- March 1, 2023
- Tucker Law
- Vehicle Accidents
An NYC Uber Accident Lawyer Can Help Recover Damages After an Uber Accident
Rideshare services like Uber are meant to provide safe and secure transportation. So, what should you do when your Uber driver ends up in a car crash? When your Uber ride goes wrong, you may have grounds for an Uber accident lawsuit.
If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident, you should contact an Uber accident lawyer in New York. The experienced Uber accident attorneys at Tucker Lawyers PC will assess your case and let you know if you have grounds for legal action.
You may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and even non-physical injuries like emotional distress, mental anguish, and PTSD.
How an Uber Accident Lawyer Will Fight for Your Rights
When you choose to use a rideshare service like Uber, you put your trust in the company and the drivers they hire. When your driver’s actions result in a car accident, you may have grounds for a car accident lawsuit.
You’ll need an Uber accident lawyer in New York to help navigate the process of gaining compensation. Assistance from a lawyer for Uber accidents might include:
- Independent investigation into the accident
- Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Assessing damages and forming a target compensation value
- Working to settle through negotiation if insurance coverage is insufficient
- Going to court if negotiation is ineffective.
Mistakes in the Insurance Claims Process Can Be Costly
When you incur injuries and damages in an Uber car accident, you’ll need help navigating the insurance process.
Your Uber driver is required to have insurance. Uber also carries generous insurance policies that provide coverage when a driver’s insurance isn’t enough.
After an Uber accident, your best option for compensation is to engage an NYC Uber accident lawyer to help maximize the payout amount available through insurance policies. Claims must first go through the driver’s private insurance. When the driver’s coverage isn’t enough to pay for the damages, an additional claim must be filed with Uber’s company insurance.
With multiple insurance companies to file claims through, the claim process can be especially complicated after an Uber accident. Allowing a lawyer to handle the process on your behalf is your best chance of maximizing payout for the compensation value you need.
Grounds for an NYC Uber Accident Lawsuit
An Uber Accident Lawyer Will Hold a Negligent Driver Accountable
It’s common for Uber accident victims to have many questions. Can you sue Uber after an accident? Can you sue an Uber driver for an accident? You can sue, but the first step for covering damages is to seek an insurance payout. However, sometimes this money isn’t sufficient, or your accident isn’t covered under the policy terms.
When insurance isn’t enough, an Uber accident lawsuit is the next step. It’s difficult to sue Uber directly. Uber drivers are independent contractors, and Uber doesn’t take responsibility for their driving performance. However, you can hold your Uber driver responsible for the damages and injuries from an accident.
A lawyer for Uber accidents will need to show that the driver was at fault for the accident. To be deemed at fault, the driver must be found guilty of negligence. When you get into an Uber vehicle, the driver owes a duty of care to you, the passenger.
If a lawyer for Uber accidents can show that the driver’s negligence caused an accident, it’s possible to sue the driver when insurance coverage is inadequate.
What to Do After an Uber Accident in New York City
Documentation Leads to Compensation
After an Uber car accident, it’s important to know how to respond correctly. The right response ensures that the incident is correctly documented. The more documentation you have, the more it will help your outcome and chance for compensation.
Call the Police
In NYC, you’re only required to call the police when a car accident results in death, injury, or damages worth more than $1,000. However, it’s best to always call the police, even if it seems unnecessary.
Police will file an official report and determine who they believe to be at fault. Official documentation that you were involved in the accident can help any insurance claims or legal proceedings.
See a Doctor
Seeing a doctor after an accident can seem unnecessary, especially when you don’t have any visible injuries. It’s common for car accident victims to only experience effects days or weeks later. Common delayed symptoms include:
- Neck and back pain
- Abdominal pain
- Fractures
- Headaches
- Internal injuries
- Numbness and tingling
- Altered behavior.
These symptoms can indicate a serious injury. Sometimes, they lead to years of chronic pain, surgery, a reduced ability to work, and debilitating conditions that seriously reduce your quality of life.
Even after a minor accident, take the time to be checked by a doctor. A visit establishes a medical paper trail showing that your injuries are connected to the accident that caused them.
Wait to Report the Accident to Uber
It might seem like common sense to use your Uber app to report the accident. This can be a mistake. Uber can use the information you report against you to disqualify you from compensation or reduce your payout amount. Wait for legal guidance before reporting the accident to Uber or speaking with insurance companies.
Call an NYC Uber Accident Lawyer
After an Uber accident, you should immediately contact an Uber accident lawyer. A lawyer will assess the details of your case and advise you on the best course of action for gaining compensation. It’s easier to gain compensation when a lawyer handles your case from the start.
After an NYC Uber Accident, It’s Better to Be Safe
Erring on the Side of Caution Can Protect Your Financial Future
In more serious accidents, you may not get to choose your response. When death or serious injury occurs, police will be called, and an ambulance will transport you to a hospital. Documentation of your injuries and involvement is unavoidable, so you don’t have to worry about it.
When an accident is less serious, it can be tempting to simplify the matter by not involving the police or a doctor. Skipping these steps can be a big mistake. Documentation is linked to compensation.
When you take the time to correctly respond in the immediate aftermath of an Uber accident, it protects your financial future from unforeseen consequences like delayed medical issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions Answered by NYC Uber Accident Attorneys
Can you sue an Uber driver for an accident?
Yes, you can. However, legal proceedings can be expensive and time-consuming. If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident, time is of the essence.
The simplest path to compensation lies with the insurance policies available through your driver and the rideshare company. However, all too often, accident victims lose out on compensation they deserve because they handle the claim process incorrectly.
When you use an experienced Uber accident attorney with a proven track record of success, you know your chance for compensation is in good hands. You’ll need to begin the claims process shortly after the accident, so don’t hesitate.
Should I Accept a Settlement from the Insurance Company?
It is not uncommon for an insurance company to make an initial settlement offer early on. You should be hesitant to accept this initial offer, though. The reason is because these offers are rarely fair to you as the victim. Insurance companies are hoping to settle the case as quickly and as inexpensively as possible. Our team, however, will advocate for you and for your best interests.
If you are offered a settlement, you should allow our attorneys to review the terms of the settlement first. We can help you better understand what a fair settlement would like for your specific case.
How to Stay Safe When Ride Sharing
Ride sharing is a popular and convenient way to travel. For those who do not own a vehicle, ride sharing is often a truly necessary option. It is important, though, that you understand some of the dangers of ride sharing and ways you can help to keep yourself safe when ride sharing. Let’s look at a few ride sharing safety tips that you should always keep in mind.
Notify someone of your plans. Although this may not always be possible, when you can, you should really notify someone of your travel plans, destination, and possible arrival time. This can be an important way to keep yourself safe when ride sharing.
Go with your gut. If you are about to get into a ride share vehicle, and you have any type of hesitation or apprehensions about your driver, you should pay attention. At least ask yourself why you might be feeling this.
Evaluate the driver’s state before leaving. It is a good idea to take a moment to evaluate the driver’s state of mind before heading out. You can easily do this by approaching the vehicle and simply having a short interaction with the driver before entering the vehicle. If the driver seems impaired in any way, you might want to reconsider the ride or call for a different ride.
You should also take note of the vehicle and make sure that it matches the information you were given on the app. The license plate and type of vehicle should match your information.
Keep track of your surroundings. Your safety is ultimately your responsibility, so you should keep track of your surroundings so that you immediately know if you are heading in the right direction or not. One good way to do this is to track your location on your phone as you are riding to make sure you are heading to the right destination.
Tucker Lawyers PC Can Help When an NYC Uber Ride Goes Wrong
The legal team at Tucker Lawyers PC will put decades of skilled experience and a track record of success to work for you. Tucker Lawyers PC shares client testimonials and settlement results that firmly demonstrate a skilled and aggressive legal team that fights to get clients the compensation they deserve.
Uber accident victims often don’t have the necessary knowledge and experience to successfully navigate insurance claims and legal proceedings after an Uber accident. The lawyers at Tucker Lawyers PC have all of the experience you need, and we’re ready to help.
Call Tucker Lawyers PC today at (516) 399-2364. A free consultation can inform you of your options when you need compensation after an Uber accident leaves you injured and in need of compensation.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]