Brooklyn Uber Accident Lawyer
Were you recently injured in a car accident that involved an Uber in Brooklyn, NY? Whether you were a passenger in the Uber, walking down the street, or inside another vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation. However, Uber accident cases are uniquely complex, so it helps to have an experienced legal team behind you as you pursue the money you deserve.
Call Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to find out how our Brooklyn Uber accident lawyers can help you fight to maximize your financial recovery.
Your first case evaluation is free, so please don’t hesitate to contact our law firm for help today.
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Why You Need to Call Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers After an Uber Accident in Brooklyn
Ridesharing is a relatively new concept. So, too, are accident claims involving rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft. In order to ensure that you walk away with all of the money you deserve, it’s important that you have a Brooklyn personal injury lawyer represent your interests.
At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re known for being fierce advocates for car accident victims in Brooklyn and across New York City. Our attorneys have 40+ years of experience and demonstrate, day in and day out, a superior ability to win – both inside and outside of the courtroom. We’ve successfully secured tens of millions of dollars (and counting) on our clients’ behalf.
And, we pride ourselves on staying on top of changes in the law – including those that are relevant to your Uber accident claim. You can expect us to lean into our experience and in-depth understanding of the laws as we fight passionately to secure full compensation on your behalf.
We will:
- Provide you with the answers to your most pressing legal questions
- Offer guidance and clarity as we navigate the claims process
- Conduct an exhaustive investigation into your Uber accident
- Work closely with leading accident and injury specialists, when necessary, as we analyze, build, and value your claim
- Handle all conversations with opposing parties and insurance companies on your behalf
- Enter negotiations armed with the evidence and arguments that will be necessary to leverage a meaningful settlement agreement
- Have our accomplished and respected trial lawyers argue your case in front of a jury, if necessary
Give us a call to arrange a consultation at no charge. When you sit down with our team, we’ll review your case, provide some preliminary legal advice, and help you understand the options that might be available to you at this time.
Can I Sue Uber After an Accident?
It’s highly unlikely. Uber and other rideshare companies have done a great deal of work and lobbying to ensure that its drivers are not classified as employees, but rather as independent contractors.
This means that, in most situations, Uber isn’t liable for a driver’s conduct or negligent behavior. However, there are ways to secure compensation for your injuries after an Uber accident in Brooklyn, New York.
How Do I Get Money After an Uber Accident in Brooklyn?
Whoever contributed to your motor vehicle accident (or their insurance provider) will be financially responsible for the consequences.
The Uber Driver’s Personal Insurance Company
Just like everyone else in New York, Uber drivers have a responsibility to ensure that their vehicle is properly insured. If someone who drives for Uber is in an accident – whether they’re working at the time or not – this coverage will serve as the primary source of compensation for injuries to them and their passenger(s).
And, if someone outside of the vehicle suffers a severe injury and exhausts their own personal insurance benefits (New York is a no-fault state
, after all), the Uber driver’s policy might come into play.
The Uber Driver
If the Uber driver is uninsured or underinsured, or if their insurance company denies a claim, the driver themselves could be financially liable for Uber accident injuries.
Uber’s Insurance Provider
New York law requires Uber and other rideshare companies to have an insurance policy in place to cover the costs of accidents that make take place in the state. Uber actually has two insurance policies. Which one applies depends on how an Uber driver is using the rideshare app at the time of the accident.
If the Uber driver is logged into the app, between trips, and waiting for a ride request, Uber’s insurance coverage is as follows:
- $75,000 for bodily injury per person
- $150,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
- Uninsured motorist coverage ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident – doubled in the event of death)
- $50,000 in PIP no-fault coverage.
Once an Uber driver accepts a ride request, a $1.25 Million insurance policy kicks in. This coverage extends until the passenger is dropped off and the trip is completed.
Note, Uber’s insurance coverage is what’s called “secondary.” This means that the driver’s own personal insurance benefits must be exhausted before you can seek to obtain money from Uber’s policy.
Other Negligent Parties and/or Their Insurance Providers
If someone else contributes to an Uber accident, you can file a claim to recover compensation from them or their insurance provider. This might be relevant in situations where an Uber accident is caused by:
- The driver of another vehicle on the road, including trucks, buses, and motorcycles
- A bicyclist or pedestrian
- Employer of a negligent party
- Government agency
- Manufacturer of a defective product
- Mechanic
- Mass transit company
It’s important to make sure that you identify all liable parties. Doing so will put you in the best position to maximize your financial recovery.
Causes of Brooklyn Uber Accidents
The only way to know who is responsible for an Uber accident is by determining why the accident happened in the first place. Common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents in Brooklyn include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Idling at an intersection or busy crossroad
- Negligent vehicle maintenance
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Road defects
Our personal injury attorneys in Brooklyn will carefully investigate the circumstances of your rideshare accident. We’ll work hard to uncover the reason(s) that caused you to get hurt. With this information in hand, we can turn our attention to building a demand for compensation on your behalf.
Damages Available to Uber Accident Victims in New York
Following an Uber accident, our experienced Brooklyn car accident lawyers will work diligently to secure money damages for:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disability and/or reduced earning capacity
- Loss of limb
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
- And more
We will work closely with experts as we navigate the valuation process. With their help, we can be confident that we fully understand and appreciate your injuries and suffering.
Taking the time to get this right is critical – the value of your personal injury claim depends on it.
What If I’m Blamed For an Uber Accident in Brooklyn?
New York has a pure comparative fault system. So, if you’re in an Uber accident, you can recover compensation from other parties – as long as you are not solely responsible for the crash.
If you do share blame, two things will happen:
- Your financial award, whether it’s a settlement or jury verdict, will be reduced in direct proportion to your role in the accident, and
- You will be on the hook for damages sustained by others in the accident, up to the degree you share fault.
It’s important to do everything in your power to limit how much of the blame is ultimately apportioned to you. The smaller your role, the higher your take-home award.
Our attorneys will defend you and work to downplay the credibility of any claims that you share blame for your Uber accident.
When Can I File an Uber Accident Lawsuit in Brooklyn?
After a car accident in Brooklyn, including one that involved an Uber, you will have up to three years to file a lawsuit in civil court.
It’s possible that you could have more – or even less – time to act. However, those are the exceptions, rather than the rule. The important takeaway is that you’ll lose the right to request compensation from those responsible for your injuries if you allow the statute of limitations to expire without taking action.
Schedule a Case Evaluation With Our Brooklyn Uber Accident Lawyers
An Uber accident can leave victims struggling with painful and debilitating injuries. Damage to the spine, whiplash, chest injuries, and brain injuries aren’t uncommon consequences of a crash. If a negligent Uber driver (or another party) is to blame, you may have the right to hold them accountable.
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call our Brooklyn Uber accident lawyers to learn about your rights and discuss your case. Your initial case assessment is free, and our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. There’s absolutely no risk in getting us to help, so contact our law office to get started now.
