Steps to Take if You Are Injured in a Rideshare Accident This Holiday Season
Rideshares are often considered a safe alternative to driving during the holidays. You can always call rideshare when you have had too much to drink or are too tired from the holiday fun to get behind the wheel. What happens then when you’re in a rideshare accident? What if you decide to pick some extra money during the holidays by working for Uber or Lyft, and you and your passenger are in an accident? The laws on rideshare accidents are still somewhat newer, and you may find that it’s not always easy to navigate them without the help of an experienced car accident attorney.
Who’s Responsible When a Rideshare Accident Happens?
Liability in a rideshare accident depends on a number of factors, including what caused the accident, if negligence was at play, or who was involved in the accident. Rideshare accidents can typically be put into three categories:
The Rideshare Accident Was Caused by Another Driver
Other drivers can cause rideshare accidents. This may occur when another driver is speeding and runs into you. During the holidays, it could also be due to a drunk driver. Common accidents caused by other drivers include rear-end and sideswipe accidents. In these cases, it’s usually the other driver’s responsibility.
The Rideshare Accident Was Caused by the Driver
A rideshare driver can also cause an accident. If the rideshare driver is under the influence or texting and driving, they may be to blame. A rideshare driver who causes an accident may be liable for a lawsuit, and they may lose their ability to work for the rideshare company. Rideshare passengers usually turn to rideshares as a safer alternative.
The Rideshare Accident Was Caused by a Third-Party
While less common, it’s possible for rideshare accidents to occur from a person or entity besides other drivers or the rideshare driver. This may occur when the local county fails to properly maintain the roads, which ends up causing an accident.
It’s not always easy to pinpoint who’s responsible when any accident occurs. It may be even more difficult with rideshare accidents. Each driver’s insurance company may try to place the blame on the other party to limit their liability.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
You should always report a rideshare accident. This creates an official police report that you may use to file an insurance claim or seek additional compensation through a third-party lawsuit. Report the rideshare accident to the local police and the company. Reporting an accident with Uber or Lyft is usually easy and can be done online.
If you were the rideshare driver at the time of the accident, you might be required to report it to Uber or Lyft within a certain time period.
Contact a Cherry Hill Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Uber or Lyft Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a rideshare accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gelman Law, LLC represent clients injured because of an accident in Cherry Hill, Marlton, Pennsauken, Mt. Laurel, and throughout New Jersey. Call (856) 861-4236 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 850 Rt 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
