What Should You Do If You’re Injured in an Uber Accident While on the Way to the Airport?

A plane taking off from a runway, symbolizing travel plans disrupted after being injured in an Uber accident on the way to the airport.

Whether you’re headed to Newark Liberty International Airport for vacation or Philadelphia International Airport for a business meeting across state lines, you expect your ride to be safe. After all, it’s what Uber and rideshare companies like them advertise. Unfortunately, Uber accidents are a common occurrence in New Jersey and throughout the county. If you’re injured in an Uber accident while on the way to catch your flight, it’s much more than a delay you have in store; it’s serious injuries, mounting medical bills and questions of liability.

The good news is that you have legal rights and options. With the right steps and a personal injury lawyer to advocate for you, you can protect your health, gather critical evidence and get the compensation you need as you recover.

How Uber Accidents Differ From Traditional Car Crashes

In terms of how these types of accidents occur, there’s not much difference. Like all motor vehicle accidents, Uber accidents are caused by drunk and distracted driving, faulty mechanics, and bad weather. Where they differ, however, is how they’re handled.

While no insurance company has your best interests at heart, big corporations like Uber are determined to pay out as little money as possible for passengers that are injured. This means delaying, and in some cases, outright denying your claim by avoiding liability. Though Uber offers $1.5 million in insurance coverage, the policy only applies if the Uber driver is at fault.

Furthermore, even with evidence, Uber may still try to argue that the Uber driver violated one of their policies and therefore, are not responsible to cover your damages.

Bottom line: Dealing with insurance is tricky enough after a regular accident but Uber’s insurance policy, including when it applies, is confusing to navigate without legal help. If you’re injured in an Uber accident on the way to the airport, taking the following steps can protect your rights and help your claim.

Step 1: Get Medical Help

Your health is paramount, especially after an Uber accident where adrenaline may have masked the severity of your injuries. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, soft tissue injuries and spinal cord damage are all common after Uber accidents.

While it’s recommended to seek medical care from the paramedics that arrive on scene, you should still go to the hospital. Doing so not only ensures your well-being, but your medical records will serve as vital evidence in your personal injury claim.

Step 2: Document the Accident Scene

In addition to seeking medical care, always do your best to document the scene. This includes:

Calling law enforcement so they can create a police report
Taking pictures and videos of your injuries, damage to the vehicle, and surrounding details such as the weather conditions, broken stop lights, missing road signs, or nearby construction.
Writing down the name of your Uber driver, their license plate number and insurance information, as well as the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Jotting down the name or taking photos of nearby businesses, who may have surveillance footage that can be used to establish liability.
Taking a screenshot of your Uber ride details, including timestamps.

All of this evidence helps create a picture of how the Uber accident occurred, which is necessary for establishing liability and pursuing compensation.

Step 3: Report the Accident

Reporting the Uber accident to law enforcement is only the first step. You’ll also need to report it to Uber and your own insurance carrier. While there is no one-size-fits-all timeline for reporting, you should do it as soon as possible. Any lags in reporting, even if they were the result of a severe injury, gives insurance companies a chance to deny your claim.

An attorney experienced with Uber accidents can speak to these insurance carriers on your behalf. In fact, insurance companies tend to issue higher payouts when speaking directly to a lawyer because they want to avoid going to court. For a company like Uber, they will want to downplay any bad publicity.

Step 4: Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

This is listed as Step 4, but remember, you can do this at any point in the process. When looking to hire a lawyer, be mindful to choose one that has direct experience dealing with Uber and other rideshare companies. Uber is a multi-billion dollar company and they will spare no expense to keep their bottom line, even if that means leaving you to deal with a severe injury alone.

By hiring an attorney who deals with Uber on a regular basis, such as Justin Drazin, you’re not only getting legal prowess, but someone who isn’t afraid to go head-to-head. Companies like Uber have gotten away with diminished payouts for far too long and a skilled lawyer knows how to hold them accountable. No one should be dealing with confusing insurance policies and dishonest tactics when they are trying to heal. An attorney handles all of that for you.

Contact Drazin and Warshaw Today if You Were Injured in an Uber Accident on the Way to the Airport

If what started out as an exciting trip to the airport ended in medical bills, confusion and severe injuries, you don’t have to face this road ahead alone. At Drazin and Warshaw, we are ready to go against Uber and get you the money you’re owed. Justin Drazin has been at the forefront of this fight for accountability and will do whatever it takes to hold Uber accountable for the injuries you sustained. That’s why he founded UberHurtMe.com, the nation’s leading resource for people injured in Uber accidents.

Call 732-333-8141 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation with Justin Drazin today. The consultation is free and also the first step in getting the compensation you need.

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.