Can You Sue Uber for a Car Accident if Someone Else Booked the Ride?

A person standing on a city street holding a phone and waiting for an Uber ride, symbolizing questions about suing Uber for a car accident.

It’s not unusual for a friend, co-worker or family member to book you an Uber ride. But if you’re in an Uber accident, you may be wondering if you can still sue since you weren’t the one to order the ride.

The short answer is yes, you can still sue Uber for a car accident even if your friend or spouse booked the ride.

How Liability Works in Uber Accidents

Uber doesn’t look at who requested the ride, but rather the simple fact that you were a passenger at the time of the accident. Uber’s $1.5 million liability policy kicks in when a passenger is injured in a crash while en route to their destination. But, do not expect Uber to offer any settlement without a fight. Uber is only concerned about protecting their bottom line, and profits over people and sales over safety tend to increase revenue.

When Can I Actually Sue?

As with any type of personal injury claim, lawsuits become possible when you can prove that the duty of care owed to you was breached, that the breach caused injury, and that there are damages to the injured person. Several government entities, including the State of New Jersey have pursued fines and lawsuits against Uber for misclassifying their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, in an attempt to insulate themselves in lawsuits and deny direct or vicarious liability. For example, Uber will argue that the driver is liable for a crash, not Uber.

So when can you actually sue Uber for an accident? The answer is usually when they are negligent. For example, if they didn’t properly vet an Uber driver with a history of DUIs, this could be considered negligence and give rise to a claim. However, there are also many cases where Uber could be held vicariously liable for the acts of Uber Drivers.

Uber accidents can also result in catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries.

For all injured Uber victims, economic and non-economic damages are compensable in New Jersey lawsuits against Uber, including pain and suffering, disability, impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, future medical care, and loss of income.

Evidence You Need if You Want to File a Claim Against Uber

Uber’s insurance liability coverage can be challenging to navigate alone. But that’s where evidence comes in.

Evidence helps tell the story of how the accident occurred and how it affected you. The more you have, the clearer your case for compensation becomes. After an Uber accident, collect the following evidence:

Medical records: Doctor notes, bloodwork results, surgical notes, and diagnostic tests (MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, etc) can highlight the extent of your injury, establish a timeline, and be used to calculate your damages.
Pay stubs and receipts: Proof of lost wages from the inability to work and any additional expenses to assist with household tasks you can no longer perform can highlight the impact the injury has had.
Progress notes: If you developed PTSD or depression from either the accident or no longer being able to enjoy the same quality of life that you once did and seek therapy, these progress notes can be used to support your claim for pain and suffering.

In addition to screenshots of your ride, your Uber driver’s details, photos/videos of your injuries and the crash scene, are critical pieces of evidence if you plan on filing a claim against Uber.

How a Lawyer Can Help You After an Uber Accident

Hiring a personal injury lawyer after an Uber accident offers many benefits. They can:

Investigate the details of your crash to determine where liability falls
Help you collect evidence, especially if there are delays in securing it
Hire accident reconstructionists to determine how the crash occurred
Calculate the full extent of your damages, including economic and non-economic
Explain your legal rights
Speak with Uber’s insurance carrier on your behalf
Take your case to court if Uber does not take your claim seriously

After a devastating Uber crash, the last thing you need right now is a bunch of phone calls back and forth with the insurance company. Right now, you need to focus on your health. Let an experienced Uber accident attorney like Justin Drazin help you with your claim.

Contact Drazin and Warshaw if You Were Injured in an Uber Accident

People order Ubers because they believe they will be a safe and convenient way of traveling. However, that’s not always the case and when an Uber accident occurs, it can leave you with expensive medical bills and confusion over your right to compensation. The good news is that you don’t have to face this battle alone.

Our personal injury attorney, Justin Drazin has the skill and experience to go up against Uber and fight for maximum compensation for his clients. He knows the tactics this company uses to mitigate liability and doesn’t stand for it. In fact, that’s why he created UberHurtMe.com, the nation’s leading resource for Uber accident victims. Fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation with Justin Drazin.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.