Ridesharing Accident Attorneys in New Jersey
Since Uber was founded in 2009, ridesharing has become a rapidly important industry that has revolutionized transportation options, particularly for those living in large urban areas. The convenience and affordability of being able to connect with a driver that is just minutes away through your smartphone have allowed Uber and Lyft to skyrocket to valuations of $70 and $11 billion, respectively.
Despite the fact that ridesharing services have quickly become a crucial component of everyday life for many Americans, ridesharing crashes have presented new legal issues for crash victims that require the help of trained legal counsel with experience dealing with cases involving rideshare accidents. A rideshare crash attorney in New Jersey at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC can help you pursue a case and protect your right to compensation.
Facts About Rideshare Safety
One typical argument that is levied by ridesharing companies is that ridesharing makes the roads safer. Many people will claim that ridesharing decrease the rates of drunk driving, decreasing the risk of being injured by an intoxicated motorist, and self-driving vehicles will reduce the errors made by human drivers on the nation’s roadways.
There are many studies and ample evidence that shows this may just be a marketing myth. In just Massachusetts, thousands of rideshare drivers were banned from Lyft and Uber for violent offenses, sexual assault, and driving infractions. The majority of these bands were due to driver’s license suspensions, in fact.
As far as the common argument that drunk driving can be reduced, the American Journal of Epidemiology has found that there is no notable impact in drunk driving fatalities that have been observed in cities with Uber.
Even the claim that the safer future of self-driving vehicles is skeptical at best, with many self-driving cars being involved in collisions. Essentially, many crashes happen that impact passengers of rideshare services, as well as third-party pedestrians or drivers.
One key element of ridesharing companies creates significant legal issues when these crash victims pursue an injury claim for compensation.
Pursuing an Injury Claim After a Ridesharing Claim
Both Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage, and the companies also mandate that their drivers carry personal auto insurance coverage for their private vehicles. This may seem like a great plan on the surface, as though pursuing compensation for a rideshare crash is very much similar to typical car crashes from the standpoint of the victim.
Sadly, pursuing compensation is much more complicated because these companies tend to classify their drivers as independent contractors and not direct employees. This key distinction matters a good deal concerning the rideshare company’s legal argument when trying to avoid providing a payout to crash victims.
These companies attempt to place distance between themselves and the wrongdoing of one of their drivers operating as an independent contractor. This effectively means that the company is claiming the injured passenger or third-party has no valid claim against the ridesharing company — and has no right to its $1 million liability coverage. If this argument is a success at trial, it could mean that the crash victim would have their options for potential compensation for their damages limited tremendously.
Given that ridesharing companies have been around for less than ten years, there is little case law on these types of accidents. Certain courts have found arguments trying to limit a ridesharing company’s liability effective, while others have not.
This means that crash victims are placed in a legal gray area. This is why crash victims need the help of a New Jersey ridesharing crash attorney who will build a strong case on the evidence, ensuring that a victim’s rights are secured and that the maximum compensation is pursed through a settlement or at trial.
Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC Represents the Victims of Ridesharing Accidents
If you or a family member has been injured in a ridesharing crash, you should know that the actions you take are the same as any type of collision. Essentially, victims should file a police report, collect photographic evidence, and other key information at the scene of the crash. Victims of a rideshare accident should seek medical attention while making sure all injuries after the accident are documented thoroughly.
This information will help our team best represent your legal rights and create the strongest case that is capable of going up against the complexities of rideshare crash liability. Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC is committed to protecting the legal rights of ridesharing crash victims and pursuing the maximum legal compensation until a fair settlement offer has been reached or the case is resolved in court.
Give us a call today to discuss your rideshare crash with of our New Jersey Uber/Lyft accident lawyers.
Uber/Lyft Car Crash Lawyers in New Jersey
There have been recent studies establishing a link between the creation of Uber and an increase in roadway fatalities in the United States. Across the country, traffic fatalities have increased, with some sources reporting a 2 to 3% rise. This means an additional 1,100 people are dying annually, but why this is the case is not exactly clear at this time. More Uber drivers mean that there are more cars on the road and more miles being driven, and many drivers for Uber and Lyft are not provided the necessary training to make sure that they will not put their passengers in danger.
Those who are injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle should consult with an Uber/Lyft crash lawyer in New Jersey immediately in order to better understand their legal options. The legal team at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC is here to help you make sure that your case is treated fairly and that the liable driver is held accountable for his or her actions. We will fight to make sure that you recover the compensation you deserve so that your life can get back on track. Contact our personal injury law offices today at (201) 997- 0030 if you or a loved one has been unfairly injured in a crash involving a rideshare driver.
