injuries To Taxi Passengers

As with any type of taxi accident, there are a variety of different injuries that could lead to an Uber accident claim. Essentially, any injury could be claimed for but some examples include:

As part of the claims process, you will need a medical assessment to ascertain the severity of your injuries. This can usually be booked locally with an independent specialist. During the meeting, your injuries will be examined and you’ll be asked to explain how you’ve been affected. A report will be written by the specialist to explain your prognosis. This report will be sent to both parties involved in your claim.

I Believe My Driver Caused An Accident Will I Be Compensated?

If you believe that your Uber driver caused an accident that left you injured, you will need to prove that they were negligent if you’re going to claim compensation against them. Some forms of driver negligence that might lead to a claim include:

• Speeding.
• Using a phone, satnav or radio while driving.
• Driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
• Failing to follow the rules of the Highway Code.
• Dangerous driving or road rage.

If you have been injured in an Uber accident and believe your driver was to blame, why not call today for a free consultation?

How Much Compensation For An Uber Accident Could I Claim?

Unfortunately, without knowing the accident and injury details it isn’t possible to provide an accurate calculation of how much compensation you could claim for an Uber accident. However, our solicitors always try to secure as much compensation as you’re entitled to so that you can get back on your feet as soon as possible.

Generally, compensation for a successful Uber accident claim could cover:

• Any physical suffering caused by your injuries.
• Psychological trauma (distress, anxiety etc).
• The impact your injuries had on your usual hobbies and activities.
• Lost earnings (and future loss of income too).
• Medical treatment costs.
• Care costs (the time somebody else spent helping you during your recovery).
• Travel expenses.
• Damaged personal property.
• Home adaptations to improve your quality of life for more serious injuries or disabilities.

To find out what compensation you could be entitled to claim for an accident with an Uber, please call our team today.

Uber Accident Claims Compensation Calculator

As discussed earlier, the amount of compensation awarded in a successful Uber accident claim will largely depend on the severity of your injuries. Guideline amounts provided by the Judicial College allow solicitors to calculate settlement figures once your injuries have been properly examined. Our compensation calculator uses the same figures so you can see what may be relevant to your own situation:

Please remember that these are simply guideline amounts that cannot be guaranteed. If your Uber accident claim is won, you could receive a higher or lower amount depending on how you’ve suffered.

What Should I Do If I’m Injured In An Accident Involving An Uber Taxi?

Being in a road accident can be a frightening experience even when you are not injured. If you are injured in a taxi accident, it can be even more frightening as you’re not in control. While you may not remember everything that you ought to be doing after an accident with or in an Uber, doing at least some of the things mentioned below can help strengthen your case if you decide to pursue an Uber accident claim for compensation:

• Dashcam footage. If your accident was captured by a dashcam, you should ask for any relevant footage to be forwarded to you. It’s best to do this at the time of the accident as it’s often deleted very quickly.
• Medical reports. You should seek proper treatment for your injuries at a hospital or minor injuries unit. Medical records and x-rays could be obtained later on if needed to help prove the extent of any injuries.
• Photographs. If you can, you should take pictures of the accident scene on your phone. The best time to do this is before any vehicles are moved.
• Witness information. You should ask anybody who saw what happened for their contact details. If necessary, your solicitor could contact them to provide a statement of their version of events.
• Details of others involved in the Uber accident. You should make sure to take contact details from the Uber driver as well as information about their vehicle and insurance policy.
• Financial records. If your injuries have meant that you’ve been left out of pocket, you should forward your solicitor wage slips, receipts or bank statements to help prove your losses.

We can review any evidence you’ve obtained as part of your free consultation so it will help to have it to hand when you call if you can.

Time Limits For Uber Accident Claims In The UK

In the UK, the time limit for making an Uber accident claim for personal injury is 3-years. For most road traffic accidents, the limitation period will begin on the date of the accident. If your child was injured in an Uber accident, the time limit doesn’t start until their 18^th birthday unless you follow the litigation friend process and claim on their behalf at any point before that date.

We believe that it’s always better to begin an injury claim as early as possible. This will usually allow enough time for evidence and medical reports to be obtained. It could also mean that your injuries can be treated at a private hospital if the defendant’s insurance company agrees to make an interim payment before the claim is finalised.

Starting The Uber Accident Claims Process

Calling our free advice centre on 0800 6524 881 is the quickest way to start the Uber accident claims process. One of our friendly advisors will explain your options after reviewing your claim in detail with you.

If you have a fair chance of being compensated, you’ll be referred to one of our personal injury solicitors. To reduce your financial risks, they’ll manage your claim on a No Win No Fee basis so you will only need to pay legal fees if compensation is awarded.

Our team are available via live chat if you have any further questions on making an Uber accident claim.