Injured parties naturally look to the driver as the party responsible when an Uber accident occurs. But there are often other entities that may be liable for an Uber accident.
Pursuing compensation from these additional sources with an experienced attorney for your rideshare accident case can result in greater compensation while holding all negligent parties fully accountable.
Here are some of the alternative entities, besides just the Uber driver, that should be investigated for potential liability when you’re the victim of an Uber accident.
Who is Liable for an Uber Accident?
There are many legal entities who are liable for Uber accident, explore now:
Uber
Uber, as a corporation, can bear liability for accidents in several scenarios:
- Negligent hiring and supervision of unsafe drivers
- Lack of sufficient driver background checks and screening
Uber’s deep pockets make them an essential target in major injury claims if these failures by the company contributed in any way.
Vehicle Manufacturer or Auto Part Supplier
If a mechanical defect or malfunction caused or contributed to an Uber accident, legal action may be brought against the automaker or supplier. Common vehicle problems include:
- Defective airbags
- Faulty brakes
- Tire blowouts or treads separating
- Unintended acceleration
- Steering or suspension failures
You can also target parts suppliers if a defective component, like faulty brake pads, contributed to a crash.
Rideshare App Developers
The tech companies that create rideshare apps for Uber could be negligent if flaws in the app’s GPS mapping or directions resulted in an accident.
Poor route guidance that directed a driver the wrong way or into unsafe conditions could support a liability claim against the developers. Bugs or glitches that caused dangerous distractions could be factors as well.
Third-Party Rideshare Apps
Some third-party apps provide additional services to Uber drivers, such as navigation, mileage tracking, or ride coordination. Bugs, glitches, or negligent design in these apps could contribute to driver distraction and cause accidents.
Municipality or Government Agencies
In some Uber crashes, negligence by government entities could potentially have contributed through:
- Poor road design created hazards
- Failure to fix or warn drivers about known road defects
- Inadequate maintenance left roads in an unsafe condition
- Allowing construction zones or obstacles that increase crash risks
- Negligent traffic engineering around signs, signals, or markings
If infrastructure negligence seems evident, bringing local government agencies into a claim investigation after an Uber accident is warranted.
Other Motorists Involved
If the Uber driver collides with another vehicle, the other motorist may also bear some liability. Their negligent driving could have caused or contributed to the crash. Common factors include:
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Distraction or impairment due to texting, intoxication, etc.
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Disregarding traffic signals or signs
- Changing lanes improperly
Property Owners of the Crash Site
If an Uber collision takes place on private property, premises liability may fall upon the owners for the unsafe conditions that led to the crash. This includes:
- Excessively slick or icy parking lots
- Poor lighting in garages or lanes
- Lack of proper barriers between driving areas and pedestrians
- Blind corners or hills with poor visibility
- Speed bumps are not marked adequately
Property owners must maintain safe conditions for visitors. They can be held responsible if this obligation was breached and contributed to a rideshare passenger’s injuries.
The complexities of accident investigations and negotiations with Uber are best handled by attorneys familiar with the procedures of rideshare claims. An experienced lawyer has the resources and knowledge to identify all viable defendants beyond just the driver.
Don’t settle for only partial recovery or let other negligent parties escape responsibility simply because the driver was also at fault. Partnering with an experienced rideshare lawyer levels the playing field and ensures you receive the full measure of damages you deserve.
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