Injured In an Uber Accident in Knoxville?
Contact The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto Today
Uber’s most recent safety report revealed there were 101 motor vehicle deaths in 91 deadly Uber crashes over the course of the year. When an accident in an Uber happens, it is important for those who have been harmed to understand what legal recourse they have to get compensation for their losses.
The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto have extensive experience representing clients hurt by rideshare operators. With over 50 years of combined experience, our Knoxville Uber accident attorneys have proven that they have the legal skills necessary to represent clients in complex claims where big companies may play a role in compensating you for damages.
To learn more, schedule a free consultation with a Knoxville Uber accident attorney today by calling (865) 691-2777.
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Who is Responsible for Uber Accidents?
In some cases, Uber drivers are careless and cause accidents to occur that harm their vehicle occupants or others on the roads including drivers of other vehicles, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. In other circumstances, someone may strike an Uber driver, harming the driver and their passengers.
For the crash victims, it will be important to determine exactly whose negligence or wrongdoing was the direct cause of the incident. That’s because, under Tennessee’s at-fault laws, the party who is responsible for the crash must compensate victims for their resulting losses.
Police reports, witness testimony, records from the Uber app, and expert testimony may all be needed to determine if the driver was distracted using the app at the time or engaged in unsafe behavior that could have been a direct cause of the crash. The Knoxville car accident attorneys at The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto will help you to gather the necessary details to show who was to blame.
Will Uber Pay For Your Losses?
Tennessee has a vicarious liability law. Under vicarious liability rules, if a driver is working for an employer at the time of the incident, the company that employs that person can be held accountable for the harm that their employee caused.
However, as explained in Hamrick v. Spring City Motor Co., 708 S.W.2d 383, 386 “it is necessary to show that the operator of a vehicle was acting as a servant or employee of the owner and in the course and scope of the employment at the time of the accident.”
The problem is, Uber drivers are not employees. Their site makes clear that those who drive for them are independent contractors. This means you cannot hold Uber liable under vicarious liability rules.
Uber does have insurance that provides coverage for drivers, although the amount of coverage varies depending on whether they have passengers in the car, are online or available for a trip, or are offline. An Knoxville personal injury attorney can help you to determine if this coverage can help you to obtain full compensation.
Get Help from A Knoxville Uber Accident Attorney Today
Rideshare accident claims are complicated by the fact that both the drivers and Uber may have insurance that pays for damages. You need a skilled legal professional to help you navigate these complex cases. Contact the Lawyers of Brown and Roberto at (865) 691-2777 today to schedule your free consultation with a Knoxville Uber accident attorney and learn how we can help you.