Plainfield residents often rely on rideshare apps to get around town, but what happens if your driver fails to get you to your destination safely? Companies like Uber and Lyft are responsible for your safety while you are in their drivers’ vehicles, and you can hold them accountable if you are injured during a ride. A rideshare accident attorney in Plainfield, New Jersey, can help you pursue legal action and seek the compensation you need to recover. Although the prospect of taking legal action might feel daunting, you are not alone in this struggle. How can a rideshare accident attorney help you, and what are your next steps in the legal process?

What Does a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Plainfield Do?

Also known as the “Queen City,” Plainfield is a significant hub in Union County with a population of about 50,000. Many Plainfield residents commute to work each day, often relying on rideshare vehicles to reach their destinations. While Uber and Lyft can certainly be convenient and quick, things get much more complicated when rideshare drivers are involved in car crashes. After being injured in a rideshare accident, victims should seek help from an experienced rideshare accident attorney.

Injured victims typically struggle with severe economic damages as a result of their accidents. For example, they often face astronomical medical bills, missed paychecks, loss of future income, rehabilitative treatment costs, and (in the case of a fatality), funeral expenses. In addition, victims may face serious psychological issues after an accident, such as PTSD, physical disfigurement, or amputation. Under New Jersey law, victims are allowed to pursue compensation from the parties responsible for their injuries. Your personal injury lawyer will help you hold Uber or Lyft liable for your injuries.

A rideshare accident attorney will help you pursue compensation that is sufficient to cover all of your losses. They will do this by gathering evidence, negotiating with rideshare companies, and representing you during a trial, if a trial is necessary. That said, trials are relatively rare in civil cases; most personal injury claims are resolved through negotiation. An experienced personal injury attorney will negotiate on your behalf, push back against offers that are not high enough to cover your losses, and make sure you receive a fair amount in damages.

Common Examples of Rideshare Negligence

In order to pursue maximum compensation after a rideshare crash, you have to establish that the other party was negligent in causing your accident and resulting injuries. In New Jersey, proving negligence in a rideshare accident requires proving four elements:

  • The rideshare company owed you a duty of care
  • The rideshare company breached that duty
  • The breach of that duty of care caused the accident
  • The accident resulted in your injuries

In simple terms, someone who is negligent did something wrong and caused an injury to someone else. So, what might negligence look like in the context of a rideshare accident?

One example of negligence is a driver committing some kind of traffic violation. This might be speeding, changing lanes without signaling, failing to yield, running through a red light, or improper merging. If a rideshare driver commits a traffic violation that results in your injury, then proving negligence is exponentially easier.

An unfortunately common example of a traffic infraction committed by rideshare drivers is distracted driving. Rideshare drivers are often distracted because they must carefully monitor their apps during rides. They are relying on GPS to navigate through unfamiliar surroundings, and if they do not keep an eye on their app, they may miss fares and opportunities to earn more income. However, this often means that rideshare drivers do not always keep both eyes on the road.

You might argue that poor hiring practices by Uber and Lyft also represent a form of negligence. If Uber or Lyft allow a motorist with a terrible driving record to become a driver for the app, that hiring negligence could endanger the lives of Plainfield residents. For example, Uber might allow a driver with multiple past DUIs or previous driver’s license revocations to transport customers around the city.

What are the Different “Tiers” of Uber Liability Insurance?

The amount of money a victim can recover from a rideshare provider will depend on what was going on inside the vehicle at the time of the accident. Uber has different “tiers” of insurance coverage depending on the circumstances of the crash. Their full coverage applies if the rideshare driver was actively transporting a passenger or driving to a pick-up point at the moment of a crash. A lower level of coverage applies if the rideshare driver was “active” on the app but was waiting for a fare when a crash occurred. Uber and Lyft typically avoid all liability if their driver was not active on the app or engaged in non-work-related activities at the time of the crash.

Contact Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC, Today

A rideshare accident attorney in Plainfield, New Jersey, should be able to help if you are struggling with injuries after a crash. These legal professionals can negotiate with big companies like Uber and Lyft on your behalf. At Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC, we are committed to advocating for the rights of victims injured in Uber or Lyft accidents. We also have plenty of experience negotiating with major insurance companies. Book your consultation today to learn more about how we can help you and your family.