Jersey City Uber Accident Lawyer

After a crash, you should have the time to focus on treating your injuries and recovering from the accident. With our Jersey City rideshare accident lawyers working on your case, you will have time to take care of yourself and rest after a stressful experience. 

For more than 25 years, Morelli Law has recovered $1 billion-plus in compensation for clients injured because of someone else’s negligence. Our results show how committed we are to resolving their legal matters and seeking the best outcome for them.

A benefit to having legal representation on your side is lawyers understand the complexities of ridesharing accidents, the intricate insurance policies rideshare companies have, and how to defend an insurance claim against a negligent driver.

We will seek maximum compensation that helps you cover your accident-related expenses, including your pain and suffering, a loss that can be challenging to prove. Call today for a free initial consultation to learn how Morelli Law Firm can help you.

Why Uber Rideshare Crashes Differ аrom Other Accidents

Uber accidents are different from other car accidents in several key ways. Understanding these differences can help you know what to do if you’re involved in one and how our personal injury lawyers in Jersey City can help.

• Insurance coverage: In a typical car accident, the driver’s personal auto insurance is usually responsible for covering damages. However, with Uber, the insurance situation can be more complex. Uber insures its drivers, but the amount and type of coverage depend on what the driver was doing when the accident occurred. 
• Multiple parties involved: A rideshare accident can involve more parties, making it harder to determine who should pay for it. In addition to the drivers and passengers, Uber, as a ridesharing company, might also be involved, complicating liability issues.
• Company policies and procedures: Uber has specific policies and procedures for handling accidents. This includes reporting the accident to Uber and dealing with their insurance company. These steps can be different from dealing with a typical car insurance claim.
• Driver classification: Uber drivers are independent contractors, not employees. This distinction is important because it can affect how our ridesharing accident attorneys determine who is liable for the crash and what compensation you can seek. 
• Technology involvement: Uber’s smartphone app plays a significant role in these accidents. The app records data about the ride, which can be crucial evidence. This technology can help determine the details of the accident, such as the driver’s activity at the time of the crash. 

Because of these differences, having our experienced lawyers leading your case can help you recover your losses. We can navigate all of these factors as we work to resolve your case.

How an Uber Driver’s Status During a Ride Affects Liability

An Uber driver’s status during a ride can greatly affect who is liable in an accident and how much insurance coverage is available. Uber’s different tiers of insurance liability are based on what the driver is doing when the accident occurs. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Offline or app off: If the Uber driver is not using the Uber app and gets into an accident, their personal insurance is responsible for covering the damages. Uber’s insurance does not apply in this situation.
• App on, waiting for a ride request: When the driver has the Uber app on and is waiting for a ride request, Uber provides limited insurance coverage. This includes:
  • $50,000 for bodily injury per person
  • $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage per accident
• En route to pick up a passenger or during a trip: Once the driver accepts a ride request and is either on their way to pick up a passenger or has a passenger in the car, Uber’s full insurance coverage is in effect. This includes:
  • $1 million for third-party liability
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
  • Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage (if the driver has personal comprehensive and collision coverage)

If you hire us to work on your case, we will take care of these details. We will determine which insurer to pursue compensation from based on the rideshare driver’s status during the crash.

Do Insurance Tiers Apply to Accidents Involving Uber Eats Drivers?

Because Uber also offers Uber Eats, its food delivery service, we may also be able to help you get compensation if the at-fault driver was signed into the app as part of this service. The principles of determining which insurance tier applies would also apply. However, there are some differences to consider:

• Insurance coverage: When Uber Eats drivers are offline or the app is off, their personal insurance policy applies to their vehicles. A limited level of Uber coverage kicks in when the driver is waiting for a delivery request. When the driver is en route to pick up or deliver food, the $1 million coverage applies.
• Driver status: Uber Eats drivers’ status can be offline, waiting for a delivery request, en route to pick up food, or delivering food. We would still need to determine which of these statuses applies at the time of the accident to identify the correct insurance tier.
• Data and records: We can still access Uber’s records and app data to determine the driver’s status during a food delivery. This process includes obtaining time stamps and records of the delivery activity to ensure the correct insurance tier is applied.

We can communicate with Uber’s insurance company and the driver’s personal insurer to confirm the applicable coverage. We can also handle any disputes and represent you in negotiations or court.

Our Uber Accident Lawyers Will Fight for You in Jersey City

If you or someone you love was injured in an Uber accident in Jersey City, our lawyers can manage your insurance claim or lawsuit for you. We start by carefully documenting your expenses so you can avoid lowball offers or settling before we know the case’s full financial extent.

We never stop fighting for those we represent and will take your case to court to get the compensation you deserve if necessary. Our Uber accident team at Morelli Law Firm will: 

• Collect case-supporting evidence, including your medical records, to prove negligence and liability.
• Identify all liable parties that owe you compensation, including third parties not at the accident scene.
• Pursue compensation from the rideshare vehicle’s driver, Uber, or both.

Our Jersey City Uber Accident Lawyers Can Determine Which Insurance Policy Applies

Determining which insurance tier applies in an Uber accident can be complex, but a lawyer can help simplify the process. Here’s how:

• Investigating the accident: Our lawyer can thoroughly investigate the accident to gather all necessary details. This includes checking the Uber driver’s status at the time of the accident, which is crucial in determining the applicable insurance coverage.
• Accessing Uber records: Our firm can obtain records from Uber that show whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting a passenger. These records are key to understanding the driver’s status.
• Analyzing app data: The Uber app records data about the driver’s activities, such as the time they accepted a ride request or picked up a passenger. We can request this data and analyze it to confirm which insurance tier applies.
• Communicating with insurance companies: Lawyers can handle communications with Uber’s insurance company and the driver’s personal insurance company. We will ensure that the right insurance policy applies and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
• Navigating legal policies and procedures: If there’s any dispute about which tier of insurance should cover the accident, our law firm can navigate the legal procedures to resolve the issue. We can also represent you in negotiations or in court if necessary.

N.J. Is a No-Fault State: does that Affect an Uber Crash Claim?

Because New Jersey is a no-fault state, personal injury protection (PIP) can affect Uber accidents there. PIP is car insurance coverage that covers medical expenses and, in some cases, lost wages and other related costs, regardless of who is at fault for an accident. New Jersey law requires all drivers to meet the state’s insurance requirements.

In New Jersey, PIP is primary, meaning it covers your medical expenses before any other insurance, including Uber’s liability insurance. However, if your medical expenses exceed your PIP limits, you may be able to seek additional compensation through Uber’s insurance or from the at-fault party.

If you’re a passenger in an Uber vehicle during an accident, your auto insurance policy’s PIP coverage may be the first to cover your medical bills. Our Uber accident attorneys in Jersey City can help you understand the insurance requirements and policy limits of your coverage and how it affects your damage claim.

You Have the Right to Seek Damages if Someone Harms You

After an accident involving an Uber driver, you may be unsure of how to seek compensation and what damages you can request. When we handle your rideshare accident case, we deal with the insurance company for you and demand fair compensation.

First, we will calculate your economic damages to determine what your case is worth. We will review your:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs for ongoing care
• Rehabilitative therapy
• Lost wages and income
• Lost earning capacity (if you cannot work because of your injuries long-term or permanently)
• Property damage (repair and replacement costs)
• In-home support
• Other related damages

Our Jersey City Uber accident attorneys can add up your bills and receipts to assess the value of your current economic damages. We can also assign the correct value to future economic damages, which can be more complicated to estimate accurately. 

Additionally, we will assign value to and request compensation for your non-economic damages. These include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Scarring and disfigurement

Wrongful Death Damages in Fatal Jersey City Uber Accidents

Losing a loved one in a car accident is a devastating experience for families. Financial compensation in these cases can help the family cope with losing their loved one. 

Damages in a wrongful death lawsuit typically include:

• Economic damages: These cover the financial support your loved one would have provided. This includes their lost income, medical expenses for the care they received before their death, and funeral and burial costs.
• Non-economic damages: These compensate for the emotional pain and suffering caused by the loss. This includes loss of companionship and the mental anguish family members feel over losing their relatives.

Our Jersey City wrongful death lawyer can help you understand and pursue these damages. We can gather evidence, file the necessary paperwork, and represent you in court. This support is crucial during such a difficult time, ensuring that you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Filing Deadlines for a Jersey City Rideshare Accident Lawsuit

Whether we pursue Uber’s insurer or the rideshare driver’s private insurer, we will make sure to keep time on your side. In New Jersey, the following statutes of limitations deadlines may apply to your personal injury lawsuit:

• In general, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years, according to NJ Rev Stat § 2A:14-2.
• In general, the wrongful death statute of limitations is two years, according to NJ Rev Stat § 2A:31-3. 

Part of building your case involves preparing it for trial if a settlement agreement is not possible. Our team will preserve your right to go to court by complying with the state’s filing deadline. 

Read Reviews from Morelli Law Firm’s Personal Injury Clients

If another party’s actions have hurt you, our legal team will fight hard for your recovery. We have done it for many of New Jersey’s injured. Clients we’ve fought for in the past had this to say:

• “I highly recommend hiring Morelli Law Firm. David Sirotkin is a phenomenal personal injury attorney who handled my daughter’s case. He was professional, very responsive to any questions, and always kept us in the know throughout the entire case.” JD Mayes
• “Morelli Law Firm fought tooth and nail for us to get us the best possible recovery. David Sirotkin handled our case from beginning to end and really went above and beyond for us!!” Talia Tyree
• “I would recommend them to anyone that needs a voice and a strong team to fight for all of your personal injury needs!!” Will Clark

You can read more examples of how hard we fight for injured clients and the financial awards our team achieved in our Google reviews and on our testimonials page.

Call Us for a Free Review of Your Uber Accident in Jersey City

If you or a loved one was injured by a rideshare driver, our Jersey City Uber accident lawyers want to help you recover financial awards for your physical injuries and related expenses, such as your medical bills and other losses. 

We can help you with a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Call or contact Morelli Law Firm online for a free consultation today. The sooner our accident attorneys hear from you, the sooner we can start working on your case.