Can Uber Drivers Keep Working After An Accident?

For countless people, driving for Uber is a great way to make a little extra money or even earn a full-time income. However, that income can easily be put in jeopardy in the event of a car accident. You might wonder, “Can an Uber driver stay on the platform after being involved in a crash?”

The truth is that there’s no singular answer, as Uber evaluates accidents on a case-by-case basis. Some drivers will have their accounts permanently deactivated, and others will be allowed to keep working. 

What Happens After an Uber Accident?

After an Uber driver is involved in a crash, their account is typically suspended while Uber investigates. Here’s how the process generally works:

Temporary Account Deactivation

As soon as the accident is reported to Uber, Uber will deactivate the driver’s account as a precautionary measure. Until Uber can determine fault and verify that the car is safe to drive, it keeps the driver off the platform.

Accident Investigation

In the event of a serious accident, Uber will assign personnel from its Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to the case. However, even if the accident is not severe, the company will take the time to investigate. Investigators will gather several pieces of evidence, including:

• The police report

• Statements from the driver, passengers, and witnesses

• Any available dashcam footage

• Photos and videos of the accident scene

• Data from the Uber app

In many cases, investigators will get in contact with drivers and passengers (and possibly other involved third parties) for further information.

Reactivation or Permanent Deactivation

Uber doesn’t have a set timeframe for investigating an accident, but its investigators try to be as efficient as possible. Once it has enough information, it will decide whether to reactivate the driver’s account or permanently deactivate it. Accounts are typically only deactivated when Uber sees the driver as a safety risk.

Before reactivating an account, Uber will sometimes require proof that the vehicle has been properly repaired. Drivers may need to have the car inspected before being allowed back on the platform.

Factors Determining Whether an Account Is Reactivated

Can you drive for Uber after an accident? Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer.

Uber doesn’t publish a set list of criteria for account deactivation after an accident. Much like it does when considering driver applications, Uber evaluates accidents on a case-by-case basis. However, these are some of the key factors in the process:

Whether the Driver Reported the Crash

Uber requires drivers to report accidents as soon as they reasonably can. If a driver fails to report, Uber may see them as a future safety risk and permanently deactivate their account.

Who Was at Fault

If the driver was not at fault for the accident, Uber is much less likely to permanently ban them from the platform. However, there are some instances where a driver could be deactivated for a crash caused by someone else.

For example, imagine that a third-party driver runs a red light and strikes an Uber. The third-party driver is primarily responsible for the crash, but if the Uber driver was speeding at the time, they might still be deactivated. Uber could reasonably argue that although the driver didn’t necessarily cause the accident, their unsafe driving behavior was a contributing factor.

The Severity of the Accident

Drivers are far less likely to be deactivated for a fender bender than for a serious accident involving major injuries. Crashes involving catastrophic injury or death are costly (in terms of both money and public relations) for Uber. Therefore, a driver involved in a major accident is more likely to be permanently banned.

The Driver’s Record

When determining whether to deactivate a driver, Uber reviews their record. This includes traffic citations and customer complaints. Drivers with a pattern of dangerous or concerning behaviors are more likely to be permanently deactivated.

Are Drivers Deactivated for Off-the-Clock Accidents?

Drivers aren’t always deactivated for accidents that happen when they aren’t driving for Uber. However, because Uber periodically redoes background checks, there’s a chance that it could find out about the crash that way.

Uber is far more likely to find out about an off-the-clock accident if the driver was issued traffic citations or criminal charges for driving behaviors like these:

• Speeding

• Reckless driving

• DUI

• Running red lights

• Leaving the scene of an accident

If new moving violations or charges show up when Uber redoes its safety screening, it will take a closer look at the driver’s history. From there, it will determine whether it should deactivate the account or not.

Can a Driver Appeal a Permanent Deactivation?

In most cases, Uber drivers whose accounts have been permanently deactivated have the option to appeal. Uber generally allows for appeals unless a driver has committed an extremely serious violation.

Here’s a look at how the appeals process generally works:

File an Appeal with the Review Center

The Review Center within Uber’s driver app handles deactivation appeals. Drivers submitting appeals should include the following:

• A concise explanation of why their account shouldn’t be deactivated

• Supporting documentation (like photos, accident reports, etc.)

On its website, Uber states that it will issue a decision within three working days.

Request a Second Appeal 

If Uber denies a driver’s initial appeal, the driver may be able to request a second appeal. They can do so by making a request in the Review Center section of the app or by contacting Uber support directly.

Winning a second appeal is very challenging. A driver shouldn’t just resubmit the information from the first appeal and hope for a different outcome. First, they should take the time to thoroughly understand the reason Uber denied the appeal.

They should then gather as much relevant documentation as possible. The appeal letter should briefly explain how each piece of documentation supports the driver’s case. Although appeals should generally be concise, they should still include enough detail to clearly outline the driver’s reasoning.

Consider Seeking Outside Help

If an Uber driver’s account has been permanently deactivated for an accident and both appeals have been unsuccessful, they might consider outside help. Organizations offering legal and accident support for rideshare drivers often assist with reactivation when possible.

There’s also nothing wrong with seeking outside help before filing a second appeal. Attorneys and other professionals who are deeply familiar with rideshare policies may be able to offer valuable guidance to drivers putting together their second appeals.

Keep in mind that while seeking out an attorney or support organization might increase the odds of account reactivation, it’s not a guarantee. It’s still possible for a driver’s account to remain deactivated.

Handling the Post-Accident Process

Even under the best of circumstances, surviving a car accident is highly stressful. However, Uber drivers must contend with added uncertainty. As Uber investigates a car accident, the involved driver is left wondering whether they’ll be allowed back on the platform. 

For many, being deactivated from the platform would mean losing a significant portion of their income, or even all of it. It’s easy to feel alone when going up against a multibillion-dollar company like Uber, but professional driver accident support is available for drivers looking for resources and guidance.

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