What to Do If You Are Injured in a Car Accident with Uber or Lyft?

If you are injured in a vehicle driven by an Uber or Lyft driver, you might assume you can sue the company that employs that driver. This assumption is incorrect. An injury stemming from an accident in which you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle is more complicated than a regular auto accident.

You need a skilled attorney on your side to sue the appropriate party, gather evidence, formulate a rock-solid legal strategy and negotiate with insurance representatives or opposing counsel. Our New Jersey car accident attorneys are here to help. If you are involved in an auto accident, contact us for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Our services are provided on a contingency fee basis. If we do not win your case, you will not pay a penny.

After an Uber Accident

If you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle that collides with another vehicle, person or property, try your best to remain calm. Here is how you should proceed:

• Write down the name of the Uber driver, driver(s) of other vehicles involved in the accident and eyewitnesses
• Record the contact information of the driver(s) and eyewitnesses including phone numbers and email addresses
• Record the auto insurance details of all drivers involved in the accident
• Take photos of the Uber vehicle, other vehicles involved in the accident and the accident scene, along with a screenshot of your ride receipt
• Contact the police so an official report can be filed
• Obtain medical assistance for your injuries
• Contact our personal injury attorneys to get the ball rolling on your quest for justice

The assistance of an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer will prove important in the aftermath of an Uber accident. We will take care of all the legal work while you focus on recovering from your injuries. This is your chance to obtain the treatment you need for your physical injuries and put your mind at ease following this traumatizing accident. Our legal team will handle all the details of your case, including the legal paperwork, evidence, eyewitness interviews, negotiations, court hearings and so on. Your sole focus should be recovering and eventually returning to work.

Liability for an Uber Accident

Most people assume Uber or Lyft can be sued following an accident involving one of their drivers. However, the drivers employed by these companies are independent contractors. They are not employees of the ride-sharing companies. Therefore, the ride-sharing company can deny all liability for the accident as well as physical, mental and emotional pain imposed on you or others involved in the crash.

In the vast majority of instances, the driver is sued rather than the ride-sharing company. This is due to the fact that it is nearly impossible to hold the ride-sharing company liable for the actions of one of its independent contractors.

If you have medical bills related to the accident and it is determined the ride-sharing driver’s negligence caused the crash, you will be covered under the Uber or Lyft $1 million liability policy. However, this insurance coverage will not kick in unless the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company denies the claim or if the driver lacks insurance or has insufficient insurance.

If a different driver (not the Uber/Lyft driver) is at fault, that negligent driver’s insurance policy will cover your related expenses.

If a lawsuit must be filed, the at-fault driver will be sued rather than the ride-sharing company. Though an Uber or Lyft driver probably will not have the financial means to cover the cost of your medical bills and other expenses related to the accident, the ride-share company’s insurance policy referenced above will likely cover such costs.

Though it is highly unlikely that a lawsuit against the ride-sharing company will be filed, it is possible in certain instances. Our attorneys will handle all the details pertaining to your claim and possible lawsuit.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

It is clear that the aftermath of an auto accident involving a vehicle driven by an Uber or Lyft driver is not as straightforward as most assume. Our personal injury attorneys are here to guide you through this legal maze. Let us review the details of your accident, develop a legal strategy and pursue justice on your behalf. We will sweat all the details like interviewing eyewitnesses, gathering evidence and meeting court deadlines so you can return your life to normalcy. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Call (800) 518-0508 today.