Injured in an Uber Crash? Talk to an Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer in Hope Township, NJ Today

Hope Township is one of the earliest planned communities in the United States. Its history stretches back to 1769. Today, Hope Township remains a popular tourist destination and one of New Jersey’s many charming small towns.

Uber helps tourists and others travel in and around Hope Township. Uber offers convenience for riders. A rider opens the app, searches for nearby Uber drivers, and signals for a ride. A driver comes to pick up the rider and take them where they need to go.

Uber may be convenient, but it’s not risk-free. If you’ve been injured in an Uber-related crash, talk to an experienced attorney today. The team at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm can help.

Do Uber Vehicles Make Hope Township Roads More Dangerous?

Uber’s most recent safety report covers the years 2021 and 2022. In it, Uber highlights some of the risks involved in using rideshare services. For example, the report lists 153 crash deaths in Uber-related accidents in 2021 and 2022.

Independent studies also show that ridesharing makes the roads more dangerous. A 2017 study found that traffic rates are three percent higher in areas with lots of rideshare use. More vehicles on the road means a higher risk of a collision.

The study also found the average Uber driver travels an extra 2.6 miles per trip. These are miles a driver wouldn’t cover in their own vehicle. They include the time and distance an Uber driver covers to drop off one passenger and travel to the next. More time and distance on the roads means more traffic, which increases the risk of a crash.

Extra traffic means more risk of serious crashes and injuries. One study estimated that an extra 1,107 car crash deaths occur each year because of the three percent rise in traffic caused by rideshares.

What Does Uber Require From Its Drivers?

Uber doesn’t let everybody drive for the company. When a driver first signs up to drive for Uber, the company checks certain things. These include:

Age. Uber drivers must meet minimum age limits to drive for the company.

Driving time. A driver must have a minimum number of years of driving experience.

Insurance. Uber drivers must have insurance on their vehicles. The insurance must meet or exceed New Jersey’s auto insurance requirements.

Background check. Uber performs an initial background check before approving a driver.

Uber makes these checks when a driver first signs up. Once Uber approves the driver, however, the company doesn’t circle back to check up on them. Uber doesn’t perform any more background checks. The company doesn’t stay current on the driver’s history of tickets or other infractions. Also, Uber’s age and driving requirements allow relatively inexperienced drivers to work for Uber – increasing the risk of a crash.

Can a Hope Township Attorney Help Me After an Uber Crash?

You may struggle with serious injuries after an Uber crash. If a collision killed a loved one, you may bear the burden of grief and sudden loss.

Dealing with a car accident is tough even when you’re at your best. Uber cases pose special challenges. You may need to gather evidence – including evidence held by Uber itself. Time limits can sneak up on you. Proving who was at fault can be tough. With so much on your plate already, pursuing your case alone can feel impossible. You may not even know where to start.

You don’t have to do it alone. A dedicated Hope Township Uber accident lawyer can help. Talk to the team at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm today.

Some of the particular challenges of an Uber wreck case include dealing with insurance companies, meeting deadlines, and winning the compensation you need.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Uber requires its drivers to have minimum insurance coverage. Uber also provides insurance for its rideshare vehicles. However, Uber’s insurance has different limits, depending on what was happening when the crash occurred. Unraveling whether Uber’s insurance applies – and how much – can be tough.

For example, in any Uber case, you’ll need to know the answer to these three questions:

Was there a passenger in the car, or was the driver traveling to pick up a rider? This is when Uber’s highest insurance coverage limits and amounts apply. If there’s a passenger in the car or the driver is heading to pick one up, Uber’s top rates apply.

Was the driver logged into the app and waiting for a ride request? Uber’s insurance applies if the driver is logged into the app. However, if the driver is merely awaiting a ride request, the amount and type of coverage is different. To know exactly what insurance applies, you have to know exactly what the Uber driver was doing when the wreck happened.

Was the driver using the vehicle for personal business? If the driver is not logged into the app, and is driving for their own reasons, Uber’s insurance doesn’t apply. The driver’s own insurance may still cover the collision, however.

There’s also a fourth question to answer: “Does someone else’s insurance apply here?” For example, if another driver caused the crash, their insurance might cover some of your losses. Your own auto insurance might apply as well. One example is a hit and run collision. If you have uninsured/underinsured (UI/UIA) coverage, it might apply in a hit and run situation.

Navigating these questions can be tough. It’s even tougher when insurance companies try to protect their bottom lines. Insurers may not want to share information about their policies. They may argue that you’re not covered, even if you are. Without proof about what the Uber driver was doing, you may have no way to show that Uber’s insurance applies.

Delayed claims, denials, or attempts to accuse you of causing the crash are common insurance company tactics. When insurers do offer a settlement, it’s often too low to fully cover your current and future needs. Working with a dedicated Hope Township Uber crash lawyer can level the playing field – and help you get the compensation you need.

Meeting Deadlines

New Jersey sets a two-year time limit on filing injury cases in court. Cases that aren’t filed in two years cannot be brought to court.

This time limit affects lawsuits. It doesn’t require insurance companies to give you two years to file a claim, though. Many insurance companies have much shorter deadlines – sometimes, only a few months.

The best option? Speak to an experienced Uber accident lawyer as soon as you can. Your lawyer can also work to preserve evidence before it disappears. Many Uber cases rely on digital evidence, including Uber app records and surveillance or dashcam footage. An attorney can grab this evidence before it’s lost or overwritten. Acting quickly to preserve evidence helps build a strong case for the compensation you need.

Winning Compensation

Many people injured in Uber collisions wonder, “What is my case worth?” The total amount depends on your specific case. It’s unique to your injuries and how they affect your life.

However, many Uber crash injury cases in Hope Township seek compensation for similar losses. That’s because the losses from a car accident are often predictable.

For instance, if you were injured, you likely face medical bills. Diagnosis, treatment, hospital stays, ambulance bills, therapy and rehabilitation, prescription medication, medical devices, and other costs can pile up. If your injuries caused permanent disabilities, you may face future medical bills as well. An injury case can seek compensation for these losses.

Severe injuries demand close medical attention. Often, they require you to take time off work to heal. The wages you lose because you can’t be at work can be part of your compensation claim. Similarly, you can seek compensation if your injuries will limit or prevent you from working in the future.

Many car crashes cause property damage. From wrecked cars to broken cell phones, property lost or damaged in a crash can be compensated in a lawsuit.

Your physical and mental health and well-being are important. In a crash, they can be lost. Compensation for physical pain and suffering is a common part of Hope Township Uber crash cases. You may also seek compensation for mental and emotional anguish if you suffer psychological symptoms.

Every case is unique. The time of day, the place, how it happened, and how your injuries change your life are specific to you. To learn more about compensation in your case, talk to a committed Hope Township Uber accident attorney today.

Compassionate Uber Accident Lawyers in Hope Township

Nothing is the same after a car accident. You may struggle with serious injuries. Grief from the loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming. Paperwork, evidence, and other issues cause ongoing costs and trouble. You may worry about how you’re going to put food on the table. Will you still have a job – and will you be able to do it? How will your family cope? Can you hold a negligent party accountable for their actions? Who caused all this, anyway?

You don’t have to answer these questions alone. Talk to an experienced Hope Township Uber accident lawyer today. The team at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm can address your needs. We provide personalized, focused representation and support to our clients. To learn more, reach out to us today.