NJ Uber Car Accident Attorneys

Proudly serving all of New Jersey

---

Hurt in an Uber Accident?

On Uber’s official New Jersey website, you’ll find the words: “Uber is not a transportation provider.”

This may seem confusing if you visited their site to find out how you can get them to transport you. They list this in their fine print because they consider their drivers to be independent contractors. Their drivers ARE NOT employees who must be trained, supervised, and covered by insurance. Uber is not a taxi or limousine service. By saying that they only connect consumers with independent drivers, Uber is able to avoid liability for the actions of their drivers.

With more and more Uber vehicles getting in accidents, there are questions about who should be held liable, and how injured victims can seek compensation for their losses.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber car accident, please contact the experienced New Jersey car accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. for more information about your legal rights.

Contact us at (609) 429-5854 to discuss your situation.

Liability Issues Surrounding Uber

Uber is a rideshare service company that is reminiscent of services provided by taxi cab or limousines companies, but from a legal perspective, Uber is not a transportation provider. In actuality, Uber considers itself a tech company and by doing so, the company diverts potential liability in auto accidents their drivers may be involved in.

When an auto accident takes place, injured victims can continue to seek compensatory damages. Instead of filing a personal injury claim against Uber, however, the victim will have to seek compensation from the Uber driver’s insurance company.

Obtaining Compensation After an Uber Accident

People who have been involved in an auto accident involving an Uber may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries. In the State of New Jersey, Uber must have motorists insured for up to $1.5 million in liability coverage, along with other coverages the state requires. In order to obtain financial compensation, the company requires that claimants file a petition in their Claims Department.

The company may require the following information when filing an accident claim:

• The names of those involved in the accident,
• The driver’s license number and vehicle registrations of all parties involved,
• Each party’s contact information, and
• Each party’s insurance information

It is also helpful to take videos or photos of the vehicle damage, accident scene, and visible injuries that may have been sustained.

Determining if Uber’s Insurance Coverage Can Apply

The State of New Jersey follows the no-fault insurance system when it comes to auto accidents. This requires injured people to file a claim for damages against their own insurance primarily. However, when medical expenses exceed the amount of compensation a person’s insurance provides, then it is possible to seek damages from the other parties involved in the accident, including Uber drivers.

When an Uber driver is responsible for the accident, it may be possible to obtain compensatory damages from the driver’s insurance company. As previously mentioned Uber drivers are required to carry certain levels of insurance coverage. The specific circumstances of the auto accident will dictate the amount of coverage that will apply.

Insurance minimums can apply as follows:

1. When the Uber driver is not logged into the application

The same basic liability coverage will apply as all other motorists across the State of New Jersey, including:

• Bodily liability coverage of $50,000 per individual,
• $100,000 per accident, and
• $25,000 of property damage liability coverage.

2. When the Uber driver has logged into the application but was not yet matched with a customer

In this type of scenario, the following liability coverages will apply:

• Minimum $50,000 per individual,
• $100,000 per incident of bodily injury coverage, and
• $25,000 liability coverage of property damage.

3. When the Uber driver is matched with a customer or is transporting the customer in his or her vehicle

Liability coverage in this type of scenario will be $1.5 million in bodily harm, property damage, and death, $1.5 million of underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, and $10,000 in personal injury protection for the motorist.

In a majority of cases, the Uber driver’s own auto insurance will not cover accidents that happen while the motorist is using the company’s application. Instead, liability coverage required by state law is furnished by Uber to the driver. All things considered, when a person suffers bodily harm or property damage in an auto accident by an Uber driver, it may be necessary to turn to Uber for compensation.

Contact an Experienced Attorney to Discuss Your Uber Auto Accident Case

If you or a loved one was recently injured in an auto accident involving an Uber vehicle, understanding what your rights are is very important. With thousands of people driving their personal vehicles for rideshare companies like Uber, it is important to understand what your options are in the event of an accident. Unfortunately, receiving financial compensation after an accident involving one of these vehicles is oftentimes difficult. Determining liability after the accident is not always straightforward. By obtaining the legal support of a proficient attorney, receiving the compensation you are duly owed is possible.

The New Jersey auto accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. are exceptionally skilled in a wide-range of traffic accidents, including accidents involving Uber drivers. The firm understands the complexity of these cases and is prepared to handle the most arduous and complicated case. After you have been injured in an auto accident involving a rideshare driver, consider seeking the reliable support of the personal injury attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. You can obtain a complimentary consultation by contacting the firm today.

Back to Top

Additional Information

• Have Lyft and Uber Actually Reduced Drunk Driving?
• Uber / Rideshare Accidents in New Jersey
• Uber in New Jersey