Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have exploded over the last few years, and more and more people are using these apps to get around. Unfortunately, even Uber and Lyft vehicles are vulnerable to crashes.
If you were involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you can sue the person responsible like any ordinary accident. Uber and Lyft accidents might happen much like any other accident. Traffic violations, distracted driving, and reckless drivers are all possible causes of accidents. When you take legal action, you can sue the driver of the Uber or Lyft car, other drivers involved in the crash, or multiple drivers. Your damages may include economic and non-economic losses, and our team can help you collect evidence to prove your claims. If you sue the Uber or Lyft driver, the ridesharing company might have insurance coverage that could apply to your case.
If you were injured in a crash involving a Lyft or Uber vehicle, our Paterson, NJ Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you get compensation. For a free case review, call Legal Care New Jersey at (732) 838-9769.
How Uber and Lyft Accidents Can Happen in Paterson, NJ
Car accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles tend to happen similarly to most other accidents. Traffic violations play a big role in many Uber and Lyft accidents. Drivers often try to get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible so they can pick up new passengers. As a result, many Uber and Lyft drivers speed or ignore lights or signs.
Distracted driving is a huge problem on the roads today, and the problem is particularly serious in Uber and Lyft accidents. Ridesharing drivers often rely on their phones to do their jobs. The ridesharing app must remain open on the driver’s phone and instructs where to pick up and drop off passengers. Drivers are often distracted by their phones and driving apps, and accidents might happen.
Reckless driving is another common cause of car accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles. In some cases, the ridesharing driver drives recklessly because they are trying to carry as many passengers as possible. In other cases, other drivers are the ones being reckless. Our Paterson, NJ Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can help you determine who and what caused the accident and your injuries.
Taking Legal Action After an Accident with an Uber or Lyft in Paterson, NJ
After an accident with a Lyft or Uber vehicle, you can take legal action to get compensation for your damages. Insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits are both potential options, but lawsuits tend to provide plaintiffs with greater damages that insurance might not normally cover. Our Paterson, NJ Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you explore legal options and get your case started.
Liability
Determining who you should sue after a crash is not as easy as some assume. In many cases, the Uber or Lyft driver is to blame. As mentioned before, uber and Lyft drivers sometimes speed or drive recklessly so they can pick up and drop off as many passengers as possible. Remember, you do not necessarily have to be a passenger in the Uber or Lyft vehicle to sue the Uber or Lyft driver. You can still sue if you were in another vehicle hit by the Uber or Lyft car.
The ridesharing driver is not always the one to blame. In many cases, other drivers are the ones driving recklessly or are distracted behind the wheel. It is important to remain at the scene of the accident, exchange information with other drivers, and speak to the police when they arrive. The police often conduct investigations and write reports about the crash that shed light on how the other driver caused the crash.
Liability sometimes does not fall on one person’s shoulders. Multiple drivers might be to blame if they all somehow contributed to the accident. These cases may be particularly complex, and our Paterson, NJ Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you.
Damages
When filing a lawsuit, we need to accurately assess the damages that we want the defendant to pay for. Economic damages are related to financial losses. Common economic damages in Uber and Lyft accidents include medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and the value of any damaged or destroyed personal belongings.
Non-economic damages are less precise and are tied to your personal, subjective experiences. Mental and emotional pain and suffering may be claimed as part of your non-economic damages. The more severe your physical injuries are, the greater your non-economic damages are likely to be. You can also claim damages for humiliation, and reduced quality of life if you experience permanent injuries.
Possible Insurance Coverage from Uber and Lyft After an Accident in Paterson, NJ
If you sue the Uber or Lyft driver involved in the accident, the driver might be covered by the ridesharing company’s insurance. The extent of this coverage varies depending on how the accident happened. Our Paterson, NJ Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help determine if this insurance coverage applies to your case.
If the ridesharing driver has the driving app turned off, they are not covered by Uber or Lyft’s insurance. If the app is not active during the ride, the driver is considered off-duty and may not be covered.
If the accident happened while the Lyft or Uber driver had the app turned on but was not engaged with a rider, they might be covered by insurance to a certain extent. Uber and Lyft both have insurance that might cover up to $50,000 per person for bodily injuries, $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
The maximum level of coverage might apply if the driver had the app turned on and had a passenger in the car or were on their way to pick up a passenger. In this circumstance, Uber or Lyft’s insurance might cover up to $1,000,000 for third-party liability. The insurance might also come with uninsured motorist coverage personal injury protection coverage, MedPay, or occupational accident coverage, depending on your case.
Remember, this insurance only covers the Lyft or Uber driver. So, if you are in an accident but another driver is responsible, and you sue them, this insurance would not apply. Our Paterson, NJ Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you hold negligent drivers responsible while also figuring out how insurance might affect your case.
Call Our Paterson, NJ Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
Accidents can send shockwaves across an injured victim’s entire life. Negligent drivers, including ridesharing drivers, should be held accountable. For a free case review, call our Paterson, NJ Uber and Lyft accident lawyers of Legal Care New Jersey at (732) 838-9769.
