East Hanover Uber Accident Lawyers

Responsive New Jersey Uber Accident Attorneys Help Injured Riders in East Hanover

San Franciso-based Uber offers rideshare services in 570 cities worldwide, including many cities’ busy metropolitan areas. The company began offering rides at the Jersey Shore in 2013 and has since expanded into many New Jersey communities. Today, Uber drivers serve residents throughout East Hanover Township in New Jersey and surrounding areas.

Through the Uber app, riders can hail a vehicle driven by its own driver, or they can rent a vehicle for local use. Uber drivers are a common sight on East Hanover roads. 

While the service can offer convenience, it can also cause issues. When an Uber vehicle experiences an accident, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible – and who should pay the costs of your injuries. If you’ve been injured in an East Hanover Uber crash, talk to an experienced Uber accident attorney today. 

Uber Accident Statistics in New Jersey

Uber commands most of the US rideshare market. The company provides about 71 percent of all rideshare rides nationwide. Competitor Lyft accounts for about 29 percent of all rides. 

Uber launched in 2009 and has risen in popularity since. However, the company has also faced issues. For example, one study found that accident rates rise two to three percent in areas with many Uber drivers. 

Uber’s US Safety Report reveals that: 

• Uber’s app has 131 million monthly active users worldwide, placing more vehicles and people on public roads – and at risk of a crash. 
• Between 2019 and 2020, 91 Uber accidents led to a total of 101 deaths for drivers and passengers. Twenty people died in “fatal physical assaults” connected to Uber use as well. 
• Uber riders are more than twice as likely to be in urban areas as rural ones. In urban areas, the risk of a car accident also increases due to the higher number of vehicles on the road. 
• 70 percent of Uber riders wouldn’t be in a car otherwise. Uber use doesn’t replace drivers who would otherwise drive themselves. According to Uber, 70 percent of Uber users say they’d walk or bike instead of driving if Uber wasn’t available. Uber drivers respond to demand, creating more traffic congestion – and a higher risk of crashes. This demand typically peaks during bad weather, which can also make a crash more likely. 

According to the Uber US Safety Report, “99.9% of trips on the Uber platform end without a safety incident.” The report doesn’t disclose how many total trips Uber examined to reach this conclusion, however. And the report says nothing about the devastating consequences of a crash for the 0.1 percent of passengers who experience one. 

Common Injuries in Uber-Related Accidents

Uber has several safety-related requirements for both drivers and vehicles. Drivers must be at least 21 years of age and have no record of DUI, reckless driving, or similar charges. Vehicles must be model year 2000 or newer and be equipped with seat belts and other essential safety gear for passengers.

Despite these safety requirements, injuries occur in Uber crashes each year. Safety equipment inside an Uber does little to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, or other drivers. And even the most careful Uber driver can end up in a crash if a careless, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent driver collides with the Uber vehicle. 

Uber accidents, like other car accidents, can cause many types of injuries. Often, injured riders or drivers experience several injuries in a single accident. These injuries can range from mild bumps and bruises to catastrophic brain, spinal cord, and other injuries. 

Common injuries in Uber-related vehicle accidents include:

• Brain and spinal cord injuries,
• Head, neck, and back injuries,
• Broken bones, strains, and sprains,
• Internal organ damage or internal bleeding,
• Scarring and disfigurement, and
• Psychological injuries. 

Uber use also poses a risk not seen in the average car accident: the risk of a physical or sexual assault. According to Uber’s US Safety report, in 2019 and 2020, twenty people were killed in a “fatal physical assault” linked to Uber use. This number jumped 18 percent over the 2017-18 total. During 2019 and 2020, Uber users also reported 3,824 sexual assaults during Uber rides. 

Determining Who Is Responsible for an Uber Crash

Assigning responsibility in an ordinary car accident is often simple. When two vehicles hit one another, each with its own driver, the number of parties who can be at fault for the crash is limited.

Not so in an Uber accident. In a crash involving an Uber, a resulting auto accident claim may include:

• The Uber driver. What was the Uber driver doing in the critical moments leading up to the crash? Does the driver bear any responsibility for causing the accident or making it worse? In any Uber case, the driver’s actions will be examined carefully.
• The Uber passenger or passengers. Passengers in the vehicle who distracted the driver or behaved unsafely may be assigned some responsibility for their own injuries. All passengers will also likely be asked about their experience, including what they remember and what they did in the moments leading up to the crash. 
• Occupants of any other vehicle involved in the crash. If the Uber collides with another vehicle, those in the other vehicle may bear some or all fault for the crash. This is more likely to be the case if the Uber driver was following traffic laws and rules at the time of the crash but was hit by a driver who wasn’t – for instance, a driver who ran a red light or who had been drinking. 
• Anyone else injured in the crash. For example, if an Uber driver collides with a bicyclist, a resulting case will raise questions about both the Uber driver’s behavior and the bicyclist’s behavior leading up to the crash. 
• The manufacturer of the Uber vehicle. Hidden auto defects can and do cause serious accidents. These defects may be impossible to spot until after a crash occurs. Questions about the vehicle’s safety might arise during a post-crash investigation, drawing the automaker into the case. 

Other parties who aren’t at fault for the crash can be drawn into an Uber accident claim as well. These parties include:

• The Uber driver’s auto insurance company. Uber requires its drivers to carry auto insurance. However, some insurance policies have special terms or exclusions that apply when the vehicle is used for ridesharing. Even a driver who has good coverage for their own driving may have less coverage when driving for Uber.
• Insurance companies for other drivers, passengers, or injured persons. For example, if you have auto insurance but you are riding in an Uber, your own insurance policy may apply to your situation as well. Your policy will include the terms and rules for such coverage if it exists. 
• Uber. Uber provides various types and amounts of insurance coverage for its drivers. This coverage is based on what the driver is doing at the time of the crash. For instance, one set of terms applies when the driver is on their way to pick up a passenger, and another set applies once a passenger is in the vehicle. 

Having all these levels of insurance coverage can sound like a good thing. In fact, it often makes Uber crash claims more complex. Each insurance company will try to pass responsibility for payments to another insurer, delaying the process of recovery – and leaving you with mounting bills and serious injuries. 

Why Hiring an Attorney Is Vital After an Uber Crash

Uber accident claims are often more complex than other car accident cases. You may find it difficult or impossible to get a straight answer from anyone. Your insurer may tell you to talk to the Uber driver’s insurer. The Uber driver’s insurer may tell you to talk to Uber. Uber may tell you to talk to the Uber driver’s insurer. And so on. Meanwhile, you already have a full plate in trying to recover from serious injuries.

If this sounds familiar, there is hope. An experienced East Hanover Uber accident attorney can tackle the task of dealing with insurance companies, freeing you to focus on healing. Your attorney can:

• Answer your questions and help you decide what to do next,
• Provide legal advice tailored to your specific situation and needs,
• Gather evidence and fight for your right to compensation, 
• Communicate with insurance companies and Uber on your behalf, representing your interests and protecting your legal rights, 
• Negotiate for a full, fair settlement in your case, and
• Prepare and take your case to trial, fighting for your rights and needs at each stage. 

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, our experienced legal team understands how tough it is to deal with insurance or prove your case when you’re already facing life-changing injuries. That’s why we’re here to help our clients every step of the way. To schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with one of our East Hanover Uber accident lawyers today, call us at 973-920-7900.