In Arizona, if you’re involved in an Uber accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, your own insurance or Uber’s coverage may help cover the damages. This can include medical bills, lost income, and property damage, depending on your policy and Uber’s liability protection. If the at-fault driver lacks coverage or doesn’t have enough insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) can step in to fill the gap.
Uber accident lawyers in Phoenix can guide you through these claims, reviewing your policy, examining Uber’s insurance protections, and identifying all possible avenues of compensation. They help ensure you don’t face the financial burden alone after such a complex situation.
What Steps Should You Take After an Uber Accident With an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?
After an Uber accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist, the steps you take immediately afterwards can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Protecting both your health and your legal rights requires careful action. Here are the key steps explained in detail:
1- Ensure Safety and Contact Authorities
Your first priority should be safety. Move to a secure location away from traffic if possible and check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 immediately to report the accident. Police officers will respond, document the scene, and create an official report. This police record is often crucial when pursuing uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims, as it establishes that the crash occurred and provides initial details about fault.
2- Seek Medical Attention Promptly
You are advised to visit a medical professional immediately, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. Most injuries in car accidents, like concussions, whiplash, or internal bleeding, do not manifest themselves right away but improve over a period of hours or days. Not only do medical records protect your health, but they are also your evidence that links your injuries to the accident. Delays in treatment give insurers an excuse to question the seriousness of your condition.
3- Collect Evidence at the Scene
Document as much information as possible before leaving the accident site. Take photographs of the vehicles, your injuries, skid marks, and road conditions. Save your Uber trip details, including the driver’s name, license plate, and digital ride receipt. Get contact details from any witnesses who saw the crash, since their statements may support your claim later.
4- Notify Your Insurance and Uber
Report the accident to your personal auto insurer promptly. At the same time, use the Uber app to notify the company of the crash. Uber maintains UM/UIM coverage of up to $1 million in specific situations; however, you must follow the reporting procedures and provide the required documentation to access these benefits. Timely notice ensures no delays in coverage review.
5- Consult an Uber Accident Lawyer
Claims involving uninsured or underinsured motorists are often complex. Insurance companies may deny coverage, shift blame, or offer settlements that fall short of your actual losses. A Phoenix Uber accident lawyer can evaluate the available coverage, handle negotiations, and pursue legal action if necessary. Their experience ensures you understand your rights and improves your chances of securing full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
What Can You Do if the Uninsured Driver Flees the Scene?
If the at-fault driver flees after hitting your Uber, never attempt to chase them, as this could put you in further danger. Instead, call the police immediately and provide every detail you remember about the vehicle, such as its colour, make, model, direction of travel, and license plate number if visible. Officers will use this information during their investigation, and the official police report becomes a key piece of evidence to support your uninsured motorist (UM) claim.
Next, take steps to thoroughly document the crash scene. Photograph your Uber, nearby property damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Speak with witnesses who may have observed the collision and collect their contact information. These accounts, along with the accident report, strengthen your claim by proving the seriousness of the hit-and-run and your right to compensation. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as insurers and Uber will require it during the claims process.
Finally, notify both Uber and your personal insurance provider without delay. Uber maintains UM/UIM coverage of up to $1 million in qualifying cases, which may apply even if the at-fault driver is never located. However, reporting requirements and deadlines must be met to secure coverage. Because hit-and-run cases are complex, involving multiple insurers and high stakes, consulting a Phoenix Uber accident lawyer is often essential. An attorney can coordinate with investigators, manage communications with insurers, and pursue every available path to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term recovery needs.
Can You Still Recover Damages if the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Yes, you can still recover damages if the at-fault driver is uninsured. Options such as Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, Uber’s $1 million protection during active trips, collision coverage, and MedPay can all provide compensation for medical bills, lost income, and property damage. You have several coverage options that may protect you after an Uber accident:
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM):
This coverage is in place if the at-fault driver has no insurance whatsoever. UM will fully reimburse medical expenses, loss of earnings, and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. In Arizona, property damage is also covered under UM in specific policies, providing you with extra financial protection in cases when the uninsured driver acts negligently. - Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM):
Sometimes, the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to cover your injuries and losses fully. UIM coverage bridges that gap by stepping in once the other driver’s limits are exhausted. This ensures you are not left paying out of pocket for long-term treatment, rehabilitation, or income losses that exceed the negligent driver’s insurance. - Uber’s Insurance Coverage:
If you are injured while on an active Uber trip, the company provides up to $1 million in UM/UIM protection under its commercial insurance policy. This coverage is designed to protect passengers when another driver is uninsured, underinsured, or unidentified in a hit-and-run accident. However, strict reporting and documentation rules apply, making it vital to notify Uber promptly and provide supporting records. - Collision Coverage:
Collision coverage helps repair or replace your vehicle regardless of the other driver’s insurance status. Although you will need to pay your deductible, this coverage ensures you are not left without transportation while your injury and liability claims are still being resolved. - Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay):
Available as an optional add-on in Arizona, MedPay covers immediate medical expenses for you and your passengers after a crash. It applies regardless of fault, helping you pay for emergency room visits, ambulance fees, and short-term care while your larger injury claim is pending.
What’s the Deadline for Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim in Arizona?
The personal injury statute of limitations, including uninsured motorist (UM) claims, in Arizona is typically two years from the time of the accident. This is because you have to initiate a legal claim within that period, or you will lose the right to seek compensation altogether. Courts are very rigid with this deadline, and failure to meet it rarely will allow recovery, no matter how good your case is.
It’s important to note that UM claims also involve specific requirements set by your insurance policy. Most insurers require prompt notification of the accident, often within days or weeks, and may deny coverage if deadlines are missed. Because of this, victims should not wait until the end of the two years to act.
Consulting an Arizona personal injury lawyer as soon as possible ensures all deadlines are met and that evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, and police reports, is preserved. Early legal involvement also allows your attorney to negotiate with insurers, file claims on time, and prepare for litigation if necessary. Acting quickly not only protects your rights but also increases your chances of securing full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
How Do Uninsured and Underinsured Driver Coverages Differ?
Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance is in use when the at-fault driver is completely uninsured. It recompenses medical fees and lost earnings, pain, and suffering, and in some cases, property damage. In the absence of UM protection, victims would usually have no feasible alternative to reclaiming the damages, as uninsured drivers have hardly personal assets to pay the expenses of car accidents.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, on the other hand, applies when the at-fault driver carries insurance, but their policy limits are too low to cover your full damages. UIM bridges the gap between what the negligent driver’s policy pays and your actual losses. Both UM and UIM are vital protections in Arizona, where many drivers either lack insurance or only carry minimum liability coverage.
According to the Insurance Research Council, Arizona consistently ranks among the states with a high percentage of uninsured motorists, making these coverages especially important after an Uber accident, where injuries and medical expenses are often severe.
How Does Arizona Law Affect Uber Accident Claims With Uninsured Drivers?
The Arizona statutes mandate that every driver have minimum liability insurance, but many do not comply with or purchase the required minimum insurance. In the case of an accident involving an Uber that an uninsured or underinsured driver causes, victims typically face significant uncertainty after the accident. Uber mitigates this risk by insuring drivers (as a supplement to their own plans) when they are logged in the app or when they are actively transporting people. This coverage may provide up to one million dollars of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) benefits, which cover riders if the at-fault driver is not adequately insured.
Because insurance laws and rideshare policies overlap, accident victims must navigate multiple coverage sources to recover damages. Determining whether your own insurance applies, when Uber’s commercial policy activates, and how UM/UIM benefits fit into the claim can be confusing. Insurers may delay, dispute, or undervalue payouts, leaving victims at risk of unpaid medical bills and lost income. Working with a lawyer experienced in both Arizona insurance law and Uber accident claims ensures evidence is preserved, deadlines are met, and every avenue for recovery is pursued.
FAQs
Does Uber’s Insurance Always Apply in an Uninsured Driver Accident?
Uber’s insurance generally applies when you are an active passenger during a trip. Coverage levels may vary depending on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.
Can My Health Insurance Cover Injuries From the Accident?
Yes, your health insurance may help pay medical bills. However, UM/UIM and Uber’s insurance coverage may provide more comprehensive compensation.
Should I File a Claim Against Uber Directly?
Claims are usually made through Uber’s insurance carrier. An attorney can help file, manage, and negotiate these claims.
What if the Uber Driver Is at Fault and Uninsured?
Uber generally provides liability coverage for drivers, even if their personal policy doesn’t apply. Passengers are often protected under Uber’s policy in these scenarios.
Is There a Deductible in UM/UIM Claims?
Some UM/UIM claims involve deductibles, depending on your policy terms. Reviewing your insurance contract clarifies what costs may apply.
Take Control After an Uber Accident — Don’t Let Insurers Decide Your Future
After an Uber accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, victims often feel trapped. Medical bills accumulate quickly, lost wages create financial strain, and insurers often shift blame or delay payments. Confusion over overlapping coverages between Uber, personal insurance, and UM/UIM policies makes the process even more stressful. Without legal guidance, many victims accept far less than they truly need to recover.
An experienced Uber accident lawyer can help untangle these challenges. They review every available insurance policy, gather the evidence needed to prove your case, and negotiate aggressively with insurers. If necessary, they pursue litigation to ensure you recover fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term needs.