This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by JR Krebs following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. JR Krebs, the Founding Partner, has years of legal experience as a bankruptcy attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
Uber accidents in Huntsville can leave you hurt and confused about what to do next. A Huntsville Uber accident lawyer helps people who get injured while using rideshare services. These accidents can happen to passengers, other drivers, or even pedestrians.
The time after an accident is often filled with doctor visits, car repairs, and talks with insurance companies. You might miss work and struggle to pay your bills. The stress can make recovery even harder. Our blog includes helpful guidance for dealing with the aftermath of an accident, from insurance issues to medical care.
Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers helps people who have been hurt in Uber accidents in Huntsville. We explain your rights and guide you through each step of the legal process.
An Uber accident claim is a request for money to pay for your injuries and losses after a crash involving an Uber vehicle. These claims can be filed against Uber's insurance company, the driver's personal insurance, or both. The amount of coverage depends on whether the driver was waiting for a ride, going to pick up a passenger, or had a passenger in the car.
Alabama follows a strict rule called contributory negligence that can affect your Uber accident claim in Huntsville. This rule means if you were even 1% at fault for the accident, you might not get any money. Alabama's rideshare laws also set rules about insurance coverage and how Uber must operate in cities like Huntsville.
Taking the right steps after an Uber accident in Huntsville can protect your health and legal rights.
Always call 911 after an Uber accident, even if injuries seem minor. Police will create an official accident report that serves as important evidence for your claim. Medical professionals can identify injuries that may not be obvious right away, like concussions or internal injuries.
Use your phone to take clear pictures of all vehicles involved, including damage and license plates. Photos of the accident scene, including road conditions, traffic signs, and skid marks help show what happened. These images provide valuable evidence that might disappear once vehicles are moved.
Get names, phone numbers, and addresses from everyone involved in the accident. Write down the Uber driver's name and their insurance information, as well as the information of any other drivers. Ask witnesses for their contact details so they can help support your version of events later.
Use the Uber app's Trip Issues feature to report the accident to the company. Uber has a special reporting system for accidents, which starts their insurance claim process. Also contact your own auto insurance company to inform them about the accident, even if you were a passenger.
A lawyer who handles Uber accidents in Huntsville can explain Alabama's strict contributory negligence rules. They know how to work with Uber's insurance policies, which change depending on whether the driver was waiting for a ride, going to pick someone up, or carrying passengers. An attorney helps gather the right evidence to build a strong case for your compensation.
Uber's insurance coverage in Alabama works differently based on what the driver was doing when the accident happened. When drivers are offline or not using the app, only their personal auto insurance applies to any accidents. Once drivers turn on the app and wait for ride requests, Uber provides limited coverage of 450,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage.
The coverage increases significantly when drivers accept a ride request or have passengers in the car. During these times, Uber offers increased liability coverage through its insurance policy to help protect those involved in an accident. Many personal auto insurance policies don't cover commercial activities like ridesharing, creating a potential coverage gap for drivers. This is why Uber drivers in Alabama often purchase special rideshare insurance to fill this gap and protect themselves fully.
This means if you had any role in causing the accident—even just 1%—you might not get any money for your injuries. The court looks at all the facts to decide if you did anything wrong, like distracting the driver or not wearing a seatbelt.
This rule makes Uber accident cases in Huntsville very tricky compared to other states. Insurance companies often try to find ways you might have contributed to the accident to avoid paying you. Even small actions like checking your phone during the ride or asking the driver to hurry could be used against your claim.
After an Uber accident in Huntsville, you may receive money for different types of losses and harm you experienced.
Medical expenses: This includes money for hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care you might need. Your medical bills can add up quickly, from the ambulance ride to ongoing rehabilitation sessions.
Lost wages: When injuries keep you from working, you can ask for the income you missed during your recovery time. This also covers money you might lose in the future if your injuries affect your ability to work or force you to take a lower-paying job.
Pain and suffering: This pays you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. The money helps make up for your discomfort, anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment in daily activities that resulted from your injuries.
Property damage: If your personal items were damaged in the Uber accident, you can request payment to repair or replace them. This might include your phone, laptop, clothing, or other belongings you had with you during the ride.
Permanent disability or disfigurement: Serious accidents sometimes cause lasting disabilities or visible scars. When injuries permanently change your life or appearance, you can seek additional compensation for these long-term effects.
The money from these damages helps restore what you lost because of someone else's careless driving.
Alabama law gives you two years from the date of your Uber accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit, called the statute of limitations, applies to all types of Uber accident claims whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian. Once this two-year deadline passes, courts will likely dismiss your case, leaving you unable to recover any money for your injuries.
Witness memories fade, accident scenes change, and electronic records from the Uber app might become harder to obtain as months pass. Early legal help also gives your attorney more time to investigate your case, talk with insurance companies, and prepare the strongest possible claim before the filing deadline approaches.
Insurance companies often use several tactics to avoid paying full compensation after an Uber accident in Huntsville.
Denying liability: Insurance companies may claim their driver wasn't at fault for the accident. They might argue that road conditions, another driver, or even you caused the crash. They sometimes say the Uber driver wasn't "on the clock" when the accident happened, trying to avoid the higher insurance coverage that applies when drivers are actively working.
Alleging contributory negligence: Insurance companies look for ways to show you shared blame for the accident. In Alabama, if you're found even 1% at fault, you might get nothing. They may suggest you distracted the driver, didn't wear a seatbelt, or gave bad directions. This defense works well for insurers in Alabama because of our strict fault rules.
Downplaying injury severity: Insurance adjusters often claim your injuries aren't as bad as you say or were caused by something else. They might point to old medical records showing similar problems before the accident. Some ask you to give a recorded statement right after the accident, hoping you'll say you feel "fine" before you've had proper medical care.
Delaying the claim process: Insurance companies sometimes drag out claims hoping you'll get tired of waiting and accept a low offer. They may repeatedly ask for more paperwork or medical records. These delays can be frustrating when you have bills piling up and need money for treatment.
Making quick, low settlement offers: Soon after your accident, the insurance company might offer what seems like a fair amount of money. These early offers usually don't cover all your expenses, especially future medical care or lost income. Once you accept an offer, you can't ask for more money later, even if your injuries get worse.
A lawyer familiar with Huntsville Uber accidents knows these defense tactics and how to counter them with strong evidence and legal arguments.
Suing Uber for accidents that happen when the driver is off the app is very difficult. When drivers are not logged in, they are not working for Uber, so only their personal car insurance applies. Your lawyer will help you file a claim against the driver's personal insurance instead of Uber's company policy.
Uber insurance coverage depends on what the driver was doing when the accident happened. The $1 million policy only applies when drivers are actively picking up or carrying passengers. This coverage might not be enough for very serious injuries that require long-term care or cause permanent disability.
The time it takes to resolve an Uber accident settlement can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate. Simple cases with clear fault might settle faster, while complex cases involving serious injuries take longer. The time frame also depends on how quickly you get medical treatment and whether the insurance company fights the claim.
Yes, you can file a lawsuit if your Uber driver caused the accident that injured you. As a passenger, you don't have to worry about Alabama's strict contributory negligence rule since you weren't driving. Your case will involve Uber's insurance company, which provides coverage when drivers are actively working.
When another driver crashes into your Uber, you can file claims against both that driver's insurance and Uber's uninsured/underinsured coverage. Uber's policy helps when the other driver doesn't have enough insurance to pay for your injuries. Your lawyer will handle filing claims with both insurance companies to maximize your compensation.
Even for seemingly minor Uber accidents, talking with a lawyer helps protect your rights. Some injuries like whiplash or concussions might not show symptoms right away but can cause problems later. A lawyer familiar with rideshare accidents understands the special insurance rules that apply and can spot issues you might miss on your own.
After an Uber accident, save a screenshot of your ride receipt from the app showing the driver's name and trip details. Take pictures of all vehicles involved and get contact information from witnesses and other drivers. Write down or record exactly what happened while your memory is fresh, including weather conditions and time of day.
Uber doesn't typically deactivate driver accounts after a single accident if you weren't at fault. However, multiple accidents or serious violations like DUI can lead to permanent deactivation. Uber reviews each accident case by case, considering factors like your driving history and passenger complaints.
The team at Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers understands how Uber accidents can turn your life upside down. Our Huntsville attorneys know Alabama's strict fault rules and how they affect your case. We offer straightforward advice about your legal options during this difficult time.
You can talk with our lawyers at no cost to learn if you have a valid claim. The free consultation gives you a chance to ask questions and understand how we might help with your specific situation. Contact us today to schedule a time to speak with a Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers attorney who focuses on Uber accident cases in Huntsville.
J.R. is dedicated to providing personalized representation, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. He tailors his strategy to the unique challenges and needs of each client and case, ensuring focused and individualized attention.
His practice mainly covers Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, including car and 18-wheeler accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, defective products, and wrongful death. He also handles commercial disputes on contingency, with experience in contracts, construction, and probate. For any dispute headed toward litigation, J.R. develops an aggressive strategy to maximize your recovery through negotiation, arbitration, or trial.
"*" indicates required fields
