Des Moines Uber Accident Lawyer

Uber Accident Attorney Des Moines, IA

At Law Group of Iowa, an Uber accident attorney Des Moines IA victims trust understands that a collision can happen anytime you are out on the road. As someone who was in a car wreck while taking an Uber, you may not have been sure how to handle the situation at the time. And perhaps it wasn’t until hours later that you started to notice aches and pains in your body. Depending on the Uber accident, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses from the driver at-fault. But since the driver was technically working for Uber when the crash happened, you may not know what to do next. If you or someone you love was recently hurt in an Uber accident, please call us now for support.

What To Know As a Passenger

Being a passenger during an Uber accident can be a scary experience. Every car crash is unique, and it can help to have a legal professional by your side to answer questions, advocate for your behalf if you pursue compensation, help gather evidence and needed documentation, offer guidance, and much more. Uber drivers are required to carry car insurance, and they may get it through a company that partners with Uber, such as Progressive, Liberty Mutual, and Allstate. But, these policies more often than not do not cover rideshare passengers.

Your car accident attorney Des Moines IA clients trust is not afraid to go up against a large insurance company in an effort to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other losses. To talk about your situation, call Law Group of Iowa, for more information.

Who Is Eligible to Recover Damages in a Rideshare accident

As long as you were not the person that caused the Uber accident to happen and actually sustained injuries, then you are probably eligible for damages. In general, the accident will be handled as a bodily injury claim, where you are looking for compensation for things like lost wages, medical costs, property damage, and pain and suffering. What will be important is how much evidence you can obtain and organize that supports your claims. Types of proof that can be influential to your case include:

• Witness statements from other passengers in the Uber, medical personnel, shop owners, and/or bystanders who came over to help at the scene.
• Copies of medical documentation related to your injuries, such as labwork, stitches, surgery, prescription medication, x-rays, MRI, diagnosis, and treatment plan.
• Photographs of your injuries.
• Statements from your employer related to wages (we may use this to estimate how much to pursue in wage loss if you had to miss work due to injuries).
• Street video footage of the accident.

At our law firm, our top priority is our clients and helping them recover physically and financially from an injury accident. If you would like legal guidance at this time from a Des Moines Uber accident attorney in IA, then call Law Group of Iowa today.

Iowa Uber Accident FAQ

Rideshare services have transformed how Iowans travel, offering convenient transportation at the tap of a smartphone screen. Whether heading downtown for dinner, getting home safely after a night out, or catching a ride to the airport, thousands of people trust these services daily. But when accidents happen during rideshare trips, determining who pays for injuries becomes frustratingly complicated. The question of whether the driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company’s policy, or another driver’s coverage applies depends on factors most passengers never consider. If you’ve been injured in an accident while riding in or struck by an Uber vehicle, you’re navigating insurance complexities that didn’t exist a decade ago. At Law Group of Iowa, we cut through the confusion surrounding rideshare accidents, identifying all available insurance coverage and pursuing the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Who Can Be Held Liable In Rideshare Crashes?

Responsibility in rideshare accidents varies depending on the circumstances and parties involved. Uber drivers who cause crashes through negligent operation, distracted driving, or traffic violations may bear primary liability. Other motorists who strike Uber vehicles while passengers are inside face accountability for injuries they cause. In some cases, multiple drivers share fault when their combined actions lead to collisions. Uber itself may face liability when the company fails to properly screen drivers, ignores safety complaints, or allows drivers with dangerous records to continue operating. Vehicle manufacturers can be responsible when defective parts contribute to crashes or fail to protect occupants properly. Pedestrians or cyclists who dart into traffic may share responsibility in certain accidents. We investigate all aspects of your crash to identify every party whose negligence contributed to your injuries and determine which insurance policies apply.

What Makes Rideshare Insurance So Complicated?

Uber accidents involve multiple layers of insurance coverage that apply based on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. When drivers have the app off and aren’t working, only their personal auto insurance applies, which often excludes commercial activity. Period 1 coverage begins when drivers turn the app on and are waiting for ride requests—Uber provides limited liability coverage during this phase. Period 2 starts when drivers accept a ride request and are traveling to pick up passengers—Uber’s coverage increases substantially. Period 3 applies when passengers are in the vehicle, triggering Uber’s full commercial insurance policy with million-dollar limits. Determining which period applies requires examining app records, GPS data, and driver statements. Insurance companies often dispute which coverage should apply to minimize their exposure. We navigate these complexities to ensure the appropriate insurance coverage responds to your claim.

Why Do Insurance Companies Deny Coverage?

Insurers representing various parties use numerous tactics to avoid paying rideshare accident claims. Personal auto insurance carriers deny coverage claiming the driver was engaged in commercial activity excluded from their policy. Uber’s insurance argues the accident occurred during a period with lower coverage limits than actually applied. Some insurers claim you were partially at fault to reduce compensation under Iowa’s comparative fault rules. They may suggest your injuries aren’t as severe as you report or argue that pre-existing conditions caused your current problems. Documentation gaps regarding the driver’s app status at the time of collision give insurers ammunition to dispute which policy applies. Quick settlement offers arrive before you understand your injury severity or long-term needs. We counter these denial tactics by gathering evidence establishing which insurance applies, documenting injury severity, and demonstrating clear liability.

How Do We Prove The Driver’s App Status?

Establishing which insurance coverage applies requires proving the driver’s exact status when the accident occurred. We immediately request data from Uber showing when the driver logged into the app, whether they had accepted a ride request, and whether a passenger was in the vehicle. GPS records and timestamps establish the driver’s location and activities leading up to the crash. Passenger trip receipts and payment records confirm when rides began and ended. Driver statements and phone records provide additional verification. In cases where Uber resists providing this information, we file legal motions compelling production of records. Witnesses who saw the driver using their phone or observed app activity provide supporting testimony. This evidence proves which insurance policy should respond and prevents companies from shifting between coverages to avoid responsibility.

What Rights Do Passengers Have After Crashes?

Passengers injured in rideshare accidents have legal rights regardless of which driver caused the collision. If your Uber driver’s negligence caused the crash, you can pursue compensation through Uber’s commercial insurance policy. If another driver struck your Uber vehicle, that driver’s liability insurance should cover your injuries. You can also pursue claims against multiple parties when shared fault exists. Iowa law protects passengers from comparative fault arguments since they have no control over vehicle operation. You’re entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages regardless of your relationship to either driver. We ensure insurance companies don’t take advantage of passengers who assume they have limited rights or must accept whatever the rideshare company offers.

What Injuries Commonly Occur In These Accidents?

Rideshare passengers suffer various injuries depending on collision severity and circumstances. Whiplash and neck injuries result from rear-end impacts when passengers don’t anticipate the collision. Back and spinal injuries occur from sudden force affecting the spine. Head injuries and concussions happen when passengers strike windows, seats, or doors during impact. Broken bones affect arms, wrists, ribs, and legs from the forces involved. Soft tissue injuries cause ongoing pain and mobility limitations. Psychological trauma including anxiety about riding in vehicles affects many passengers after crashes. More severe accidents result in traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, or spinal cord injuries with permanent consequences. We document all injuries with medical evidence and testimony showing how they’ve affected your daily life, work capabilities, and overall wellbeing.

How Long Do You Have To File Claims?

Iowa’s statute of limitations typically provides two years from the accident date to file personal injury lawsuits. However, this deadline shouldn’t dictate when you pursue compensation—starting the claims process immediately protects your rights and preserves evidence. Rideshare companies and insurance carriers benefit from delays as witnesses become harder to locate, memories fade, and physical evidence disappears. Additionally, Uber’s insurance policies may have their own reporting requirements and deadlines that differ from state law. Failing to notify the appropriate insurance carriers promptly can jeopardize your claim. We advise clients to contact us immediately after accidents so we can handle all notifications, preserve evidence, and begin building compelling cases without delay.

What Should You Do After A Rideshare Accident?

Your actions following an Uber accident significantly impact both your health and legal claim. Seek immediate medical attention even if you feel fine—some injuries don’t produce symptoms until hours or days later. Call law enforcement to create an official accident report documenting what happened. Take photographs of all vehicles involved, visible damage, the accident scene, and any injuries you can see. Collect contact and insurance information from all drivers involved in the collision. Get names and phone numbers from witnesses who observed the crash. Document which rideshare service you were using and save your trip receipt. Report the accident to Uber through their app immediately. Avoid providing detailed statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with us. Keep records of all medical treatment, medications, therapy sessions, missed work, and expenses. We guide clients through these steps and take over all communication with insurance companies and rideshare platforms.

Rideshare accidents create confusion about insurance coverage and liability that most people aren’t equipped to handle alone. An uber accident lawyer Iowa residents trust can investigate your crash, determine which insurance policies apply, and pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain. We understand the unique challenges rideshare accidents present and have experience dealing with both traditional insurance companies and rideshare platforms. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your accident and learn how we can help you navigate the complexities of rideshare injury claims.