You may be entitled to compensation after an Uber accident in Indianapolis, whether you were hurt as a passenger, a driver, or another motorist. Recovery can come from the at-fault driver, Uber's insurance policy, or both, and rideshare crashes involve layers of coverage that most people never encounter until they need them.
Vaughan & Vaughan has spent generations fighting for injured Hoosiers. We offer a free consultation, so contact us today to talk with a dedicated member of our team.
Table of contents
- Common Causes of Indianapolis Uber Accidents
- Common Injuries From Uber Accidents
- What Our Clients Have to Say
- Who Can Be Held Liable in an Uber Accident?
- Indiana Rideshare Accident Laws and Deadlines
- What Compensation Can You Recover?
- Steps to Take After an Uber Accident
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Talk To A Determined Indianapolis Uber Accident Lawyer Today
Common Causes of Indianapolis Uber Accidents
Rideshare accidents happen for many of the same reasons as any other car accident, but a few causes come up again and again in the cases we handle. Drivers are often distracted by their navigation app or trying to locate a pickup address, and long shifts behind the wheel can lead to fatigue and slower reaction times.
Some of the most common causes we see include:
- Distracted driving: Checking the app, texting, or looking for a passenger's pickup location.
- Speeding: Rushing between rides to increase earnings.
- Fatigue: Long shifts, especially late at night or during peak surge hours.
- Unsafe lane changes: Sudden merges or turns to reach a pickup or drop-off point quickly.
- Failure to yield: Especially at intersections, crosswalks, and parking lot entrances.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Worn tires, brake issues, or other mechanical problems in a personal vehicle used constantly for ride-hailing.
Rideshare demand in Indianapolis peaks late at night, exactly when driver fatigue is highest and reaction times are slowest. More Uber vehicles on the road at those hours means more chances for a distracted or tired driver to cause a serious crash.
Not sure how your Uber accident happened or who's responsible? Call (765) 742-0056 for a free case review, and we'll walk through it with you.
Common Injuries From Uber Accidents
Uber accidents cause the same injuries as any other serious car crash, and passengers can be especially vulnerable in the back seat. Because a rideshare passenger often does not see the collision coming, the injuries we handle in these cases include:
- Whiplash and other neck and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries from striking a window or seat
- Broken bones from the force of impact
- Spinal cord injuries that can affect mobility long-term
- Cuts and lacerations from broken glass or debris
Some of these injuries do not show symptoms right away, which is one reason it matters to get checked out by a doctor even if you feel fine after the crash. Insurance companies often use a delay in treatment as a reason to dispute how serious an injury really is.
What Our Clients Have to Say
★★★★★
“..[T]hey fight for the top dollar and will not stop until they are certain that is all they can get you. I will forever recommend them to anyone that is in need of their services!! Thank you so much to the Vaughan and Vaughan team!”
Courtney V. | Google Review
Who Can Be Held Liable in an Uber Accident?
Rideshare accident claims are more complicated than a standard car accident because there are usually several layers of insurance involved, and figuring out which one applies depends on exactly what the Uber driver was doing at the time of the crash.
Under Indiana Code § 8-2.1-19.1-8, a transportation network company driver must be covered by at least $1,000,000 in primary liability insurance while actively transporting a passenger or on the way to a pickup after accepting a ride request.
When the driver has the app off entirely, their personal auto insurance typically applies, just as it would for any other driver. When the app was on but no ride had been accepted yet, a smaller contingent coverage period usually applies, often with lower limits than the full $1,000,000 policy.
Determining which period was active at the time of your crash is often the first thing we sort out, and it can make a real difference in how much compensation is available.
This layered system exists because Uber drivers move in and out of coverage throughout a normal shift, sometimes several times an hour. A driver circling downtown waiting for a ride request sits in a different coverage period than one driving a passenger to the airport, even though either situation can lead to a serious crash.
Insurance adjusters representing Uber or the driver often argue for the coverage period that pays the least, which is why an early, independent investigation matters.
Depending on the facts of your case, liability may fall on one or more of the following parties:
- The Uber driver, if their negligence caused the crash
- Another motorist, if a separate driver caused the accident while you were an Uber passenger
- Uber's insurance carrier, depending on the driver's status in the app at the time
- A vehicle manufacturer, if a mechanical defect contributed to the crash
Our team includes a full-time former police lieutenant who steps in early to investigate the scene, pull the Uber trip data when possible, and speak with witnesses before evidence disappears. Rideshare companies do not always make trip records easy to obtain, so having someone who knows how to request and preserve that data matters.
As one of our trial attorneys puts it, "Rideshare cases come down to timing almost as much as fault. We need to know exactly what that app was doing in the seconds before the crash, because it changes which insurance policy actually pays. That's not something people should have to figure out on their own while they're recovering from an injury."
Indiana Rideshare Accident Laws and Deadlines
Indiana law generally gives injured accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to pursue compensation in court, no matter how strong your case might be.
There are exceptions in certain circumstances, such as when a minor is injured, so it's worth having your case reviewed early rather than waiting until the deadline is close. Rideshare claims can also take longer to investigate than a typical accident because of the insurance layering involved, which makes an early start even more valuable.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A rideshare accident can affect far more than your immediate medical bills. Depending on your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses related to your injury
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Property damage, if applicable
Our staff includes a full-time Licensed Practical Nurse who reviews medical records and helps our attorneys understand the long-term impact an injury may have on a client's life. This matters in rideshare cases just as much as any other injury claim, since complications from a crash aren't always obvious right away.
Every settlement conversation includes those long-term costs. Sorting out medical liens and outstanding balances is also part of what we handle, not something we leave for clients to untangle after the fact.
You only get one chance to settle a rideshare accident case. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot reopen it for more money if you were paid too little, and our diligent work is aimed at keeping that from happening to you or a loved one.
Wondering which insurance policy applies to your Uber accident? Call (765) 742-0056 for a free case review, and we'll help you sort it out.
Steps to Take After an Uber Accident
A few steps after a rideshare accident can protect both your health and your case. Seek medical care right away, even if the injury does not feel serious at first, since some crash-related injuries take hours or days to become noticeable.
Take a screenshot of your Uber trip details before the app can update or overwrite them, including the driver's name, trip time, and route if possible. Photograph the vehicle, the scene, and any visible injuries. Get contact information for any witnesses.
Avoid giving a recorded statement to Uber's insurance company or the other driver's insurer until you have talked with someone on your side who can explain how that statement might be used later.
Most importantly, you should hire an Indianapolis rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible. The insurance adjuster is out to undermine your claim in any way that they can, whether it is trying to pressure you into a quick settlement or getting you to speak on the record when you are not required. Our Indianapolis rideshare accident attorneys can keep the insurance adjuster from getting the best of you.
Why Vaughan & Vaughan
Vaughan & Vaughan is a 4th-generation Indiana trial law firm that has served this community since 1913. We built our reputation on treating clients like neighbors, not case numbers, and that hasn't changed as our firm has grown.
Our firm is owned by a Board Certified Trial Lawyer who also teaches other attorneys how to try cases as a Professor of Trial Advocacy. He's a former President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and has been recognized as Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year. That courtroom background matters if your case doesn't settle and needs to go to trial.
We also do things differently when it comes to how we work with clients:
- Low caseloads: Our attorneys carry significantly fewer cases than high-volume firms, giving your case far more attention from start to finish.
- One dedicated attorney: You'll work with the same attorney and team from day one through resolution, so you never have to repeat your story to a stranger.
- Same-day responses: We return calls and texts the same day, with proactive updates so you're never left wondering what's happening with your case.
- In-person appointments: Available whenever you need to sit down and talk face-to-face instead of over the phone.
- Dual-attorney strategy: A partner and a dedicated attorney work every case together, giving you two legal minds working on your behalf for the same fee.
There are no upfront costs to hire us, and we don't increase our fee percentage if your case goes to litigation. What we quote at the start is what you'll pay, regardless of how long your case takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Hire An Uber Accident Lawyer?
There are no upfront costs to work with our firm, and we offer a free consultation to review your case. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you, and our fee percentage doesn't increase even if your case goes to litigation.
Can I Sue Uber Directly After An Accident?
Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors, which generally makes it difficult to sue Uber directly for a driver's negligence. Most claims are instead filed against the driver's insurance or Uber's contingent policy, depending on the driver's status in the app at the time of the crash.
What If I Was Injured As A Passenger In An Uber?
As a passenger, you're generally covered by Uber's $1,000,000 liability policy regardless of which driver was at fault, since that coverage applies whenever a trip is in progress. You may still need to pursue a claim against a separate at-fault driver if another vehicle caused the crash.
Does It Matter If The Uber Driver Had The App On Or Off?
Yes. The app's status at the time of the crash determines which insurance policy applies and how much coverage is available. This is one of the first details we investigate in every rideshare case.
How Long Do Uber Accident Cases Typically Take To Resolve?
Timelines vary depending on the severity of the injury, how many insurance policies are involved, and whether liability is disputed. Rideshare cases can take longer than a standard car accident claim because of the additional coverage layers, but a straightforward case may still resolve in a matter of months.
Talk To A Determined Indianapolis Uber Accident Lawyer Today
Rideshare accidents come with insurance questions most people have never had to deal with before, and the right legal team can make that process a lot less overwhelming. At Vaughan & Vaughan, you will have a dedicated attorney and a full team, including a former police lieutenant and a Licensed Practical Nurse, working your case from day one.
We handle the investigation, the insurance companies, and the medical liens, so you can focus on healing. Call us today at (765) 742-0056 for a free case review.
