With more people in Union County relying on rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, an increasing  number of rideshare accidents is inevitable. If you have been injured in one of these crashes, you might be wondering about your next steps. How can you pursue compensation for your medical bills, missed wages, and emotional distress? Is Uber or Lyft responsible for paying these costs? How can you hold these major tech companies accountable if you believe that a rideshare driver negligently caused your accident? With help from a rideshare accident lawyer in Union County, you can answer all of these questions. More importantly, you pursue justice and compensation with confidence.

How Can a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Union County, NJ, Help Me?

Union County covers the most area of any county in the state, spanning about 13.5 square miles. This makes transport challenging for many of Union County’s 575,000 residents – and rideshare apps have proven popular as a result. The County was established in 1857, and it was named after the winning side in the US Civil War.

A rideshare accident attorney in Union County can assist you in many ways after an accident. Their assistance begins during a consultation. This is an initial meeting with a lawyer, and it gives you the chance to explain your situation. You can also ask any questions you might have about personal injury law, insurance, and other factors. After this meeting, your lawyer will likely recommend the most appropriate course of action. Remember, you are under no obligation to work with a lawyer after meeting with them – and you’re free to consult with numerous personal injury lawyers before choosing a particular law firm.

After your consultation, your lawyer may take various steps on your behalf. They may investigate your accident and recover evidence of negligence. They might also work directly with your doctors to obtain medical records, diagnoses, and prognoses. After collecting this evidence, they may negotiate a settlement on your behalf. An effective lawyer will remain in close communication with you during this process – and they will never make important decisions without your permission.

You should know that plaintiffs pay their injury lawyers with “contingency fees.” With this system, you will not need to pay your lawyer unless you actually win compensation. If you never win compensation, you do not need to pay anything. If you receive a settlement, your lawyer will take a pre-determined percentage as payment. Thanks to this system of contingency fees, plaintiffs encounter very little financial risk as they pursue settlements from Uber or Lyft.

Examples of Rideshare Accidents in Union County, NJ

To understand rideshare accidents in Union County, it makes sense to consider a few potential examples:

  • A Whiplash Rideshare Accident: You might have suffered whiplash after being rear-ended by a rideshare vehicle. Because this is not seen as a particularly serious injury, you may turn to New Jersey’s no-fault car insurance system for compensation. This should cover your medical bills – including any doctor appointments, chiropractic sessions, physiotherapy, or massage therapy. In addition, you can take time off work while recovering – and you should get compensation for missed wages. However, this no-fault claim cannot provide compensation for non-economic damages – such as PTSD or depression.
  • A TBI Rideshare Accident: In another theoretical accident, you might have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after being t-boned by a Lyft driver at an intersection. After seeking treatment, doctors may inform you that you will encounter permanent, life-altering health issues for the rest of your life. Your brain injury may make it challenging to work, and you might have no other choice but to quit.

You might also face years of rehabilitation sessions as you re-learn how to communicate effectively. As the years go by, you may also notice certain personality changes triggered by brain damage – and this may prove highly distressing from a psychological perspective. In this situation, your lawyer might help you file a personal injury lawsuit and sue Lyft directly. A successful lawsuit of this nature would provide you with compensation for non-economic and economic damages. 

  • A Multi-Vehicle Rideshare Accident: Another collision might involve you being struck by numerous vehicles as a pedestrian. For example, a drunk driver might have hit you – causing you to fall onto the road. A distracted driver may have subsequently run over your legs – causing crippling injuries. In this situation, your lawyer could help you hold both negligent drivers accountable. Both Uber/Lyft and the drunk driver may be responsible for paying your damages.
  • A Bicycle Rideshare Accident: Cyclists commonly face impacts from rideshare vehicles. In particular, “dooring” accidents have proven quite dangerous. This occurs when a passenger or rideshare driver suddenly flings open their vehicle door. With no time to react, a cyclist may impact the door and suffer catastrophic injuries. Often, cyclists travel in bike lanes moments before these dooring accidents.

Find an Experienced Union County Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you have been searching for an experienced rideshare accident attorney in Union  County, NJ, look no further than the Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC. With our help, you can strive for the compensation you need and deserve after a rideshare accident. We know that the aftermath of a serious collision can be both confusing and traumatic – but you are not alone on the road to recovery. With our help, you can gain access to the best possible medical treatment while covering every cent of your healthcare bills. To discuss your legal options in more detail, book a consultation at your earliest convenience.