Belleville, NJ Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Victims of Uber and Lyft accidents could be entitled to substantial financial compensation for their injuries. However, getting that compensation can be difficult.
It can be difficult to determine which driver was at fault for your crash, and insurance companies may be unwilling to cooperate and pay you the damages you are owed. In many cases, hiring an injury attorney to represent you can help pressure defendants to settle. If settlements cannot be reached, our attorneys may be able to take your Uber or Lyft accident case to court.
If you were hurt in a car accident in Belleville, NJ, call our Belleville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers for help today. At The Carrion Law Firm, we offer free case reviews. Contact us at (718) 841-0083.
Determining Fault in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Belleville, NJ
There are multiple potential parties that could be at fault for an Uber or Lyft accident. In most cases, the culprit is going to be one of the drivers. Depending on how the accident happened, you could be entitled to file your case against multiple potential parties.
The following are all potential parties that our Belleville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers could be able to file a claim against for your accident and injuries. These possibilities apply whether you were injured as a passenger, a driver, a biker, a pedestrian, or even the Uber or Lyft driver involved in the crash.
The Uber/Lyft Driver
In many cases where Uber or Lyft riders are injured in a crash, the accident could be their driver’s fault. This means holding the Uber or Lyft driver liable for the accident.
These drivers are always required to carry their own personal driver’s insurance as well as rideshare insurance. On top of this, they should be covered by Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies, which often cover up to $1 million per accident. This leaves you with a lot of insurance money to file your claim against if you were injured, but a lawsuit might still be necessary to get full compensation.
Uber and Lyft
In many cases, you might think that Uber and Lyft could be held liable for their driver’s mistakes. After all, other employers like trucking companies or bus companies are often liable for their drivers’ mistakes.
Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft insulate themselves from lawsuits by hiring drivers as independent contractors and not employees. This shifts all liability to the driver. However, the companies could still be liable in rare cases for issues like negligent hiring and retention of dangerous drivers. In many cases, you may still be able to file a claim against their insurance even if you cannot file a lawsuit against the companies.
Another Driver
Some Uber and Lyft accidents involve drivers crashing into stationary objects, so there is only one driver you could possibly blame. Others involve two or more cars, which opens up the possibility that the accident could be the other driver’s fault. In some cases, you and your Uber/Lyft driver could both be victims, and both of you could be entitled to seek damages from the other driver.
Often, car accidents are caused by more than one driver making a mistake. If you were a passenger in either vehicle, you could be able to hold each driver responsible for their own share of fault in causing the accident.
If you were, in fact, the other driver, then you could be held partially liable, but the rest of your damages could still be paid by the at-fault Uber or Lyft driver as long as you were 50% or less at fault. Our Belleville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help determine fault and argue that the driver who hit you was the one primarily responsible for the crash.
Other Parties
In rare circumstances, other parties not directly involved with the crash could share responsibility. This sometimes involves holding road construction companies liable for dangerous conditions on the road or holding auto manufacturers liable for defective auto parts.
Damages for Uber and Lyft Accidents in Belleville, NJ
When you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, there is a wide range of damages you could be entitled to claim. The damages that are available in most insurance claims are different than those you can claim in a lawsuit, so it is important to talk to your Belleville Uber and Lyft accident lawyers about what damages are available in your case and how to maximize damages.
New Jersey uses no-fault insurance, which pays damages for medical bills and lost wages after an accident. These damages are paid by your own insurance if you were driving your own car when you were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver. If you were hurt as a passenger or pedestrian, your driver’s insurance covers you. This means that if you were riding in an Uber or Lyft when you were involved in a crash, the Uber or Lyft driver’s no-fault PIP insurance (personal injury protection) should cover.
The problem with PIP coverage is that it only pays for economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages. It will not cover important non-economic damages like pain and suffering. However, if you have severe injuries, you could be entitled to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance for any damages related to your crash. You could also be entitled to file a lawsuit.
Uber and Lyft each have insurance that should cover you in the event of a crash, potentially at a higher rate than most minimum insurance. However, their insurance companies might try to drive down the cost of your case and might not compensate you in full. In many cases, filing a lawsuit is the best way to get full damages for your injuries. Your Belleville Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can analyze your case and help determine the best course of action to get you compensation.
Call Our Belleville Uber and Lyft Accident Injury Attorneys Today
If you were hurt in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft, call The Carrion Law Firm today for a free case review with our Belleville Uber and Lyft accident attorneys. Our number is (718) 841-0083.