Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, are popular options, making it easier to travel without using your own car. If you utilize rideshare services, you may wonder what happens if you are in an accident.
Determining fault after a Paramus Uber accident is essential because liability depends on whether the driver had a passenger or was waiting for a fare. At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, our knowledgeable rideshare accident attorneys have the experience to help you identify who is responsible for your crash and with whom you need to file your insurance claim. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with our team.
Why Is Determining Fault Important After an Uber Accident?
New Jersey is a no-fault state, meaning your own car insurance pays for any injuries and damages you suffer in an accident, within your policy’s limits. If your damages after a Paramus rideshare crash exceed that limit, or you have a right-to-sue clause in your policy, you must identify who is responsible before pursuing a claim.
Liability for a rideshare accident depends on the driver’s status when the incident happened. State laws require Uber to cover its drivers while they have a passenger on board. However, a driver has four different tiers of coverage depending on their status:
- Off-app: The driver’s own car insurance provides coverage while they are not awaiting a fare
- On-app, waiting: The driver must have a minimum of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident liability insurance coverage when they are actively waiting for a fare
- On-app, no passengers: If the driver has accepted a fare and is en route to the pickup, Uber must provide $1.5 million in liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
- Passenger in car: Once the driver has a passenger and is en route to the destination, Uber must provide $1.5 million in liability coverage, an additional $1.5 million in UM/UIM coverage, and personal injury protection coverage
At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, we can explain your legal rights, whether you were another driver or a passenger in the Uber vehicle at the time of the crash.
Assessing Liability After an Uber Accident
When assessing who is responsible following an Uber accident in Paramus, you may need to show that the rideshare driver was negligent at the time of the crash. You will need photos or videos from the accident scene, witness statements, and police reports. Your medical records will help establish that you suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident.
Uber may claim that the driver was not on-app at the time of the accident, and it has no responsibility. Our attorneys can obtain the records and computer logs from Uber and the driver’s phone to determine their status when the accident occurred.
Call Our Paramus Lawyers for Help Establishing Responsibility After a Rideshare Crash
When determining fault after a Paramus Uber accident, the attorneys at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC can give you the legal guidance you need. Our experienced attorneys can help you pursue fair compensation after a serious rideshare accident. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.
