Since Uber launched in 2009, the company has transformed transportation worldwide. Uber connects millions of passengers with rideshare drivers through a simple smartphone app, but this convenience has exposed many people to serious risks.
Despite the company’s claims of safety, passengers continue to face dangers ranging from sexual assault and harassment to severe car accidents. The company’s rapid growth and complex structure often leave victims struggling to navigate the aftermath. If you were harmed while riding in an Uber, trust Estey & Bomberger, LLP to fight for you.
Our attorneys serve as trusted advocates for victims of Uber-related incidents across the United States. With years of experience confronting large corporations, we know what it takes to go up against Uber and fight for the compensation that you deserve. Schedule your free consultation today and learn how Estey & Bomberger, LLP can help you seek justice.
Why Are Uber and Other Rideshare Lawsuits Filed?
Rideshare lawsuits can arise from various circumstances. These claims have one thread in common: they are filed in response to a situation where Uber’s services harm passengers, drivers, or other parties. For example, a passenger might suffer severe injuries when their Uber driver runs a red light while distracted. A rider might experience sexual assault by a driver with a history of complaints that Uber failed to address. A pedestrian may be struck by an Uber driver who was fatigued from working excessive hours.
These lawsuits are often caused by negligent or violent Uber drivers, but the company’s processes can also play a role. Inadequate safety protocols, insufficient driver screening, or unclear accountability measures can lead to serious trauma.
How an Uber Lawsuit Attorney Can Help
If you were harmed while riding in an Uber, navigating the legal process alone can be overwhelming. The rideshare giant employs teams of attorneys and maintains complex corporate structures designed to minimize their liability. In these situations, an attorney can level the playing field and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
At Estey & Bomberger, LLP, our firm will handle every aspect of your case on your behalf—no matter what type of Uber lawsuit you plan to pursue. Our attorneys understand the intricate web of rideshare regulations, insurance policies, and corporate accountability measures. We excel at gathering crucial evidence, from GPS data and driver histories to internal company documents, while protecting our clients’ privacy and interests.
Whether you are dealing with a sexual assault case requiring sensitive handling of evidence and coordination with criminal proceedings, or a complex accident case involving multiple insurance policies and competing claims, we have the resources and tenacity to pursue maximum compensation. Our firm will stand by your side every step of the way to protect your rights and defend your best interests in the face of corporate legal teams and complex operational structures.
Types of Lawsuits
At Estey & Bomberger, LLP, we refuse to let Uber hide behind its corporate structure or complex legal defenses. Our firm handles a wide range of lawsuits against the company, from individual passenger injuries to large-scale violations of driver and passenger rights. We possess the resources, experience, and determination to challenge the giant corporation and hold it accountable for the harm it causes to victims across the United States. Our Uber attorneys are committed to securing justice, regardless of our opponent’s size or legal resources.
Uber Sexual Assault
Sexual assault lawsuits against Uber typically arise when passengers become victims of assault, harassment, or other sexual misconduct by drivers. These cases can be filed by any passenger who has experienced sexual violence during an Uber ride, including assault, attempted assault, harassment, or unauthorized touching.
Family members or legal guardians may file on behalf of minors who have suffered sexual violence at the hands of Uber drivers. If Uber failed to respond appropriately to previous complaints about a driver or missed relevant criminal history on background checks, the company may be held accountable as well.
Uber Car Accidents
A motor vehicle collision can involve any type of vehicle—including Ubers. Uber car accident lawsuits can be filed by passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists who suffer injuries in crashes involving Uber vehicles. These cases may arise from various scenarios, including distracted driving, speeding, fatigue-related accidents, or reckless behavior.
Whether you were injured while riding in an Uber, struck by an Uber vehicle, or hit by an Uber driver in your own vehicle, you can either pursue a claim against Uber’s corporate insurance policy or file a lawsuit in civil court. The timing of the accident will affect the available insurance coverage and liability considerations, so it is important to consult with an attorney who can plan your path to compensation.
Wrongful Death
In some cases, an Uber ride ends in tragedy when someone loses their life. When a wrongful death occurs, certain parties may file a lawsuit on behalf of their loved one and seek justice and compensation from the at-fault party. These cases may arise from fatal accidents, criminal acts by drivers, or other deadly incidents involving Uber services.
Different states have different rules regarding wrongful death lawsuits, including who is eligible to file a claim on behalf of a deceased person. In some cases, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file. In others, surviving family members such as spouses, children, parents, and in some jurisdictions, other dependent family members may file. An Uber accident attorney can clarify the laws that apply to your claim.
Driver Misclassification
Driver misclassification lawsuits challenge Uber’s practice of classifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. In some cases, a driver’s working relationship with Uber more closely resembles traditional employment than independent contracting. This may include drivers who work regularly scheduled hours, rely on Uber as their primary income source, or must follow specific company protocols.
These cases can be filed by current or former Uber drivers who believe they should be entitled to employee benefits and protections. An attorney can help assess your eligibility for these claims and pursue a lawsuit based on your state’s guidelines regarding independent contract work.
Compensation for Uber Lawsuits
By filing an Uber lawsuit, you can pursue various forms of compensation to address both your immediate losses and long-term challenges. The specific damages available will depend on your case type and circumstances. At Estey & Bomberger, LLP, our attorneys will fight to secure maximum compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries and losses.
Compensation available in Uber lawsuits may include:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses: These damages cover all healthcare costs directly related to your injuries, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, diagnostic tests, rehabilitation services, physical therapy, medical equipment, and in-home care. Additionally, we work with medical experts to project any future medical needs so that your settlement includes funds for ongoing treatment.
- Psychological Treatment: Mental health care expenses encompass therapy sessions, counseling, psychiatric care, and medications needed to address trauma, anxiety, depression, or PTSD resulting from the incident. This is particularly crucial in sexual assault cases, where survivors often require long-term psychological support.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: This includes all income lost during your recovery period, including salary, bonuses, commissions, and benefits. If your injuries result in permanent disabilities that affect your ability to work or advance in your career, we calculate the lifetime impact on your earning capacity.
- Property Damage and Loss: Victims can recover costs to repair or replace all damaged personal property, including vehicles, electronics, clothing, jewelry, or other belongings destroyed or lost during the incident.
- Pain and Suffering: These damages acknowledge both the physical and emotional impact of the incident. On the physical side, this may encompass chronic pain or permanent disability. On the emotional side, which may include mental anguish, anxiety, depression, fear, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages: When Uber incidents result in death, surviving family members can pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, lost inheritance, and other damages associated with the loss of their loved one.
When Will I Receive Settlement Money for an Uber Lawsuit?
The timeline for receiving compensation in an Uber lawsuit varies based on case complexity and the parties involved. When you hire Estey & Bomberger, LLP to handle your claim, the process typically begins with a free consultation to evaluate your situation and determine the optimal path forward. Then, our attorneys will launch a comprehensive investigation and gather evidence to support your case.
If the incident is covered by insurance, we will usually file a claim with the insurer and begin negotiating for a fair settlement. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through insurance negotiations, or if your case is not covered by insurance, we will then file a lawsuit with the appropriate court.
After a lawsuit is filed, the discovery phase follows, where both sides exchange evidence and take depositions. This process typically takes several months as we build a strong case. Settlement negotiations often continue throughout this period. While some cases settle within months, complex claims may take a year or longer to resolve, especially if a trial becomes necessary.
We understand the financial pressure victims face, but rushing to accept a quick settlement often leads to uncompensated losses. By taking a careful, comprehensive approach, our attorneys will fight to recover full compensation for the current and future impacts of your injuries.
Who Is Liable in an Uber Lawsuit?
Liability in Uber lawsuits often involves multiple parties, depending on the circumstances of your case. Identifying the liable party is an important first step; this will dictate the type of claim that you will file and the basis for your argument for fair compensation. Some of the potentially liable parties may include:
- The Uber Driver: A driver may be liable for accidents caused by negligence, intentional misconduct, or criminal acts committed while providing rideshare services.
- Uber Technologies, Inc.: The company can be held responsible for negligent hiring practices, inadequate driver screening, failure to respond to passenger complaints, or violations of safety regulations.
- Other Drivers: In accident cases, other motorists who contributed to a crash may share liability for the injuries and losses that the victims have sustained.
- Third-Party Vendors: Companies providing services to Uber, such as background check providers, may be liable if their negligence contributed to passenger harm.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: If vehicle defects contributed to an accident, the manufacturer could face liability for resulting damages.
What Are Some Cases in Which Uber Would Be Liable?
Uber frequently attempts to avoid liability by classifying drivers as independent contractors, but this shield is not impenetrable. The company may bear responsibility when its negligence contributes to passenger harm. For example, Uber may be liable for inadequate driver screening that allows dangerous individuals to provide rides, failing to remove drivers after receiving serious complaints, or maintaining unsafe policies that put passengers at risk.
The company can also face liability for misleading passengers about safety measures, failing to adequately respond to known safety issues, or violating state and local regulations. In cases that involve collisions, Uber’s insurance coverage applies regardless of driver classification, as long as the app is active.
Driver misclassification cases directly challenge the independent contractor model, arguing that Uber’s control over drivers creates an employer-employee relationship. In some situations, you may be able to prove that the driver responsible for the harm that you suffered is truly an employee and that Uber is liable for your damages under the concept of vicarious liability.
However, pursuing a claim against Uber itself can be a challenging process. In these situations, an attorney can investigate all aspects of your case to identify the strongest evidence of Uber’s liability. They can then use this evidence, along with their knowledge of rideshare regulations and case law, to build a compelling argument for holding Uber accountable for your damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Estey & Bomberger, LLP Today
At Estey & Bomberger, LLP, we have extensive experience handling all types of Uber claims, from sexual assault and driver misclassification to serious accidents that result in injuries or wrongful death. Our attorneys understand the complex regulations governing rideshare companies and know how to build strong cases that overcome Uber’s defensive tactics.
Whether you have suffered injuries in an Uber accident, experienced assault by a driver, or lost a loved one in an Uber-related incident, our attorneys can fight for your rights. Contact us today at (800) 260-7197 for a free, confidential consultation, and let Estey & Bomberger, LLP put our skills to work for you.