Protecting Your Legal Rights in the Aftermath of a New Jersey Rideshare Accident
As the number of people getting rides in Ubers and lifts each year increases, so too has the number of accidents. According to the University of Chicago, “The arrival of ridesharing is associated with an increase of approximately 3% in the number of motor vehicle fatalities and fatal accidents. This increase is not only for vehicle occupants but also pedestrians.” Victims of rideshare accidents tend to suffer grave injuries and consequences. It is important that these victims take certain steps in order to preserve their health and legal rights.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Early On
It is always a good idea to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible after any rideshare accident. This is useful for a number of different reasons. Among other things, it can help establish the extent of your injuries. Many of the injuries sustained in a rideshare collision may not be immediately obvious.
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Minor fractures
- Spine injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
In many cases, the severity of a person’s injuries may become worse over time. Failing to seek medical attention right after your accident is not only potentially hazardous to your health, it can also impact your injury claim later on.
Step 2: Report the Accident to the Police
It is critical that any rideshare accident is properly reported to the police. They will create an official report of what happens and gather crucial pieces of evidence. This report can prove to be enormously useful later on. Police reports often contain an officer’s initial assessment about liability for any collision.
Step 3: Document Everything That You Can
If you’re able to, it is important to document as much as you possibly can after the collision. This will include getting the names and contact information of all parties involved. Several other measures should be taken.
- Photos: Be sure to take photos depicting the scene of the collision. These can also help establish weather conditions at the time of the accident.
- Ride Details: If you were the one that initiated the ride, you can also save important details related to the ride, including the driver and the destination.
- Injuries: It is also important to document any injuries that you sustain.
At the end of the day, the strength of any injury claim will depend largely on available evidence. It’s better to have as much evidence as possible in order to help corroborate your side of the story.
Step 4: Consult with an experienced New Jersey Rideshare Accident Lawyer
One of the most important steps that you can take to protect your health and legal rights after an accident is to speak with an experienced New Jersey rideshare accident lawyer. An attorney can take numerous measures to help protect you in the aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident.
- Investigation: An attorney can investigate all aspects of any accident. This will include determining what may have contributed to a crash.
- Liability: An attorney can help determine all potentially liable parties for a collision. There could be several liable parties.
- Calculate Full Damages: An attorney can calculate all of the damages that you’ve sustained as a result of a rideshare collision. Victims can be compensated for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: One of the most important roles that an attorney can play is to negotiate with insurance providers so that you can be fairly compensated.
Most cases settle. But if insurance providers are not willing to offer a fair settlement, an attorney can litigate your case. Unlike many other attorneys, rideshare accident lawyers do not charge anything upfront. They get paid entirely from the opposing party if they are able to successfully resolve your case.
Getting Legal Help for a New Jersey Rideshare Accident
It can be hard to know where to begin if you’ve been injured in a New Jersey Uber or Lyft accident. Insurance companies will often do everything in their power to settle claims early on in order to avoid paying accident victims fair compensation. It is virtually never a good idea to accept any such settlement and tell you’ve at least had the opportunity to speak with an experienced attorney.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a New Jersey rideshare accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of highly experienced New Jersey rideshare accident attorneys is here to assist you in any way we can. We have dedicated our careers to helping accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to. In fact, we’ve recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our deserving clients. You can contact our law office anytime at (516) 908-9792.
