Houston Uber Accident Lawyer: What You Need to Know

Accidents can happen anywhere, to anyone, and due to anything. This is especially true on Houston highways in Texas, which are known for their high traffic. In case you or your loved ones are hit by an Uber driver, the wisest step you can take is to hire a Houston Uber accident lawyer. Do you want to know more? Read on, then! 

The Development of Uber and Involvement with Accidents

Undeniably, with the advent of smartphones in this day and age, ride-sharing apps like Uber have eliminated the need to make phone calls for taxis. Indeed, you just need to tap on your app to get a ride in minutes at a fraction of the cost. This kind of technology is a life-saver for anyone who has no private vehicles. 

Furthermore, the Uber app is easy to use and an easy way to get a cheap ride across town. Uber has many different types of vehicles available to get you to your destination with just a tap on your smartphone. Uber classifies its vehicles into UberX, Uber XL, UberSELECT, UberBLACK, UberSUV, and also UberLUX. 

Regardless of the class and type of vehicle you choose, you can enjoy the ride. But what if you are involved and seriously injured in an accident as a passenger of an Uber vehicle or in an accident caused by an Uber driver? If this ever happens, you will absolutely need the help of a Houston Uber accident lawyer.

Uber Accident Complexities

Essentially, one thing that complicates Uber accidents is the insurance coverage available for personal injury damages. There are some legal questions regarding which insurance policies apply to Uber drivers. On the other hand, the Uber company considers each of its drivers as contractual partners.

Due to this, the general stance of Uber after an accident caused by its drivers is simply that the company is not responsible for the accident. However, the case would be different if the driver was booked at the time of the accident. In this case, the Uber driver will be covered by a commercial insurance policy.

Nevertheless, Uber obliges each of its drivers to have a commercial policy that may or may not apply in an accident. In other words, an accident caused by an Uber driver may be covered by one of three policies. These policies are the driver’s auto policy, Uber commercial policy, and the passenger’s car insurance policy.

What is the Uber Driver’s Duty of Care?

Uber drivers are public servants who under applicable law must take great care, and be skillful, and diligent in transporting passengers safely from one destination to another. This is something important to know because a jury will presume that the duty of care of an Uber driver is a high duty of care.

After all, the meaning of this duty of care is defined as the degree of care that a highly cautious, competent, and prudent person would use in the same or similar situations. It is a higher degree of care that the average driver would have to apply only ordinary care.

A higher standard of care should be requested promptly by lawyers who seek to enforce that standard on Uber drivers. Therefore, a failure to promptly request the standard and accompanying instructions will result in a waiver of the higher standard.

Given the high level of care that an Uber driver must have. This became the reason why you must have a Houston Uber accident lawyer. These experienced and knowledgeable individuals will handle your case and ensure you obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Do I Need a Houston Uber Accident Lawyer?

Besides the complexity of Uber accidents that require you to hire a Houston lawyer to handle your case, there is another reason you should know. Generally, an ordinary lawyer does not understand Texas laws regarding various lawsuits. On the other hand, a Houston Uber accident lawyer understands them thoroughly.

For those unfamiliar, current Texas law requires every rideshare company to carry a $1 million policy. In this case, the insurance company will be at a huge disadvantage. As such, they will do whatever it takes to deny your claim for an accident you had due to the Uber driver’s negligence.

Moreover, the insurance company will not pay a claim of $1 million. Why? Because they are not in the business of paying claims. They want to deny as many claims as possible in the hope that you will back out. For this reason, it is important to have a lawyer for an Uber accident on your side to fight the insurance company.

What Compensation I’ll Receive from Hiring a Houston Uber Accident Lawyer?

By the time the responsible parties in the accident have been identified, your Houston Uber accident lawyer can handle your compensation claim. Based on the exact nature of your case, an Uber accident lawyer in the Houston area can help you recover eligible compensation.

Usually, the eligible compensation is divided into three types depending on the type of damages. Below are the explanations.

a. Economic Damages

These are losses that affect your financial well-being, making them quantifiable. These economic compensations usually include emergency room costs, lost wages, medical bills and hospitalization, and property damage.

More than that, a Uber accident’s lawyer will also evaluate your full economic losses, including current and past wages and treatment costs. It is intended to ensure that you obtain all the economic compensation that you are rightfully entitled to.

b. Non-Economic Losses

While non-economic losses are often harder to quantify, they can take a huge burden off you and your family. In case the injuries sustained in the accident have left you in immense pain and have made you incapable of doing anything. You and your Houston Uber accident lawyer can file for non-economic damages.

c. Punitive Damages

While not all injuries require you to sue for punitive damages, an Uber accident lawyer in Houston may advise you to file a lawsuit. This lawsuit can be brought if there is malicious intent or negligence on the part of the offending party.

Nonetheless, these kinds of lawsuits normally require extensive investigation and evidence. For that reason, you need to go with a trusted Uber accident lawyer in Houston.

The Importance of Having a Houston Uber Accident Lawyer

That’s a brief discussion about the Houston Uber accident. After all, since filing a claim against a rideshare company like Uber is rather difficult in Houston, hiring a lawyer to facilitate your compensation claim is the wisest step you can take. 

You can be relieved because the legal team is steady to defend you during the court. How’s that? So, have you understood the importance of having a Houston Uber accident lawyer?