Knoxville Uber accident lawyer

Knoxville Uber Car Accident Lawyers

Holding rideshare companies liable when their drivers cause accidents

Uber rideshare services are available throughout Knoxville. Uber drivers are ready to pick you up at your home, work, or wherever you are in the city. There are UberX cars for most riders and UberXL cars for large groups of riders. Like all any accident, Uber accidents may happen due to speeding, driving while intoxicated, and many other causes. The negligent driver may be your Uber driver or another driver who collides with an Uber vehicle. At Banks & Jones, our Knoxville Uber car accident lawyers are skilled at handling the unique liability and insurance issues that are involved in rideshare accidents. We’re ready to handle your personal injury claim for any type of Uber accident today.

T.Scott Jones and his firm have been very professional and pleasant to work with. He is the best at what he does! Would highly recommend.

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How can we help?

What types of accidents occur with Uber vehicles in Knoxville?

At Banks & Jones, we handle every type of car accident, whether you’re in the Uber vehicle or getting into or out of the vehicle. Some of the Uber car accidents that we handle include head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, broadsides, single-vehicle crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, and intersection accidents. We represent pedestrians and bicyclists who are struck by an Uber driver who was too busy looking for a ride to notice anyone outside of the vehicle. UberEats also provides a delivery service. Accidents may happen during the delivery.

We also represent riders who slip and fall while getting into an Uber or while leaving the vehicle. If an Uber driver sexually assaults a rider, we’re skilled at providing strong representation for this unconscionable act.

If a defective tire, seatbelt, or other car part caused an Uber accident or failed to protect an Uber rider, our Knoxville Uber accident lawyers handle those types of incidents, too.

Why do Knoxville Uber accidents happen?

While many Uber accidents happen for the same reasons any car accident happens, following are a few reasons that explain why accidents are more common to Uber drivers:

  • Distracted driving. Drivers earn their living by responding to app requests for rides. Responding normally means texting the rider that the driver can accept the ride, the time the driver will pick up the rider, and discussing directions. During the ride, Uber drivers regularly use their car’s GPS or a phone GPS to review what roads they should take and when they need to turn. Looking at apps or focusing on the GPS is a form of distraction. The Uber driver isn’t fully Driver fatigue.  Some Uber drivers drive for long shifts. They may accept a ride when they should be in bed or off-duty. Tired drivers can’t respond as quickly and efficiently as drivers who are fully awake. Tired drivers also can’t control their cars as well as more alert drivers.
  • Some drivers may speed because the faster they travel, the more rides they can accept, and the more money they can make.

Other causes of Uber accidents in Knoxville include driving too fast for weather conditions, reckless driving (weaving in and out lanes), driving while intoxicated, and other traffic violations or careless driving.

Uber drivers need to be extra cautious when they drive because they’re not just driving for themselves. They’re driving for you – and charging a fee for driving you to your destination.

Who is liable if you get into an Uber accident in Knoxville?

Our Knoxville Uber car accident lawyers file claims against all responsible parties. The victims and the defendants can differ. Common types of claims include the following:

  • An Uber driver is negligent. We file claims on behalf of any passengers in the Uber, the drivers and passengers of other vehicles the Uber driver strikes, and any pedestrians or bicycle riders.
    • The defendants include the Uber driver and any other negligent drivers. Other defendants may include a manufacturer of a defective Uber car part, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, or a seller of alcohol to an Uber driver who was visibly intoxicated when served.
    • The Uber company may be liable if they fail to vet the driver’s driving record and background. Uber may also be liable for failing to investigate complaints about the Uber driver’s performance or notices of traffic violations.
  • Another driver is negligent. We file claims on behalf of any passengers in the Uber vehicle, the driver of the Uber, any passengers in the car of the negligent driver, and any pedestrians or bicycle riders.
    • In addition to the driver, the owner of the negligent driver’s car may be liable. Other defendants may include the driver’s employer, a manufacturer of defective car parts, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and a seller of alcohol to an intoxicated driver.

The families of anyone who is killed in a Knoxville Uber accident have the right to file a wrongful death action against the responsible parties. We can help.

How is insurance handled in Uber accident cases in Knoxville?

This part of your Knoxville Uber accident claim is complicated. At Banks & Jones, we’ll guide you through these complexities. We’ll notify the proper insurance companies. We’ll seek all the damages that you’re due from the correct insurance carrier, up to the correct insurance policy coverage limits.

Basically, the applicable insurance coverage depends on the stage of the trip.

If another driver (a non-Uber driver) is liable, we seek damages from the liable driver’s liability insurance policy.

If the Uber driver is liable, the coverages are as follows:

  • The Uber driver was not on duty (was not looking for rides). The applicable insurance is the Uber driver’s own car insurance liability policy. Drivers must have state minimum coverage of 25/50/25 or higher.
  • The Uber driver was on duty but had not accepted a ride. In this case, Uber’s liability insurance covers up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. This is double the Tennessee state minimum.
  • The Uber driver had accepted a ride and was either on route to pick up the passenger or the passenger was in the car. Uber’s liability insurance policy covers: “At least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties involved in an accident” where the Uber driver is at fault.

Uber drivers who are in an accident may be entitled to:

  • The cost to repair the Uber vehicle (up to the actual cash value) minus a $2,500 deductible – provided the Uber driver has comprehensive and collision coverage.
  • Optional Injury Protection for additional medical expenses.

Uber may provide additional coverages (we’ll explain which coverages apply) if an accident is caused by a hit-and-run driver. If the insurance coverage is not high enough or the responsible driver is not an Uber driver and does not have insurance, you should also be able to file a UM/UIM claim through your own auto policy.

Taxis, limousines, carpool services, or other for-hire services are regulated by different Tennessee laws.

Do you have a Knoxville Uber accident lawyer near me?

At Banks & Jones, we meet Uber accident victims and families at our Knoxville office located at 2125 Middlebrook Pike. If your injuries are too severe, we make alternate arrangements such as consulting with you at a hospital, your home, or talking by phone or video.

We’ll answer all your car accident questions and fight for all the compensation you deserve.

Get help now. Speak with our experienced Knoxville Uber accident lawyers today

Coverage and liability questions with rideshare accidents can be extremely complicated. At Banks and Jones, our Knoxville Uber accident attorneys understand how to prove fault. We know which insurance policy should pay you once fault is established. We Fight 2 Win, and demand that these drivers and the companies who profit from rideshare drivers pay the full extent of the damages owed. For immediate help, please call us or contact us now to schedule a free consultation.

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