Atlantic City Uber Accident Attorney
Uber has been serving visitors and residents of Atlantic City for several years. The rideshare company offers convenient transportation for those who want to explore the area from their hotel or visit different areas of the boardwalk. However, Uber’s convenience sometimes does not outweigh the negatives. Negligent Uber drivers cause dangerous accidents putting pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists at risk for injury.
If you live in the Atlantic City area or you visited the area and suffered injuries due to a negligent Uber driver, New Jersey law permits you to seek compensation for your injuries. The experienced Atlantic City Uber accident lawyers at The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers can help you through the accident injury claims process, giving you the best chance of recovering the maximum compensation commensurate with your injuries. Contact us today online or call 609-250-2800 for a free consultation to discuss the details of your Atlantic City Uber accident.
The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers’s Results in Traffic Accident Cases
The skilled personal injury lawyers of The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers have ample experience representing traffic accident victims, including those who have suffered injuries in Uber accidents. The firm’s dedication to seeking justice and client service has led to the recovery of millions in damages from jury verdicts and settlement agreements. We cannot guarantee a specific outcome for your Uber accident claim, but our firm has the knowledge and resources to build the best case possible for your circumstances. We aggressively pursue the maximum compensation possible for our clients’ injuries.
Negligent Uber Drivers Cause Serious Accidents
Atlantic City Uber accidents occur for many reasons, but most are preventable. Uber drivers who make poor and careless choices put riders and those who share the road at risk for accident and injury. Examples of negligent Uber driver behaviors that sometimes lead to dangerous Atlantic City Uber accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers cause many accidents in Atlantic City and throughout New Jersey and the United States. However, Uber drivers often have more distractions than other motorists. Most think of cell phones when they think of distracted driving. Under New Jersey law, drivers cannot use cell phones unless they use a hands-free device. Drivers who succumb to distractions cause dangerous car accidents that result in severe injuries.
Uber drivers must log onto Uber’s app on their cell phone to find riders to transport, resulting in some drivers engaging with their phones while driving and breaking the law. Also, Uber drivers have to deal with passengers, some of who might be unruly or extra-talkative. In Atlantic City, Uber drivers sometimes have to deal with drunk riders coming from the casinos. Finally, Uber drivers face the same distractions as other motorists, such as focusing on events outside the vehicle, adjusting vehicle features, and reaching for something on the floor.
Fatigued Driving
Uber understands the dangers of drowsy drivers. They have tried to curb the issue. Uber requires drivers to take a six-hour break after driving for 12 hours. However, this doesn’t completely address the problem because the 12 hours only includes the time that a driver is signed on to the app. Many drivers have other jobs, or they switch between rideshare apps. Uber drivers can easily drive more than 12 hours per day, and some certainly suffer from sleep deprivation. Fatigued Uber drivers are impaired and may fall asleep at the wheel, causing dangerous accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
Uber performs background checks on their drivers to check for driving history and criminal offenses, including driving under the influence and drug-related crimes. This eliminates many drivers who might abuse drugs and alcohol while giving rides. However, background checks do not eliminate all risks. Sometimes Uber drivers struggle with addiction and abuse the same way as any other person. Uber drivers who give rides after consuming alcohol or using illegal drugs put others at risk for accident and injury. Prescription drugs can also cause driver impairment if not taken as directed.
Speeding
Uber drivers get paid for each ride they provide to a customer. The faster they drive, the more rides they give and the more money they make. Many motorists speed, but Uber drivers have added motivation to travel as fast as they can between destinations. Going over the posted speed limit and driving too fast for road, weather, or traffic conditions sometimes leads to drivers losing control of their vehicles and causing accidents. Additionally, speeding makes it more difficult for drivers to react to animals, pedestrians, and road hazards.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance
In New Jersey, Uber drivers need a four-door vehicle with working windows and air-conditioning, but they do not need to comply with regular inspections. Uber drivers put on hundreds of miles a month, which causes wear and tear on vehicles. Drivers need to regularly perform preventative maintenance, such as checking and changing fluids, brakes, and tires. A mechanical breakdown at a critical point can cause major accidents that lead to injuries and fatalities.
Seeking Compensation for Injuries After an Atlantic City Uber Accident
If you file a claim against the Uber driver who caused your injuries, you might receive money from an insurance settlement or court-awarded damages. Money compensates accident victims for economic and non-economic losses that are more difficult to value. Common damages that Uber accident victims receive compensation for include:
- Costs for medical treatment such as ambulance and emergency services, hospital stay, surgery, X-rays, lab tests, doctor visits, and medication
- Rehabilitation costs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other specialized treatment
- Lost wages for missing work due to injuries
- Lost earning capacity if an Uber accident victim cannot return to work because of a permanent injury
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Your attorney can review the facts of your claim and advise you on the damages that apply to your Uber accident case.
Atlantic City Uber Accident FAQ
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, especially when injuries occur. You might feel unsure about the next steps, especially when it comes to going up against a large company like Uber. It’s best to consult with an experienced Uber accident lawyer who can evaluate your case. Until you have the chance, the following answers to frequently asked questions about Atlantic City Uber accident provide preliminary information about Uber claims and the legal process of recovering compensation for your injuries.
Does My PIP Insurance Apply After an Atlantic City Uber Accident?
New Jersey requires all drivers who register a vehicle to carry a minimum amount of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance which kicks in after a traffic accident regardless of fault. If you are injured as an Uber rider or in another vehicle, your PIP applies. Your PIP coverage also applies if an Uber driver struck you while walking or riding a bicycle. However, if an Uber driver hits you on your motorcycle, your PIP coverage does not apply. Once you’ve exhausted any PIP coverage options, you can step outside New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system and file an insurance claim and lawsuit, if necessary.
Do I File an Insurance Claim with Uber in Atlantic City?
You should always report the accident directly to Uber. Uber requires drivers to file an accident report, but you want to ensure this happens. Whether you file an insurance claim with Uber’s carrier depends on the situation. If the driver did not have passengers, he might not be covered under Uber’s insurance. However, you have no way of knowing whether the driver is logged in to the app, so it’s best to file a claim. You can start the process and let your attorney take over the claim to protect you from tricky insurance company tactics.
Uber provides coverage to their drivers when they are logged in to the app, but amounts vary based on whether they have a rider. Uber provides 50/100/25 coverage for bodily injury and property damage when drivers are logged in to the app and waiting for a ride. When Uber drivers have passengers, the company provides $1,000,000 of liability coverage.
How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action After an Atlantic City Uber Accident?
New Jersey has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injuries, including those that occur in traffic accidents. If you need to file a lawsuit against Uber and/or the Uber driver, you must do so within two years from the date of the accident. If you let the statute of limitations run out, you risk missing the opportunity to recover damages for your injuries. If your accident injuries were so severe that you were in a coma or incapacitated for a long time, a court might grant an exception. However, this is rare. It’s best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your Uber accident.
Should I Accept an Offer from Uber’s Insurance Company?
It’s best to consult with a lawyer after you receive an offer. Insurance companies often make lowball, quick settlement offers after an accident to avoid a bigger payout later on. These predatory offers tempt accident victims who might be suffering financially from the accident, but they rarely provide fair compensation for serious injuries. Instead, let an attorney review your case and use the offer as a starting point to negotiate a better outcome. Once you accept an offer, you give up your right to seek future compensation for the same injuries, so you want to make sure you are making the right choice.
Can I Afford an Atlantic City Uber Accident Lawyer?
Yes. Personal injury lawyers, including Uber accident lawyers, do not require an upfront retainer, like criminal lawyers or estate planners. If you have a viable claim, you will enter a contingent fee agreement with the lawyer who represents you. This agreement allows your lawyer to deduct attorney fees and other costs of representation if you receive settlement money or court-awarded damages on behalf of their efforts for you. You do not need to pay out-of-pocket, and if your lawyer does not win your case, you do not have to pay attorney fees.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive for My Uber Accident Injuries?
It’s impossible to predict the amount of money you might get after an Uber accident. Your lawyer will place a value on your claim, and it will be much lower than what the insurance company thinks they should pay. If you settle your case, you will likely accept less than the value of your claim, but you don’t have the risk of a jury ruling against you during a trial. Many factors influence the value of your claim, such as liability, the extent of your injuries, and the likelihood of a full recovery.
Will I Have to Go to Court for My Atlantic City Uber Claim?
Most traffic accidents settle long before trial, including those involving Uber. Litigation is expensive, and neither side wants to take on the extra time and cost. However, sometimes settlement negotiations fail, and you must go to trial. Although you may not need to go to court for your Uber accident claim, you should always prepared for the possibility.
How Can an Atlantic City Uber Accident Lawyer Help?
It’s true that personal injury lawyers draft documents and handle paperwork, but they do much more for their clients. Examples of the way an Atlantic City Uber accident attorney can help include:
- Investigating your case to uncover facts that support a claim
- Protecting the value of car claim by handling communication with the insurance company
- Securing witness testimony
-
Uber Accident Lawyer, Gabriel Levin Negotiating your claim with the insurance company to get the best possible outcome for a case
- Fighting for a client in the courtroom when settlement is not an option
Contact an Atlantic City Uber Accident Lawyer for the Help You Need
Accident injuries are not only painful, but they come with emotional and financial stress for victims and families. You deserve compensation for your injuries when a negligent Uber driver caused them. Contact The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers online or at (954) 715-3260 for a free case evaluation to determine your eligibility for compensation and learn more about how we can help.
The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers | Atlantic City Office
2 Convention Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Local: 609.250.2800
Toll-Free: 877.825.8542