How to Sue Uber Eats After an Accident

Let a skilled Chicago lawyer sort out your Uber accident insurance claim

Uber Eats is hugely popular in Chicago. Unfortunately, more delivery drivers on the road also means a higher risk of car accidents. If you were involved in an Uber Eats-related crash (whether as a delivery driver or as someone hit by a delivery driver) you may be wondering about your rights. Can you sue Uber Eats for your injuries? How do Uber Eats claims and insurance coverage work?

Our Chicago lawyers explain how to sue Uber Eats after a collision, what accident insurance Uber provides, and how to pursue an Uber Eats settlement for your damages. We also discuss why working with an experienced attorney helps maximize your compensation.

What happens if you get in an accident while driving for Uber Eats?

Traffic accidents don’t discriminate. They happen to everyone, including careful drivers or bicyclists delivering food. So, what happens if you’re hurt in a crash involving Uber Eats? The moments after a collision are critical for your safety and for any future claim. So, be sure to follow these steps when pursuing a claim:

Call 911 for police and medical help: Check for injuries and call emergency services if you or anyone else suffers a serious injury. You should also let the police examine the crash scene and get a detailed police report.
Exchange information: Get the name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance details of the other driver(s). If you were the delivery driver, let others know you were working for Uber Eats and provide your info as well.
Document the crash scene: Take photos of vehicle damage, the overall scene, skid marks, and any visible injuries. If you were on a bicycle food delivery, photograph your bike and gear too. These can serve as evidence later.
Report the accident to Uber Eats: Use the Uber app or Uber support to report the crash. Notify Uber that a traffic accident occurred during a delivery. They can guide you in the next steps and document the incident on their end.

After handling the immediate aftermath, make sure you seek medical attention for any injuries. Even if you feel okay, get a check-up, as some injuries (such as whiplash or internal injuries) don’t produce symptoms right away. Then, contact a Chicago Uber Eats accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Keep copies of the police report and all crash-related information. This will be useful when you file an insurance claim. Now the question becomes: whose insurance will cover the damages, and what is the process for getting compensated?

Does Uber Eats cover traffic accidents?

A common question after a delivery crash is, “Does Uber Eats cover accidents?“ In other words, is there insurance provided by Uber to pay for the damages? The short answer is yes; Uber Eats has an insurance policy, but coverage applies only in certain scenarios. Here’s what Uber Eats accident insurance coverage looks like:

Offline (app off)

Uber offers no coverage in this situation. The delivery driver’s personal auto insurance would have to cover any collision that occurs.

Online (waiting for an order)

Limited liability coverage from Uber (for example, about $50,000 per person injured, $100,000 per accident) kicks in. This applies if the driver is logged in and available but has not picked up an order yet.

On a delivery trip

This includes $1 million liability coverage for any third-party injuries or damage if a delivery driver is at fault (this policy also provides coverage if the delivery driver is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver), plus contingent collision coverage for the driver’s vehicle if the driver carries personal collision insurance.

Bicycle or foot deliveries

For couriers on bicycle or foot, Uber’s auto policy doesn’t apply. If you’re a bicycle delivery courier, you must rely on the at-fault party’s insurance or other available coverage for any injuries or damage.

Can you sue Uber Eats for an accident?

It’s possible to sue Uber Eats for a crash, but the reality is that their drivers are independent contractors, not direct employees. This means Uber corporate tries to distance itself from liability. In most cases, you won’t be suing Uber Eats itself. Instead, you will be pursuing an insurance claim to get compensated.

Here’s how it typically works: if an Uber Eats driver caused the crash and you were injured (for example, you were a pedestrian or another motorist hit by the delivery driver), you would file a claim against that driver’s insurance and Uber’s insurance. Usually, that claim gets resolved through a settlement negotiation with the insurance adjusters.

However, there are scenarios where a lawsuit may come into play:

If the insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement or dispute liability, filing a personal injury lawsuit might be necessary to push for proper compensation.
In a lawsuit, typically, the at-fault delivery driver is named as the defendant. Uber itself might only be named in rare cases (for example, if there’s evidence Uber was directly negligent in some way or if there’s a dispute about coverage).
If you were the Uber Eats driver injured by someone else’s negligence (say another driver hit you), you might end up suing that at-fault driver if their insurance doesn’t fully cover your injuries.

While the idea of an Uber Eats lawsuit against the company sounds intimidating, most claims are handled through insurance without directly dragging Uber into court. The key is to file your claim correctly and be prepared to take legal action if the insurance process doesn’t result in a fair outcome. This is where having a Chicago lawyer comes in.

What compensation can I get from an Uber Eats accident settlement?

Whether through an insurance claim or a lawsuit, the goal is to recover compensation for the losses you suffered in the crash. So, what compensation can you get from an Uber Eats accident settlement?

In personal injury law, you are entitled to seek damages that will make you “whole” again as much as possible. After an Uber Eats crash, common damages in a claim include:

Medical bills: These include all costs for hospital visits, doctor appointments, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care related to your injuries.
Lost wages: You’re eligible for income you lost because you couldn’t work during recovery, as well as lost future earning capacity if your injuries have long-term effects on your ability to work.
Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you have experienced due to the accident. This accounts for the non-economic impact on your life.
Property damage: You might get reimbursed for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle or bicycle that was damaged in the crash, as well as other personal property (for example, a phone or equipment).

Every case is unique. A minor fender-bender with small medical bills will settle for much less than a serious crash with significant injuries. The value of an Uber Eats accident claim will depend on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of who was at fault, and the insurance policy limits available. That’s why you should never underestimate your claim.

Before accepting any Uber Eats settlement claim from an insurance company, make sure it covers all of your current and future needs. Once you settle, you generally can’t go back for more. This is another reason why consulting with a lawyer helps you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Do I need a lawyer after an Uber Eats accident in Chicago?

Handling a delivery accident claim comes with risks. Uber Eats may attempt to cover up wrongdoing, and insurance companies will likely use every trick up their sleeve to keep your compensation as low as possible. Having a knowledgeable Chicago Uber Eats accident lawyer on your side can make a huge difference in the outcome.

An experienced attorney at Keating Law Offices will gather evidence to prove who was at fault, identify all insurance policies that might cover your crash, and deal with the adjusters while you focus on recovery.

We’ll handle your claim from start to finish at no upfront cost. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, and we only get paid if we recover money for you. If you or a loved one was injured in an Uber Eats accident, don’t go it alone. Contact us online or call our Chicago law offices for a free consultation.

“The insurance company tried to claim I was 50% at fault – the attorneys at KLO continued to fight until the insurance company finally acknowledged the driver lied about what happened and accepted full responsibility for my injuries and damages. I was glad to have KLO on my side!” – J.M., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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