Most Kentucky residents have used ridesharing services at least once, even those who have a car. Regardless of whether you hailed a car from your mobile phone because your vehicle is in the shop or you had one too many alcoholic beverages to drink – or you simply do not have your own car – have you ever wondered who pays for your personal injury after an Uber accident in Kentucky? Accidents while riding in an Uber are more common than you think. Who will compensate you for your Uber crash injury if the car accident was the rideshare driver or the other driver’s fault? Should you – the passenger – pay for your medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages on your own? Find out about what to do if you sustained injuries in an Uber accident.
Can a Passenger Obtain Compensation for an Uber Accident Injury in Kentucky?
Kentucky is a no-fault state in regards to auto insurance and bodily injury claims. No-fault insurance is also associated with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. In Kentucky, PIP benefits cover up to $10,000 in medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses following a vehicle crash. If you an injured passenger in an Uber accident, you need to determine which PIP benefits will apply, the Uber driver’s or your own insurance. Unless your Uber driver opted out of the no-fault system, his or her insurance would provide PIP benefits to cover your personal injury expenses. In addition to obtaining compensation through PIP coverage, you may be able to tap into the Uber driver’s personal policy, which must carry the minimum required liability insurance in a single accident:
- $25,000 for injuries per person
- $50,000 total for all injuries
- $10,000 for property damage
Uber’s Insurance Coverage in Kentucky
Almost all personal automobile insurance policies in Kentucky exclude commercial activity from coverage. Driving for Uber or another ride-hailing company is considered a commercial activity. However, Uber offers insurance to its ridesharing drivers, though the company has strict requirements for when the coverage kicks in, even if an Uber driver was involved in a crash with a passenger in Kentucky. Even though Uber’s insurance coverage is pretty generous, there are limitations as to when it applies. In order to understand whether Uber’s insurance policy applies, you must determine the period in which your crash occurred:
- Period 1, when the Uber driver is not using the company app and is off-duty. If your accident occurred in this period, the driver’s personal insurance might cover the collision.
- Period 2, when the Uber driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride. In this period, Uber’s reduced contingent insurance policy provides up to $50,000 per person, $100,000 per occurrence if the driver is uninsured, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Period 3, when the Uber driver accepts a ride and passengers are inside the vehicle. In this case, Uber’s $1 million insurance policy will cover any damages if your driver is at fault or is uninsured/underinsured.
Seek legal advice if you were in an Uber wreck in Lexington or other parts of Kentucky. Let our Kentucky car accident attorney determine which insurance policy will cover your personal injury. Contact Roberts Law Office for a case evaluation. Call at (859) 231-0202.