Union City Rideshare Accident Lawyer

There’s no way to predict a car accident. Whether you’re the one behind the wheel or a passenger in someone else’s car, these accidents can come out of nowhere. The aftermath of a car accident, though, can stay with you for a long time.

Addressing your losses in a standard car accident can be difficult enough. Matters grow even more complex when you involve ridesharing services. Lyft and Uber both have a presence in Union City, NJ. While both services are convenient, they can also make your post-accident options for compensation more complicated.

You’re under no obligation to take on rideshare accident losses alone, though. Instead, you can turn to our team. Morelli Law Firm’s rideshare accident attorneys in Union City know how to break down your losses and fight for your financial support.

Protecting Yourself After a Rideshare Accident

Ridesharing accidents are complicated for a variety of reasons. A driver’s role in the accident can influence what institution you hold responsible for your losses. What’s more, larger ridesharing companies can try to get ahead of your legal rights.

If you want to avoid additional complications after your rideshare accident, you can call on a Union City rideshare accident attorney. Our team can help you address premature settlement offers and the basics of liability. All the while, we’ll fight to get you the financial support you need to relieve some of your stress.

Insurance, Drivers, and Your Rideshare Claim

Because New Jersey is a no-fault state, all parties involved in an accident are expected to file claims with their own insurance providers. You do retain the right to pursue a civil claim, however, if you believe someone else’s negligence contributed to your losses.

That said, what insurance you have to work with will vary depending on your role in the accident at hand. Some ridesharing agencies offer their drivers and passengers coverage. However, that coverage often only comes into play under specific circumstances.

Ridesharing Drivers’ Insurance

Both Lyft and Uber offer their employees insurance so long as those employees are on the clock. Rideshare drivers are only considered to be on the clock if they are:

• Using their employer’s app
• Driving passengers to or from a drop-off location
• Responding to an active ride request

These drivers can file post-accident insurance claims with their employer. Drivers who aren’t using the app at the time of an accident must file claims with independent providers before filing a civil suit.

Third-Party Drivers’ Insurance

Third-party drivers do not have the option to file insurance claims with a rideshare company. Regardless of liability, these drivers are expected to file claims with their own providers. That said, third-party drivers who are hit by a Lyft or Uber may receive settlement offers from those drivers’ parent companies.

In turn, drivers who believe that an on-duty rideshare driver bears the responsibility for their losses may bring a civil suit against those parent companies. Comparatively, independent drivers hit by an off-duty driver can file civil suits against that individual.

Injured As a Rideshare Passenger: What to Expect

Passengers in both Lyfts and Ubers are always protected by the company’s insurance. As such, all passengers are invited to file insurance claims with a driver’s parent company immediately following a rideshare accident.

That said, it’s still valuable for passengers to consult with rideshare accident attorneys in Union City. Larger companies like Lyft and Uber may try to soothe a passenger’s nerves by offering them a settlement. Others may try to deny a passenger access to comprehensive loss coverage.

If you want to verify that a company’s coverage will meet all your needs or discuss filing a passenger’s civil suit, call on Morelli Law Firm. Passengers can determine accident liability during their initial case consultation.

Predicting Your Rideshare Accident Compensation

In the days following your accident, you’ll want to know what kind of financial support you’re fighting for. While each rideshare accident is unique, there are still cases in New Jersey that can let you estimate what this compensation might look like. 

Your post-rideshare accident compensation will include your economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses cover damages like personal injuries or property damage. Non-economic losses describe long-term trauma, loss of companionship, and other intangible damages.

To start calculating your post-rideshare accident compensation, sit down with our personal injury lawyers. We can integrate your estimate into your initial complaint and advocate for that estimate throughout negotiations.

Settlement Offers Versus Civil Complaints

Larger ridesharing companies like to avoid civil court as often as possible. As such, representatives like to offer injured parties settlement offers. These offers can cover the extent of your losses, but that’s no guarantee. 

If you receive a settlement offer shortly after a rideshare accident, don’t feel pressured to accept. You can take that offer to one of our lawyers for assessment. We’ll determine whether or not the offer covers all your needs. If it doesn’t, one of our representatives can help you negotiate for more comprehensive coverage.

If negotiations fall through, you can still rely on our team. Our personal injury team can help you start to build your civil suit as soon as you’ve filed a rideshare accident insurance claim.

How to Write a Rideshare Accident Complaint

To submit a rideshare accident complaint, make sure you have all your essential information on hand. This can include:

• The identity of the party liable for your losses
• The extent of your losses
• Correlation between the aforementioned party’s negligence and your accident
• An estimate of your compensation

You can also submit third-party assessments of your property damage or personal injuries with your rideshare accident complaint. The more evidence you can gather ahead of your civil pursuits, the more straightforward your case may be.

That said, not every civil complaint leads to a trial. Union City rideshare accident attorneys can maintain negotiations outside of the courtroom. Alternatively, they can represent you in front of a court and do everything they can to help you win your personal injury claim. The nature of your case will vary depending on your circumstances and the other parties involved. 

Gathering Information Within New Jersey’s Deadline

You have two years from the day your accident takes place to file a civil claim. This deadline, as described by New Jersey Revised Statute §2A:14-2, is known as the state’s statute of limitations. Failure to file a claim within this deadline can see you forfeit your right to compensation.

This is where consultations with a personal injury lawyer come in handy. If you can regularly meet with a legal professional, you can more easily meet the civil deadline set by the state.

Discuss Your Post-Accident Rights Today With Morelli Law Firm

The financial strain you face after an accident can put you and your family under a lot of stress. Rideshare accidents can leave you facing medical bills, significant property damage, and long-term distress. If you want to fight for compensation, let our team give you a hand.

You can schedule a consultation with Morelli Law Firm immediately following a rideshare accident. Sit down with one of our rideshare accident lawyers in Union City, NJ, to learn about the process of filing a complaint. You can reach out via phone or through our website to request a free case evaluation.