Ridesharing is very common today. In fact, it is a major form of transportation, especially for younger populations and in urban environments. Unfortunately, however, accidents happen. Whether it is an Uber driver, Lyft driver, or taxi driver, you may be owed compensation for an injury you suffer because of a rideshare driver. The rules, however, may be a little more complex because it could involve the ridesharing company - it all depends on the facts and circumstances, and those can be debatable. This is why you need a New Jersey personal injury attorney. These cases can get complex, and the auto insurance adjusters will be firm and unpersuaded by unsupported demand letters.
At Mongiardo Law Group, our auto accident lawyers can take on rideshare companies and auto insurance adjusters. One of our founding partners, Kara Mongiardo, Esquire, has experience representing clients in auto accident cases, from negotiating with insurance companies to filing lawsuits on behalf of injured plaintiffs. Our other founding partner, Evan Mongiardo, Esquire, is a skilled litigator with over 10 years of trial experience.
We want you to get the compensation you deserve. Contact Mongiardo Law Group today at (973) 298-4557 or online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We will outline your best legal options and steps to move forward.
Understanding New Jersey Rideshare Accidents
Ridesharing has become one of the more popular ways to get around. It is growing because ridesharing provides a convenient way to find a ride in cities where having a car is impractical or in situations in which someone is not able to drive themselves (or does not want to drive themselves).
Ridesharing is still about driving vehicles, so it poses the risk of being involved in a car collision. Ridesharing companies perform certain background check requirements, but there is always the risk that you can be injured in a ridesharing accident. If so, you will most likely be dealing with one of two companies: Uber or Lyft. As large companies, they have a lot of financial resources behind them and can be very difficult to deal with. That said, even smaller rideshare companies have resources you may not have, so they still remain at an advantage when you fight to get the compensation you deserve.
Unique Challenges of New Jersey Rideshare Accidents for Injured Parties
Car accidents between two passenger vehicles, while still involving complex legal issues, follow a fairly straightforward path. The only people who will typically be involved will be the injured party, the other driver, and their insurance companies. However, accidents involving ridesharing companies introduce a whole new layer of complications.
Most accidents do not involve drivers who are working. However, the fact that Uber and Lyft drivers are on the clock while on the road means that these companies are now involved when an accident happens. Rideshare drivers exist in a sort of insurance "gray area;" most do not carry commercial insurance since the majority of insurance policies exclude commercial usage.
Because of these wrinkles in rideshare accidents, handling them competently requires a high level of legal expertise and proficiency.
Liability for a Rideshare Accidents in New Jersey
Liability in any car crash is determined by negligence. Proving negligence generally requires proving four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. It must be established that the other party owed a duty of care, that they breached that duty, that the breach caused the damages, and that the accident victim did actually suffer damages.
In a rideshare accident, the two main sources of liability will be the driver and the rideshare company itself. A driver may be held liable in an accident for any number of reasons, such as driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving while distracted, or failing to obey the rules of the road.
Uber and Lyft may also be held liable if they acted negligently. One of the main ways that this might happen is if they negligently hired a driver. For example, if they failed to uncover a history of DUIs for a potential driver, they could face liability for any accidents that the driver causes.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in New Jersey Help?
Hiring the right personal injury lawyer is probably the single most important decision that a rideshare accident victim will make after their accident. A personal injury lawyer can make decisions about who could be liable in your case, and how to go about pursuing maximum compensation. Moreover, they can relieve a great deal of stress by being available to answer any questions that you might have.
Contact a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Passaic County Today
Rideshare accidents pose unique challenges. At Mongiardo Law Group, our team will work to make sure you get skilled and effective representation so that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact Mongiardo Law Group today at (973) 298-4557 or online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
