Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law | February 24, 2025 | Uber Accidents
Uber is among the most well-known and popular rideshare companies in the United States. The company connects independent drivers who use their personal vehicles with passengers who need rides. Individuals seeking freelance work and passengers needing quick rides embraced the convenience of the app.
However, Uber has had its fair share of legal challenges since it began, including lawsuits alleging liability for accidents, sexual assaults, and other misconduct. Below are four types of Uber accidents filed against Uber since 2009.
Uber Lawsuits for Car Accidents in Florida
Uber car accidents happen for many reasons, including driver negligence. When an Uber driver is responsible for causing an accident, victims may have a claim against the driver. Generally, an accident victim only files a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to settle the claim for a fair amount.
When Uber began, it did not provide insurance for its drivers. The company claimed that drivers were independent contractors, so the company was not liable if the driver had caused an accident. Insurance companies for Uber drivers denied liability claiming the policies did not cover accidents occurring when the vehicles were used for commercial purposes. Unfortunately, accident victims had no recourse, so they sued Uber.
After numerous lawsuits by accident victims and states enacting requirements for insurance, Uber now provides insurance that covers its drivers. Whether a driver’s personal insurance policy or Uber’s insurance coverage applies depends on the driver’s statute at the time of the accident. According to Uber’s website, its insurance for drivers depends on their status:
- Coverage When Driver Is Offline – The driver’s personal car insurance coverage applies.
- Coverage When Driver Is Online & Available for a Trip – Uber maintains $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident in third party liability insurance and $25,000 in property damage for third party claims if the Uber driver is at fault.
- Coverage When Driver is En Route or on a Trip – Uber maintains $1 million for injuries and property damages for third parties if the Uber driver is at fault.
Uber may also have additional insurance based on state law. For example, the insurance certificate for Florida states that it also covers basic Personal Injury Protection for $10,000, except death benefits.
Even though Uber provides insurance coverage for drivers, recovering economic and non-economic damages for an accident claim may be challenging. You must have evidence proving the Uber driver caused the accident for the insurance company to pay your claim. Working with an experienced Uber car accident attorney gives you resources you would not have when representing yourself.
Uber Lawsuits for Sexual Assault
Uber has faced numerous lawsuits by passengers alleging sexual assault by Uber drivers. According to Uber’s safety report for 2021-2022, there were 2,717 reports of sexual assault, a decrease from the safety report for 2019-2020 (3,824 reports).
Riders and drivers report sexual assault through the platform. According to Uber, 31% of the reports were by passengers, 68% of the reports were by drivers, and 1% were reports by third parties. Sexual assault reports included non-consensual kissing, touching, and sexual penetration.
Uber owes a duty of care to passengers to take reasonable steps to ensure their safety. Safety measures include screening drivers, ride tracking, and in-app emergency assistance. Other safety measures include anonymous feedback and prompt response to incidents.
Uber Sued for Wage Theft Claims
Uber drivers sued the company, alleging that it had cheated drivers out of pay. The wage-theft lawsuits allege that Uber withheld money from drivers’ payments that should not have been deducted. The wage-theft lawsuit in New York also alleged that Uber failed to provide paid sick leave to drivers as required by state law.
Lyft was also sued for the same allegations. Uber and Lyft settled the lawsuit, agreeing to pay former drivers $328 million in back pay. The agreement also included an earnings floor to ensure drivers in New York are paid a minimum rate.
Uber Lawsuits for Misclassifying Drivers
Since Uber began, there have been problems with how the company classifies employees. Uber maintains that drivers are independent contractors. The company is not liable for a driver’s negligence or wrongdoing as an independent contractor.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed nationwide, resulting in state laws requiring Uber to provide accident insurance that covers their drivers. The insurance protects innocent victims when an Uber driver is responsible for an accident.
Uber drivers have also filed several lawsuits alleging the company misclassified them as independent contractors. Uber settled many of these lawsuits, but continues to deny that it incorrectly labels drivers.
Learn More About Uber Lawsuits in Florida During a Free Consultation
Call Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law for a free consultation with an experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer. We handle all types of Uber accident claims. You deserve to be compensated fairly for the injuries caused by an Uber accident in Orlando, FL.
Contact a Uber Accident lawyer at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Today
For more information, please contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to schedule a free consultation. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Orlando, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cocoa, and Titusville.
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Orlando, FL Office
633 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: (407) 801-3000
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Palm Bay, FL 32905
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Melbourne, FL 32935
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Cocoa, FL 32922
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Titusville, FL 32780
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