You see, under the law, employers are considered to be more responsible for the actions of their employees than they are for the actions of their independent contractors.
Uber has used this argument to protect itself against third party plaintiffs many times, including in a lawsuit filed by the family of a young girl who was killed by an Uber driver while crossing the street. If they can use that defense against an innocent child, you can bet they_ll use it against you!

However, this issue is still a legally hazy one. Strong legal precedent has not yet been established on this particular question, and different courts have come to different conclusions. Right now, the status quo seems to be that Uber drivers are considered employees in some areas, and independent contractors in others.

Regardless, you can be certain that if you were hit by an Uber driver, the company will do what it can to avoid having to pay you a dime. In these situations, a personal injury attorney is more important than ever, and one with experiences in Uber cases is a definite plus.