Jersey City Rideshare Accidents Lawyer
Using a rideshare app may be a simple and cost-effective way to get around New Jersey, but it is not always safe for riders. Every year, Uber and Lyft report thousands of car accidents involving their drivers. Rideshare drivers are just as likely to be negligent or reckless as ordinary motor vehicle drivers.
An Uber or Lyft accident claim, however, is different from a traditional car accident case in New Jersey. You may need an experienced attorney to guide you through the legal process. A rideshare accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C. can help you understand and protect your rights as an injured victim.
We have extensive experience representing clients in this practice area and can handle even the most complicated rideshare accident case. We understand how devastating these collisions can be for our clients, and are here to help. Contact us today to start with a free case consultation.
Why Choose Us?
- Our personal injury lawyers have over 90 years of combined experience. We provide the highest level of legal representation to Uber and Lyft accident victims and their families.
- Your lawyer will be dedicated to pursuing the best possible case results. Our lawyers have successfully resolved thousands of personal injury claims and recovered millions for clients.
- We are trial attorneys who are not afraid of going up against powerful adversaries, including rideshare companies and their insurance corporations, in court to demand justice.
When to Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in New Jersey
The legal implications of a rideshare accident can be more complicated than a crash involving a personal vehicle or traditional taxicab. Determining liability and proving fault after an Uber or Lyft accident can be difficult. The recovery process is not made easier by insurance companies, which are known for rejecting valid claims and offering the lowest possible settlements to claimants. Furthermore, Uber and Lyft have a history of denying liability for accidents involving their drivers.
The best way to protect your rights as a rideshare accident victim is to hire a car accident lawyer in New Jersey to represent you. A lawyer can negotiate with an insurance claims adjuster on your behalf to pursue maximum financial compensation for a serious injury. A law firm will have the ability to investigate your rideshare collision, determine fault, collect evidence, hire qualified experts, interview witnesses, obtain copies of police reports and take other steps to resolve your claim – all while you concentrate on healing from your injuries.
Why Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?
Ridesharing is a relatively new mode of transportation. Since Uber and Lyft began taking riders, however, they have been at the center of controversy. The nature of this industry exposes the public to risks that do not apply to traditional taxi companies, such as the fact that rideshare drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. This means that rideshare companies are not as invested in training their drivers, and often avoid liability for car accidents.
Uber and Lyft are notorious for their lax driver hiring practices, with driver background checks that go back only the prior seven years. This means that a driver who had a driving under the influence conviction could be accepting riders just a few years later. In addition, rideshare drivers are expected to access and use their cell phones while driving in order to accept new rides. This encourages distracted driving and can contribute to car accidents. Negligent, reckless and dangerous rideshare drivers can cause deadly car accidents.
Who Pays for a Rideshare Accident in New Jersey?
New Jersey already has complicated car accident and insurance laws as a no-fault state. When you add a rideshare company and its insurance policy to the mix, making a fair financial recovery can be even more difficult. Both Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in insurance coverage to victims of rideshare accidents. However, not all crash victims qualify for this coverage. The amount available depends on the ride period.
Period 1, when the rideshare driver has logged into the app and is active but has not yet picked up a rider, provides up to $50,000 in bodily injury insurance per person, $100,000 in bodily injury insurance per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability insurance to victims in a covered accident. In Periods 2 and 3, when a driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up a rider or already has a passenger in the car, the full $1 million is available to cover medical bills and property damage suffered by victims.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
If you get involved in a rideshare accident in New Jersey, try to remain calm and take the following steps to protect yourself and your legal rights:
- Check yourself and everyone else involved in the accident for injuries. Keep in mind that you could be injured but not feel it right away due to your adrenaline.
- Call 911 to inform law enforcement of the Uber or Lyft accident if one of the drivers has not already called.
- Remain at the scene until you have exchanged information with the rideshare driver, the driver of the other vehicle and any witnesses.
- Take photographs of the accident scene before you leave, as well as screenshots of your rideshare app screen that shows the ride and driver information.
- Report the collision to Uber or Lyft through the app, website or customer service line. Do not accept an insurance settlement from the company, however, until you have spoken to an attorney.
Consult with a rideshare accident lawyer if you suffered catastrophic injuries or are struggling to collect fair compensation from a rideshare company after your crash. You may be entitled to more than the insurer initially offers.
Contact an Experienced New Jersey Rideshare Accident Attorney
You have rights as the victim of a rideshare accident in New Jersey. Protect them by contacting the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C. as soon as possible after your crash. The clock is ticking on your right to file a car accident under New Jersey’s statute of limitations. State law mandates that you file within two years of the date of your injury, with limited exceptions.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, contact us right away for a free case consultation. We care about our clients and can guide you through the steps of a complicated rideshare accident case.