New Jersey Uber Accident Lawyers
Tough and Unrelenting Uber Injury Attorneys in Chatham, NJ Fight for You and Protect Your Rights in Rideshare Accident and Personal Injury Cases in Morris County, Hudson County, Somerset County, Union County, and Throughout New Jersey
Uber has revolutionized the transportation industry, and the service has become a household name for users all across New Jersey. The name has also become synonymous with ease, convenience, and hassle-free travel. Despite the obvious benefits of being able to hail a ride wherever you are with the press of a few buttons, the growth of ridesharing has led to a sizable increase in traffic accidents across the board. What happens if you are involved in an accident as either an Uber driver, an Uber passenger, or a third-party road user? While using Uber is simple, determining who may be financially responsible for your accident is not always so. Speak with the experienced New Jersey Uber accident lawyers at Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari today to learn more about how we can help you after an Uber accident.
Rideshare Accident Facts
According to the NHTSA, there were approximately 43,000 motor vehicle accident deaths in the United States in 2022 – that’s almost 120 deaths every single day. Of these, approximately 110 deaths per year involve Uber vehicles. In an attempt to quantify the losses stemming directly from ridesharing vehicle services, a study from the University of Chicago found that ridesharing caused over $9 billion in losses due to higher motor vehicle accident fatalities every year.
Some of the leading causes of Uber accidents include:
- Cell phone usage
- General distraction
- Unfamiliarity with different areas
- Overwork and driver fatigue
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Poor driver training
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate driver screening
Uber drivers rely on smart devices such as mobile phones and GPS to find passengers. Even when transporting one client, many Uber drivers often search for their next ride while driving and can be tempted to speed or drive more aggressively to maximize their daily revenue.
Because of this, it is much more important that you speak to our Uber injury attorneys in Chatham, NJ for assistance with your case. Car accidents are always frightening, and if you or a loved one is injured, you may have the added burden of paying for medical treatment, missing work, or caring for an injured family member. There is no reason you should have to bear these costs if your accident was caused by the recklessness or negligence of someone else, so contact our New Jersey Uber accident lawyers today for reliable and trustworthy guidance with your case.
Insurance, Coverage, and Fault in Uber Accidents
Uber provides comprehensive insurance coverage to its drivers and riders. However, what makes Uber accidents particularly challenging is the fact that you cannot resort to Uber’s insurance if, as a driver, your app is offline, your device is off, or if you are traveling while not actively headed toward a client or actively transporting a client. If an accident occurs during any of these times, you will have to use your personal insurance to cover any losses. The same applies if you are struck by an Uber driver who is not transporting someone or whose app is off. You can only recover from Uber’s coverage if the Uber driver’s app is on, they are online, and they are headed toward a fare or are actively transporting someone to their destination.
According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, all drivers in New Jersey are required to have:
- Liability insurance to pay others for damages (except medical expenses) that you cause if you are responsible for an accident.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) to cover medical expenses if you or other people covered under your policy are injured in an accident. This is also known as “no-fault” coverage.
- Uninsured motorist coverage to cover your losses if you have an accident with someone who does not have adequate insurance coverage.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), New Jersey has one of the lowest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. However, on the off chance that you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured Uber driver who is not covered by Uber, you may face thousands of dollars in losses. Protect yourself from this possibility and speak with our Uber injury attorneys in Chatham, NJ today for guidance and representation in your Uber accident case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Injury Cases in Chatham, NJ
As outlined above, it depends on which insurance policy or policies apply to your case. If Uber is liable, you can seek up to $1.5 million based on the extent and severity of your losses and injuries. More serious injuries come with higher compensation payouts, and less serious injuries will have equally lower payouts. However, the challenge in any Uber accident case will be to determine who was at fault, how the accident in question occurred, and what insurance policies apply to your accident. Uber may refuse coverage or argue that the driver was not logged in or was not transporting a passenger when the accident occurred. You may even be partially to blame, such as if you made a driving mistake before the accident occurred. The best way to defend yourself from liability while seeking a fair settlement payout is to work with our skilled and dedicated Uber injury attorneys in Chatham, NJ.
First, speak with our New Jersey Uber accident lawyers. Based on the case facts, we will handle everything from evidence gathering to court and insurance filings for your accident. In general, however, when you want to file a claim after an accident, you must gather information on everyone involved in the accident, including their names, contact information, vehicle registration and license information, and insurance information. Next, you must verify whether or not a trip was in progress. This will have serious implications on how much insurance compensation you can seek from Uber. It can be difficult to obtain this information – not to mention the police reports, dashcam recordings, and eyewitness testimony needed to build a case. We are here for you, so schedule a free consultation with our New Jersey Uber accident lawyers today for proficient and highly-rated handling of your case.
