Uber Eats relies heavily on the gig economy and its three key components; independent contractors, consumers, and the company that connects the two parties. Uber Eats would be the connection between drivers and consumers. When a person is classified as an independent contractor, the company they work with is typically not liable for injuries, accidents, or other incidents drivers may find themselves in.
This means if a car accident occurs, Uber Eats would not be liable in most cases. However, there are still legal options available if you have been involved in an accident with an Uber Eats driver. You will need to contact a Philadelphia Uber Eats accident attorney to discuss your case and determine a course of action.
How is liability determined?
If you and an Uber Eats driver are involved in an accident, you may feel as though you have little to no options. The reality is that you do have options. Your first option, which may not be preferred, is to go through your own insurance company and have them negotiate with the Uber Eats driver’s insurance company.
Food delivery liability is slightly different than rideshare liability. This can make it even more complex as many drivers are often participating in both. A Philadelphia Uber Eats accident attorney will investigate all of the circumstances that led up to your accident to find the true liable party.
Can Uber be held liable for its drivers?
As we mentioned, drivers must carry their own insurance. Uber has afforded the option for liability insurance to their drivers. Drivers can only access this insurance if they maintain their own active insurance and are completing a delivery. While this seems like a great option, Uber Eats drivers are not considered employees of Uber and therefore Uber does not need to accept any liability or responsibility for the actions of their drivers.
Their insurance options are for cases where damages exceed the driver’s insurance and other niche circumstances. As many argue, Uber should be held liable for their driver’s actions but this is an uphill battle. In the meantime, discuss your case with a Philadelphia Uber Eats accident attorney to find the best legal option for you.
What is the Uber Eats Insurance policy?
When the Uber Eats insurance policy can be used, it has fairly comprehensive limits available to drivers and those who have been involved in an accident with an Uber driver. Liability insurance offered by Uber Eats has a limit of $1,000,000 and is seen as the standard amount among rideshare companies. If a driver is available but has not accepted a request they can also tap into the insurance policy for up to $25,000 in property damage and $50,000 to $100,000 per individual per accident. Uber is unique since many other food delivery companies do not offer these benefits.
Is compensation available?
Since liability is complex, who and how much compensation you can obtain after an accident can be just as complex. It will truly be determined on a case-by-case basis. Regardless of who caused the accident, there must be a liable party who should pay for your damages. While you may think it is harder or impossible to obtain compensation after an Uber Eats accident it is not, that is if you have a Philadelphia Uber Eats accident attorney handling your case.
Uber may try to offer you a settlement out front but this is often a quick way out for them. They assume that the injured party is not familiar with their policies and will take even a low amount. They would rather cover up accidents than take responsibility for them.
Call Kwartler Manus Today for a Consultation
There are various routes you can take if you are involved in an accident with an Uber Eats driver but you will need to seek legal representation immediately. Call the Philadelphia Uber Eats accident attorney from Kwartler Manus LLC at (267) 457-5570 to get started today.