Uber Accidents in Philadelphia, PA

The “gig economy” is here to stay and it provides individuals in Philadelphia an unparalleled opportunity to earn money on a flexible schedule. One such popular opportunity is by driving for a rideshare company, such as Uber.

But this huge growth in ridesharing has led to some growing pains, especially when accidents happen. 

Uber drivers are clearly engaged in a commercial activity. However, the drivers aren’t usually treated like commercial drivers under the law. This has led to situations where victims of car accidents involving Uber drivers are unable to obtain proper compensation for their injuries and vehicular damage. 

To help fix this problem, cities, states and rideshare companies have been making some changes to protect consumers and other drivers on the road. But new policies and laws aren’t always enough. And that’s where the Marrone Law Firm, LLC comes in.

Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of the motor vehicle code, insurance laws and court system to help victims of Uber accidents that occur in Philadelphia, PA obtain the compensation they are entitled to.

What Makes an Uber Accident in Philadelphia a Big Deal?

Getting involved in a car accident with an Uber driver can cause some extra headaches for two major reasons.

First, the Uber driver will likely be considered an independent contractor and not an employee. Why does this matter? It matters because it means it will be much more difficult to sue Uber.

In most commercial driving accidents, if the commercial driver caused the accident, the victims can usually sue not just the driver, but the driver’s employer. In Uber accidents, that option usually isn’t available.

So any compensation a victim seeks for injuries or property damage will have to come from the Uber driver. But most Uber drivers don’t have much money. After all, that’s why they’re driving for Uber.

Luckily, drivers have car insurance policies that will compensate others for the fault of the driver. Unfortunately, an Uber driver’s personal car insurance policy may not provide any coverage in an Uber accident. This is the second major complication when involved in an Uber accident.

Philadelphia, PA Uber Rideshare Car Insurance Coverage

Most people who drive for Uber are not professional drivers and use their personal vehicles for taking passengers for a fee. This means they will rely on their personal car insurance policy for liability coverage if they get into an accident.

The problem is that most personal car insurance policies will explicitly deny any sort of coverage when the policyholder is engaged in any commercial activity. And as you might imagine, driving for Uber is a commercial activity as far as car insurance companies are concerned.

Over the last few years, states have updated their car insurance requirement laws. Now, rideshare companies like Uber must provide a minimum level of coverage to protect passengers and other drivers on the road. Pennsylvania is one of these states.

To comply with Pennsylvania car insurance requirements, Uber will provide certain car insurance coverage. The exact type and amount will depend on what stage of driving the Uber driver is in.

When the driver is offline and his or her Uber app is off, they will rely on their personal car insurance policy for coverage. At this time, they are not considered as driving for Uber.

When the driver has turned the Uber app on, but doesn’t have a passenger or is not on the way to pick one up, the following liability coverage will apply:

• At least $25,000 for property damage per accident
• At least $50,000 for death and bodily  injury per person
• At least $100,000 for death and bodily injury per accident

When the Uber driver is en route to pick up a passenger or is in the process of transporting a passenger, the following coverage will apply:

• At least $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
• Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage (subject to a deductible)

What You Should Do If You Get Into an Uber Accident in Philadelphia, PA

If you are involved in a car accident with an Uber driver, you should treat the accident like any other. This means checking for injuries and calling 9-1-1 if necessary. It also means exchanging information with other drivers involved in the accident and gathering evidence.

If you are involved in a car accident as an Uber driver, then you follow the same steps as if you were a non-Uber driver. However, one extra thing you will need to do is notify Uber that you were involved in an accident.

Were You Involved in a Philadelphia, PA Uber Accident?

Getting into a car accident can be a confusing time. Add the fact that there’s a rideshare company involved such as Uber, then things get a little bit more complex.

To help you with this process, consider hiring an attorney, such as one from the Marrone Law Firm, LLC.  You can reach us at 215-709-7360 or send us a message through our website. 

Either way, one of our knowledgeable Uber accident attorneys will get in touch with you and set up a time for a free consultation. From there, we can answer any questions you may have. We can also help you figure out how to navigate the complex process of getting compensation for any injuries or property damage you may have suffered.

Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia, PA Uber Accidents