Uber Accident Claims and How an Uber Accident Lawyer Can Help
Rideshare services like Uber are incredibly popular in New York City, with hundreds of thousands of people taking rides every day. Ubers are a convenient and efficient way to get around the boroughs. However, Ubers are not immune to traffic accidents, and Uber accidents have become increasingly common as more rideshare vehicles hit the streets of NYC.
So, what happens if you are in an Uber car accident?
Here’s an overview of how to file an Uber accident lawsuit and hire an Uber accident lawyer to pursue your case.
Can You Sue Uber for an Accident?
Yes, you can sue Uber for an accident. However, the details of your Uber crash will dictate if you should sue the Uber company, your Uber driver, or another at-fault party.
If your Uber driver was on the clock and actively transporting a passenger at the time of an accident, then you should consider suing the Uber company for any injuries you suffered from the Uber car accident.
Uber’s insurance program requires Uber drivers to maintain auto liability insurance on their vehicles while driving for Uber. The coverage en route to pick up a customer and during a trip includes third-party liability, contingent comprehensive and collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. The third-party liability coverage can be very significant but varies by state and circumstance.
However, if you are in your own personal vehicle and hit by an Uber driver who was not carrying a customer or who was off the clock, it may be best to file a claim against that driver rather than the Uber company. The company typically denies claims against them if the Uber driver didn’t have a passenger when the accident occurred.
Key Considerations in Uber Accident Claims
As with all auto accidents, you must be able to prove fault in your Uber crash to hold the correct person or entity accountable for injuries and damages caused. You may also be injured in an Uber accident, but someone else besides your driver caused the accident.
Proving fault after an Uber accident can be complex, as the company is beyond capable of hiring aggressive defense attorneys to avoid responsibility and argue that an at-fault driver is not technically its employee. Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors who operate independently while using the company’s technology platform.
Hire an Uber Accident Lawyer
Pursuing a case against a powerful, prominent company like Uber often requires expert legal arguments and extensive evidence. An Uber accident lawyer can help you navigate this process and understand Uber’s insurance policies as they relate to the circumstances of your Uber crash.
Remember that you are not alone if you are involved in an Uber accident. The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum is experienced with Uber accident claims, and we know what it takes to hold negligent parties accountable and bring them to justice.
But don’t delay seeking help because a statute of limitations of three years applies to Uber accident lawsuits in New York. Promptly seeking the advice of an Uber accident lawyer will ensure that the relevant evidence is still available, witness memories are still fresh, and filing deadlines are met so that you don’t miss out on your legal right to compensation.
For your free Uber crash consultation, please call us 24/7 at 718-237-5586 or contact us online.