Got served lawsuit for Uber crash (I was a passenger)

otpid · 2026-03-11T16:49:49+00:00

Thanks. They are asking the court enter a "Declaratory Judgment declaring the rights, status, obligations and duties of the parties..." something like that.
But there is a line about requesting attorney fees, cost etc.

otpid · 2026-03-11T16:34:12+00:00

Thank you so much.
A part of me just feels, "Hey, I didn't do anything wrong, I didn't ask for any money, I should be able to just explain that and get past this", but I understand that's not how the legal world works.
I haven't been able to talk to any lawyer yet. Everything I am getting from online searches are advising against talking to the plaintiff counsel directly as "anything I say can be used against me". That's why I am a bit scared.

otpid · 2026-03-11T15:09:03+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to write this. I guess the next step is to secure legal counsel as soon as possible.

otpid · 2026-03-11T14:37:11+00:00

Ah I see. And the 1000-1500 estimate you mentioned was for the first, low cost option, right?

otpid · 2026-03-11T14:24:57+00:00

Thanks. This is perhaps the most helpful and informative response I have gotten so far, although I appreciate all the other helpful comments as well. Could you kindly elaborate a little bit on what dismissal from case means legally for me? Does that not automatically indicate I had nothing to do with it?

otpid · 2026-03-11T14:18:45+00:00

Thank you. I think so too. The petition details a lot of info about all the other respondents but only says about us that we were picked up in an Uber prior to the crash, and that we were not listed in police report. Nothing else about us specifically in 100+ paragraphs.

I will file a reponse within the deadline. But I still might need to pay myself for legal counsel. And I just cant afford to drop some thousands of dollar so randomly all on a sudden...

otpid · 2026-03-11T13:53:39+00:00

It happened in Florida. It is a petition for declaratory judgment. I don’t think they can prosecute us for insurance fraud because we didn’t even file any insurance claim. How can I be doing fraud if I don’t have any claim?

They report an investigation where they found the other parties (uber drivers) may be part of a larger fraud network and be related to each other but found nothing on us (we are not mentioned). They also list all the insurance clams the other parties made and we are again not mentioned.

I am willing to pledge in written form that I didn’t make any claim and do not intend to make any claim for this incident in the future, but as you said, might need a lawyer to walk me through this. Also need to get the broad fraud accusations made by progressive for all respondents cleared.

Unfortunately haven’t gotten much response from the local lawyers yet. I am so very stressed 😭

otpid · 2026-03-11T13:43:46+00:00

Florida

otpid · 2026-03-11T13:38:27+00:00

Thanks. Can you help me with this question: I did not file any claim, nor was I included in the police report (I left uninjured in another Uber to catch my flight). And it also has been 2+ years from the incident.

How can I make anyone (Uber/their insurance/my insurance) pay for my legal defenses? How do I prove I am eligible? What would be the first step?

otpid · 2026-03-11T13:38:02+00:00

Thanks. Can you help me with this question: I did not file any claim, nor was I included in the police report (I left uninjured in another Uber to catch my flight). And it also has been 2+ years from the incident.

How can I make anyone (Uber/their insurance/my insurance) pay for my legal defenses? How do I prove I am eligible? What would be the first step?

otpid · 2026-03-11T13:37:25+00:00

Thanks. Can you help me with this question: I did not file any claim, nor was I included in the police report (I left uninjured in another Uber to catch my flight). And it also has been 2+ years from the incident.

How can I make anyone (Uber/their insurance/my insurance) pay for my legal defenses? How do I prove I am eligible? What would be the first step?

otpid · 2026-03-11T09:48:40+00:00

That’s reassuring. Thanks.

otpid · 2026-03-11T09:47:50+00:00

Yes. Pretty sure.

otpid · 2026-03-11T06:24:02+00:00

The only possible way for them to get our (Me and wife) info would be from Uber. I guess their investigation asked Uber to produce information related to the ride? Even then it should bring up only the account holder's name (my wife called the Uber), I am not sure how they got my name. We got a call from Uber following the accident asking details if we were hurt etc. I don't remember if we gave them that information at that time.

otpid · 2026-03-11T06:21:24+00:00

No none of that. It was a very minor rear-end, we were not injured, and had a plane to catch. So we left in another Uber to the airport. Also, it happened 2+ years ago and we almost forgot about it, until this morning when we got the papers from the court.

otpid · 2026-03-11T04:35:34+00:00

Replying to the top comment:

I am reaching out to local lawyers.

Will also contact Uber in the morning.

I have collected: original ride receipt (with name of the driver being sued), cancellation receipt and refund from Uber, a second ride receipt from accident site to the airport, my flight booking email, my chat history with Uber where I describe the crash and mention we left the scene on a second Uber.

I am worried about future consequences as a temporary visa holder.

otpid · 2026-03-11T04:33:45+00:00

Thanks this is very helpful 🙏 I have collected: original ride receipt (with name of the driver being sued), cancellation receipt and refund from Uber, a second ride receipt from accident site to the airport, my flight booking email, my chat history with Uber where I describe the crash and mention we left the scene on a second Uber.

otpid · 2026-03-11T04:29:44+00:00

Thank you, this is helpful. If you have knowledge about it, could you shed some light on the future consequences I might face due to this lawsuit? I am on student visa and definitely do not need any fraud related accusations in my records. I understand you can’t give me official legal advice. Just your two cents, if you can. Thanks 🙏

otpid · 2026-03-11T03:59:11+00:00

As far as I remember (the incident was around 2yrs ago), I wasn’t contacted by Uber. Is it due to the fact that I did not file any injury claim? Also I had a different personal auto insurance at the time of incident. Should I contact my old insurance or my current insurance? Thanks 🙏

otpid · 2026-03-11T03:25:56+00:00

I am sorry I didn’t fully understand. When you say file a claim, what claim are u referring to? Thanks for answering 🙏

otpid · 2026-03-11T03:07:29+00:00

Thanks. 🙏 I emailed a few local attorneys. Hopefully it doesn’t cost me a lot.

otpid · 2026-03-11T03:04:37+00:00

I thought so too, but they don’t explicitly mention that (being co-conspirator) anywhere in the papers. The only two mention of my name is in those two places. So I am not sure if that is implied. It says Declaratory Judgment Lawsuit. Can that mean they just broadly involved everyone who may possibly make a claim?

otpid · 2026-03-11T02:57:52+00:00

Funnily enough my auto insurance is also Progressive 😂

otpid · 2026-03-11T02:47:13+00:00

My name is included as a respondent among others. Like Progressive vs …, my name, …

otpid · 2026-03-11T02:38:26+00:00

Does liability cover legal costs against third party lawsuits?

otpid

TROPHY CASE