Rideshare services have become one of the greatest innovations of the 21st century. By affording people transport after a night out or to get around a town where they don't have their car, Uber, Lyft, and other apps have created incredibly beneficial services. However, Uber drivers are just as susceptible to getting involved in a car accident as anyone on the road. If you were in the back seat at the time of a crash, here are some things to keep in mind.

Contacting a Car Accident Lawyer

If you were involved in an Uber crash in Philadelphia, it's important to get medical intervention as quickly as possible. This could be from EMTs at the scene of the wreck or in a nearby emergency room. You can even go to an urgent care clinic for a quick survey of your condition. If you find that medical bills are piling up and no one is taking responsibility for the wreck, you may want to contact a Philadelphia Uber accident lawyer for a free consultation to weigh your legal options. This could get you the fair compensation you deserve after a car crash. 

Uber drivers are legally required to have insurance coverage behind the wheel. However, some medical expenses may not be covered by that insurance policy. Rideshare companies also have their own coverage, but may not be quick to dish out payment in a car accident case without proof of a serious accident. There will also be issues in filing claims with third parties, even if the blame is laid out in a police accident report.

On-Duty vs. Off-Duty Uber

It's important to remember that under personal injury law in Pennsylvania, you have up to two years after the date of the Uber accident to file legal action. The same is true for an Uber driver even if the customer is not in the back seat just yet. A Philadelphia Uber driver is considered "on-duty" once they accept the ride through the app until the passenger is dropped off at their destination. Uber's auto insurance should cover expenses related to injuries. However, if you were hit by an off-duty Uber driver, you may need to seek compensation through the driver’s personal insurance policy rather than through Uber.

Car accidents involving rideshare services can cause some snags as far as Pennsylvania personal injury litigation goes. That's where an experienced car accident attorney can help a client navigate these waters. Beyond determining who is at fault in a head-on or rear-end collision, you'll want to make sure that an accident victim gets the compensation they need. Since knowledge of these torts is ever-changing, it's in a victim's best interest, and that of their family members, to work with a lawyer who offers the best chance of determining who should be covering the costs of the Uber crash.

What compensation are you entitled to?

Every Uber accident is different, so a car accident lawyer may not be able to give you an estimate on the maximum compensation that you may receive after investigating the wreck. There are a variety of circumstances that can affect financial compensation ranging from the severity of the injuries in the auto accident to the age and health condition of the victim(s) at the time of the accident.

If a drunk driver is involved in an accident involving a fatal injury or as a result of this Uber accident, there could be more compensation possible from the multiple parties involved in this incident. However, it's important to make sure that regardless of the auto accident's severity, you get the payout that you're entitled to. The best way to make sure you get your expenses covered and the payment that you deserve is by starting with a free initial consultation and working with a lawyer who is invested in your case.