Jersey City Uber Accident Attorney

If you were recently injured in a traffic collision involving an Uber, discuss your legal rights and options with an attorney from Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC. Rideshare accident claims can be confusing, and you may face bad-faith tactics from Uber’s insurance company that risk your financial future. Our experienced and aggressive Jersey City Uber accident lawyers can protect your best interests and help you fight for a positive case outcome.

We will make sure your family has everything it needs during the difficult time after an Uber accident in Jersey City. Call (201) 997-0030 today for a free initial consultation.

When to Contact a Jersey City Uber Accident Attorney

Hiring a Jersey City personal injury lawyer can have many benefits. An injury lawyer can navigate the legal process and take over negotiations with an insurance company on your behalf to prevent the company from taking advantage of you. An Uber accident lawyer will know how these injury claims work and which New Jersey laws apply to your individual case.

A lawyer can also investigate the ridesharing accident and hire qualified experts to strengthen your case. Your Jersey City Uber accident lawyer will fight for maximum financial compensation for your physical injuries, emotional distress and financial losses while you concentrate on healing from a serious injury from a car accident.

What Caused Your Uber or Lyft Accident?

Uber is a rideshare service, meaning it offers customers rides using the driver’s own vehicle. Uber, along with its main competitor Lyft, serves millions of riders around the world. From a legal standpoint, however, they present a problem, as they do not have to follow the same safety standards as taxi and limousine transportation services. Unfortunately, this leads to a higher risk of accidents, injuries and deaths.

Most Uber and Lyft accidents are avoidable. Common causes of Uber accidents in New Jersey include:

• Careless and reckless rideshare drivers
• Distracted driving
• Cell phone use behind the wheel
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Running red lights and rolling through stop signs
• Driving while drowsy
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Breaking traffic laws
• Poorly maintained rideshare vehicle
• Uber or Lyft company negligence

Negligence in personal injury law refers to any act or failure to act that falls short of the acceptable level of care, resulting in harm to another person. If a ridesharing company is negligent, this means it has done something that another reasonable and prudent party would not have in similar circumstances, and that this caused the victim to be injured.

Examples of Uber company negligence are failing to conduct thorough background checks on new drivers, failing to inspect ridesharing vehicles for safety, and failing to fire drivers who exhibit dangerous or reckless behaviors, such as drunk driving.

Who Is Responsible for Your Uber or Lyft Accident?

If a ridesharing company could have done more to prevent your car accident, it may be held liable – legally and financially responsible – for the crash. It is common, however, for Uber and Lyft to avoid liability for accidents. They do this in part by classifying their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. This protects them from absorbing vicarious liability (an employer’s responsibility for its employees) for their drivers’ mistakes.

How Does the Uber Insurance Process Work?

Although you may not be able to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft directly, you can still seek financial recovery through the company’s insurance coverage. Uber has a $1.5 million insurance policy that covers all riders and on-duty drivers. Uber’s insurance policy offers different amounts of coverage based on the phase of the ride:

1. Phase 1. The Uber driver has logged into the Uber app and is waiting for a ride. If the driver causes an accident in this phase, Uber provides $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury insurance, as well as $25,000 in property damage insurance for vehicles other than the Uber driver’s car.
2. Phase 2. The Uber driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up the rider. Uber’s insurance policy offers $1.5 million combined in liability insurance during this phase, as well as $1.5 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance. These are the required amounts under New Jersey law.
3. Phase 3. The rider has been picked up by the Uber driver and is on the way to the destination. The same insurance policy limits apply to this phase as Phase 2.

If you were injured while in an Uber, or if an Uber driver crashed into you as a bicyclist, pedestrian or third-party driver, you will most likely qualify for insurance coverage through Uber. If the insurance company tries to devalue your losses or reject your claim without a valid reason, an attorney can help you negotiate. You may also be able to bring a claim against another driver if that driver caused your crash.

Can You Hold a Rideshare Driver Responsible?

The answer to this question depends on the circumstances of your accident. Uber requires all of its drivers to carry their own auto insurance policies. If the Uber driver is at fault for your collision, his or her bodily injury liability insurance may pay for your present and future medical expenses. Note, however, that most personal auto insurance policies do not provide coverage for the commercial use of a vehicle.

New Jersey is also a no-fault state, which will affect your injury claim. As a crash victim in New Jersey, you will first seek coverage from your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of who caused the ridesharing accident. If you have a serious or permanent injury, scarring, or disfigurement, however, you may be able to file a claim with another party’s insurer. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in Jersey City may be able to help.

Call Our Uber Accident Consultation in Jersey City

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident, contact our attorneys for help. Uber and other ridesharing accident claims are complicated. You may be able to file an insurance claim or injury lawsuit against multiple parties, including the Uber driver, Uber or Lyft, or a third party. The best way to fully protect your rights and navigate the legal system is by hiring an attorney in Jersey City to represent you.

At Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, we have years of experience handling Uber accident injury claims. We’ve been representing injured victims in these claims since the advent of the ridesharing industry. Find out how we can help you and your family today. Call (201) 997-0030 to begin your case with a free initial consultation.