Cherry Hill residents and visitors use rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft because they are relatively convenient and inexpensive. Rideshares are frequently used for rides to the airport or for rides home after a night out when alcohol was consumed.
Most of the time Uber rides go smoothly, but as our Cherry Hill Uber Accident Attorneys know, when an accident happens, things can get complicated for injured parties.
Uber Accidents Are Not Like Typical Car Accidents
See below for examples of why an Uber accident is not like a typical Car Accident.
- Insurance coverage – Insurance coverage has so far proven to be the stickiest issue when it comes to Uber accidents. When an Uber driver causes an accident, there are often issues as to whose (the driver or Uber) insurance covers injured parties.
- Driver training and background checks – When you take a cab or other regulated transportation, you know your driver is subject to federal and state training regulations and background checks. Rideshares are not part of the regulated transportation industry so they are not subject to the same training and background check requirements.
- Regulated hours of service – Likewise, rideshares do not have the same drive hour limits as those in the regulated transportation industry. Uber sets drive limitations for its drivers, but many drivers drive for other rideshares as well so they can drive for the other company when their drive time expires for Uber.
- Independent contractors – Uber drivers are considered independent contractors rather than Uber employees and this allows rideshare companies to escape liability and regulation. Remember that part about how people like to take Ubers because they are convenient and inexpensive? Part of what keeps their rates low is the lack of oversight, training, maintenance, and other regulations/requirements for Ubers because the drivers are classified as independent contractors.
New Jersey Uber laws
New Jersey has implemented rideshare laws meant to offer protections for New Jersey residents and visitors who use Uber. New Jersey has set background check and insurance coverage requirements for rideshare drivers who operate in the state.
This is good news for people who use rideshares in New Jersey, but it still leaves some complicated issues of liability and coverage when it comes to Uber accidents.
What To Do If You Are In an Accident
If you are involved in an Uber accident, be sure to get the medical treatment that you need as soon as possible. If you are able to, take pictures of the accident scene and property damage.
Get contact information from witnesses and write down everything about the accident that you can remember including events leading up to the accident and what happened afterwards. It is important to take note of anything that witnesses said after the accident as well.
If you have sustained injuries in a rideshare accident caused by someone else’s fault, contact a Cherry Hill Uber Accident Attorney to Schedule a Consultation. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries and damages and we will work to make that happen.