In Uber’s most recent safety report, released in 2018, the ridesharing company stated that its U.S. drivers saw 107 fatal Uber accidents over the course of the year. The report goes on to specify what Uber considers to be a fatal accident, but the numbers do paint a picture. While Uber and other ridesharing services are convenient, they can still be dangerous if drivers on the road are negligent.
How can a person respond to these kinds of accidents? In most cases, a person’s legal options vary depending on the role they allegedly took in the collision. For more information about your post-Uber accident legal options, you can turn to Morelli Law Firm. Our Uber accident attorneys in Long Beach can help you assess your losses and present your argument for financial support.
Taking Legal Action After an Uber Accident
The rights afforded to you after an Uber accident change depending on what your relationship with Uber looks like. To make matters more complicated, you also have to take New York’s views on fault into account.
New York operates on a no-fault system. This means that any parties caught in an accident must collaborate with their insurance providers before taking legal action. While it’s never a bad idea to work with your insurance provider after an accident, this requirement can limit the amount of time you have to pursue a civil suit.
Only after your insurance claim has been denied or determined to be insufficient can you file a civil complaint. Even then, though, it’s not always clear who it is that you’re bringing this suit against.
Fault in an Uber Accident: the Whos and Hows
Uber offers insurance and legal protections to its drivers and passengers under certain circumstances. It’s up to you and an Uber accident attorney in Long Beach to determine if you meet them.
Getting Hit By an Uber Driver
If you find yourself in an accident with an Uber driver, you must first file a PIP claim with your insurance provider before you can pursue your legal options. Only once your insurance claim is out of the way may you take another party to court.
If the Uber driver was on duty during the accident, then you’ll file your complaint against Uber at large. If the other driver wasn’t using the Uber app or had their car out for personal purposes, you can file a claim against that individual.
Getting Hit As an Uber Driver
Uber’s insurance policy extends to drivers who are on duty at the time of an accident. Uber drivers who want to pursue compensation after an accident must file a PIP claim with Uber’s insurer before filing a complaint. Even then, Uber drivers must seek out legal guidance on their own time.
All that said, Uber’s insurance only protects its drivers when they are transporting passengers or on their way to pick up passengers. Any driver who is not using the Uber app at the time of their accident will have to contend with the financial fallout themselves. Fortunately, these drivers retain the right to bring a civil complaint before a judge after filing a claim with their insurance provider.
Passengers Involved in Uber Accidents
All passengers in an Uber at the time of a car accident benefit from Uber’s insurance. These individuals can file insurance claims with the company after the accident.
Passengers who are discontent with the insurance coverage provided by Uber retain the right to file a complaint against the company, not the company’s driver. In these cases, Long Beach Uber accident lawyers can manage settlement negotiations and complete a passenger’s legal complaint, which may later be brought against the Uber legal team.
Long Beach Uber Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Including Compensation in Your Uber Accident Complaint
Recovering from an Uber accident can be expensive. That’s why it’s good to know what kind of compensation to which you may be entitled. In most cases, you’ll have the right to request compensation for physical and emotional losses.
Your physical losses can range from accident-related medical expenses to property damage. When you include these losses in your initial complaint, be sure to include copies of any receipts or bills you’ve received to emphasize their correlation to your accident.
Emotional losses don’t come with receipts. Rather, these losses include your post-accident pain and suffering. If you find yourself in a worse emotional state after your accident than you were before it, you may be entitled to related compensation. You can calculate what dollar value those losses may have with help from Uber accident attorneys in Long Beach.
New York’s Statute of Limitations on Uber Accident Complaints
A state’s statute of limitations determines how much time you have to bring your request for compensation before a judge. In New York, New York Civil Practice Law & Rules §214 gives you three years to act. The clock starts on the same day your accident takes place.
If you’re struggling to understand what information area courts may need to consider your claim, turn to Long Beach’s Uber accident lawyers. Professionals in the area can help you estimate your potential compensation. They can also sort out the question of liability while you focus on your recovery. When you work together with a legal team, it’ll be easier for you to submit your complaint within New York’s deadline.
The Benefits of Contacting an Uber Accident Lawyer in Long Beach
The legalities tied up in an Uber accident are rarely straightforward. If you’re not sure how your insurance and legal rights might interact, it may seem impossible to submit a complaint within New York’s statute of limitations.
It’s with that in mind that the Morelli Law Firm team strives to serve you. A Long Beach Uber accident attorney knows that you may not understand why you have to talk with your insurance provider before pursuing a suit. Attorneys work to make the legal process more comprehensible. At the same time, these parties make sure you hit all of your essential deadlines. In short, post-accident help from a legal representative can give you the best chance of bringing your request for compensation to a judge.
Recover from an Uber Accident with Our Team
Don’t let the aftermath of an Uber accident keep you from living your best life. It’s time for you to secure the financial support you need. Let the team with Morelli Law Firm help you pave the way. You can call our office or use our online form to schedule an appointment with our Long Beach Uber Accident lawyers.