Rideshare Accidents: Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Were You Injured in a Rideshare Accident?

Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are extremely popular these days. In the best situations, they can provide a convenient way to get around town. Uber was founded in 2010, but by 2017 the company reported that it had already given over 5 billion rides.

In many cities, apps like Uber and Lyft are more ubiquitous than taxicabs. Why are these apps so popular? One reason is that when you meet up with your driver, you have every right to expect a reasonable and safe trip to your destination.

Unfortunately, trips on ride-sharing apps do not always go as planned. Some drivers may be intoxicated or distracted, putting passengers at risk. Others may simply drive carelessly and recklessly. Regardless, if you are injured due to a driver’s negligence, they should be held accountable for their actions.

Your Options

The consequences of car accidents can be extremely severe, including nerve damage, broken bones, and even loss of life. If you or a loved one were injured in such an accident, you might be struggling with large medical bills or unsure when you will be able to return to work.

If your injuries were the result of a ride-sharing driver’s negligence, you might be entitled to financial compensation. While money cannot make up for the frightening experience of being in a car accident, it can go a long way toward holding reckless drivers accountable.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

What Should You Do After an Uber Accident?

The first thing to do after an accident is to seek immediate medical attention for yourself and anyone else who is injured. Call 911 and get emergency services to the scene. Emergency responders will handle traffic and ensure the location is safe for everyone involved. They will also render emergency medical aid and transport anyone who is injured to the hospital. 

Immediately seeing a doctor will also lend credibility to your injuries when you have to prove them in court. If you seek immediate medical attention, it will be harder for the other driver to claim your injuries were caused by something other than the accident. A doctor will also be able to identify any injuries you did not notice at first.

To protect your right to compensation, you need to prove that someone was responsible for the accident and your injuries. If you were an Uber or Lyft passenger, then this person could be your driver or the driver of another vehicle. If you were a motorist out on the road, you could also have been struck by an Uber or Lyft driver.

What evidence is helpful? Try to get the following:

• Insurance information for all drivers involved in the crash. Also, get their names, address, and telephone numbers.
• Pictures of damage to the vehicle. If you can move around, use your smartphone to take pictures of the vehicles involved. Zoom in on any damage to the vehicles, which can help show where they struck each other.
• What you remember happening in the moments leading up to the collision. Write a short narrative as soon as possible.
• Any statements made by any of the drivers. For example, one driver might have admitted they caused the accident.

The next step you should take is to contact New Jersey Uber & Lyft accident lawyers. Accident attorneys will help you collect and sort through the evidence to create a stronger case. They will also ensure you are aware of any deadlines you must meet.

When obtaining compensation for injuries suffered during a rideshare accident, you might have to make some complicated decisions. A majority of personal injury claims are settled out of court. An attorney can help you decide when a settlement offer is acceptable and when you should take the matter to court.

What If You are an Uber or Lyft Driver?

Whether you drive for Uber or Lyft, there are several steps you can take upon getting into an accident, regardless of fault:

1. Ensure safety: First and foremost, ensure that everyone involved in the accident is safe. If there are any injuries, call for emergency medical assistance immediately.
2. Contact the authorities: Call the police to report the accident and file an accident report. Make sure to get a copy of the report for your records.
3. Exchange info: Exchange contact, insurance, and vehicle information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses present.
4. Notify Uber or Lyft: Contact Uber or Lyft to report the accident as soon as possible. Their support team can guide you through the process of reporting the accident and provide assistance with insurance claims.
5. Document the accident: Take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved in the accident, as well as any other property damage. This evidence will be important for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
6. Seek legal counsel: Consider consulting with our attorneys who have experience with rideshare accident cases. They can advise you on your legal rights and help you navigate the claims process.

How Much Insurance is Available for My Case?

The amount of insurance will depend on who was at fault for the collision. New Jersey is a “fault” state, meaning whichever motorist is to blame for the accident pays compensation. If you were struck by an Uber driver, then the amount will depend on whether the driver had a ride or was logged into the app:

• The driver is not logged onto the app. The only insurance available in this situation is the driver’s regular insurance.
• The driver is logged into the app and looking for a ride. There is $50,000 bodily injury liability and up to $100,000 per accident. Also, $25,000 in property damage liability is available.
• The driver has accepted a ride and is on the way to pick up the passenger. Uber has a $1 million policy available.
• The passenger is in the Uber. Again, Uber’s $1 million insurance policy kicks in to cover these accidents.

If you were an Uber passenger, then you should be covered. Uber’s insurance applies if their driver was at fault. If a different driver was to blame, you will make a claim on that driver’s insurance company. Uber also has underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, which can kick in if the at-fault driver’s insurance policy is inadequate to cover all your losses.

To fully understand how much your injuries might be worth, please contact an Uber accident attorney right away. Your attorney can review your case and determine how much money you can qualify for.

Is There a Time Limit to File an Injury Claim Against Uber or Lyft?

The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits governs the amount of time you have to file a personal injury claim in New Jersey. N.J. Stat. Section 2A:14-2 states that any legal action for an injury caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of any person must be commenced within two years. This rule means you will have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim in New Jersey.

Personal injuries that rideshare drivers cause are treated the same as other personal injury claims. There are a few exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations rule. First, if the injured person is a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations will not start running until their 18th birthday. Second, if the victim suffers some form of mental incapacitation, the court can stop the statute of limitations clock until the victim recovers. Finally, if the victim does not find out about their injury until after the accident, then the statute of limitations begins upon the discovery of the injury. When this happens, the courts must determine whether the delay in learning about the injury was reasonable.

Discuss Your Case with Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today

We understand the importance of careful driving. When you order a ride-sharing service, you have every right to expect a safe experience. Our experienced Uber accident attorneys have a proven record of fighting for our clients. We will listen to your story and help you explore your options, possibly including financial compensation.

Contact the attorneys of O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble today to discuss ride-sharing app car accidents and potential negotiations. It is important to contact an attorney early to ensure the best possible outcome. Contact us online or call at 908-928-9200 today