When you take an Uber, you’re riding as a passenger in a person’s own vehicle as opposed to a commercially registered and insured one. This has raised the question of what happens if you are in an accident while taking an Uber. Who pays for injury compensation?
When Uber started operating in Australia, many people were concerned about the supposed lack of insurance arrangements for Uber drivers due to claims made by the Taxi industry. However, Uber does have insurance which covers personal injury and property damage.
How is Uber Insured?
Uber drivers must have a current compulsory third party (CTP) insurance policy that covers personal injury as well as third party property damage insurance. This means that if you are in an accident with an Uber, you can claim for your injuries under the CTP scheme.
A contingent coverage policy issued by CGU also covers Uber drivers against liabilities of up to $20 million. So if the driver’s CTP or third party insurers will not pay out personal injury or property damage claims for some reason, the additional policy will cover it.
What to Do If Injured While Riding in an Uber
You are covered by both the Uber driver’s CTP insurance as well as Uber’s $20 million contingent liability policy if you are injured while riding as a passenger in an Uber. If you are in an accident, you should report the incident to Uber after seeking necessary medical attention, obtaining information from involved parties and reporting the accident to police.
You can report your accident to Uber using the app. Go to ‘Your Trips’ in the menu icon and select the trip in which the accident occurred. From the ‘Select an issue’ option, choose ‘I was involved in an accident’.
You’ll then be given a form where you complete details such as the date, time, location/intersection and description of the incident as well as details of any injuries you have sustained. Once the form is submitted, an Uber team member will get in touch to assist you.
Making a Claim for Injuries
If your injuries required you to take time off work or if you incurred significant medical expenses, you may lodge a CTP claim. While this can be filled out and submitted online yourself, it’s a good idea to consult an experienced compensation lawyer.
The team at Stacks Goudkamp will ensure your rights are protected and that you receive all the compensation you are eligible for. For more information, and to arrange a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim, please call us on 1800 251 800, or alternatively make an online enquiry.
