Westfield Uber Accident Attorneys

Injured in an Uber Accident in Union County? Speak to an Experienced Westfield Uber Accident Lawyer Today

Located just 16 miles southwest of Manhattan, Westfield, New Jersey, has been ranked one of the 30 safest places to live in the United States. The town’s population has grown slowly but steadily since 2000.

Both residents and visitors appreciate Westfield’s vibrant downtown area. Shopping and dining venues in this area attract visitors from across New Jersey and New York. Westfield’s historic public library, its numerous parks, and other amenities also make it a popular destination.

Many visitors to Westfield may use Uber and other rideshare services to get around town. As Uber vehicles crowd onto New Jersey roads, however, the risks of severe accidents also increase. If you’ve been injured in a Westfield Uber accident, speak to an experienced Union County personal injury lawyer today. The team at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm has the experience and focus you need to protect your rights. 

What Makes Uber Accidents Dangerous?

A 2017 study found that traffic rates increase by about three percent in places that attract lots of rideshare vehicles. The study also found Uber drivers travel an extra 2.6 miles per trip, compared to those who use their own cars. Added traffic congestion raises the risk of serious injury for everyone on the road.

• Uber’s 2021-2022 safety report highlights some of the dangers associated with Uber use. 
• For instance, in 2021 and 2022, Uber reported 153 motor vehicle accident deaths, 36 deaths from physical assault, and 2,717 cases of sexual assault connected to Uber use.
• An additional 110 million safety complaints were lodged during this time.
• Uber’s safety reports may claim that Uber vehicles are connected to fatal crashes fewer than one hundred times per year. 

However, independent studies place the number much higher. One study, accounting for added traffic congestion, estimates that ridesharing raises the annual roadway death toll by 1,107 deaths per year. Rates of serious injury likely rise as well. 

Uber Driver Requirements

Of Uber’s 110 million received safety complaints in 2021-2022, many focused on unsafe driving behavior by the Uber driver. Even when this behavior didn’t cause a crash, it raised the risk of injury for everyone on the road. 

One reason Uber’s drivers may not handle vehicles safely is that Uber does not require or provide specialized training. Instead, the company requires only four things of its drivers in New Jersey:

• Minimum age: An Uber driver in New Jersey must be at least 21 years old.
• Driving experience: To drive for Uber in New Jersey, a driver must have at least three years of experience driving.
• Insurance: A New Jersey Uber driver must carry New Jersey’s minimum motor vehicle insurance. 
• Background check: A driver must pass an initial background check, performed by Uber, before being approved to drive. 

Once Uber approves a driver, the company does not provide additional training, oversight, or ongoing background checks. 

How a Lawyer Can Help You Handle an Uber Crash Lawsuit

Uber accidents can be more complex than other accidents. Insurance, time limits, and questions of fault can affect the pursuit of compensation. To learn how New Jersey’s laws and rules apply to your case, talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Westfield.

Navigating Insurance

Uber offers insurance coverage for its rides. However, coverage types and limits vary, depending on the circumstances of a crash. 

As in any car accident, insurance companies may delay, deny, or push back. They may provide “lowball” offers of settlement amounts that don’t fully compensate you for your injuries and other losses. 

An experienced attorney helps level the playing field, presenting a full picture of the evidence and fighting to protect your rights to full, fair compensation. 

Time Limits

Both Uber’s insurance and other insurers set time limits on filing insurance claims. These claims may be as short as a month or two, far shorter than New Jersey’s two-year time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Time moves quickly when you’re dealing with serious injuries or the loss of a loved one. An attorney can help you ensure you meet vital deadlines. 

Compensation

A personal injury case or settlement can help compensate you for losses suffered in an Uber-related crash. 

Whether the Uber driver, another driver, or someone else was at fault, your claim can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and related losses. 

Your losses are unique, and so is your compensation. Speak to an attorney to learn more about your options. 

Speak to an Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer in Westfield, New Jersey Today!

A car accident burdens you with serious injuries, grief over the loss of a loved one, or both. Handling a personal injury lawsuit can feel impossible – and you don’t have to do it alone. 

Speak to the experienced Westfield Uber accident attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.