Millions of people use taxis, limousines, Lyft and Uber to get around every day. At Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman, our experienced personal injury attorneys handle all types of transportation accident cases and can help you understand important distinctions between professional drivers and independent contractors. If you’ve been hurt in a taxi or Uber accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, we pursue all avenues to help you recover maximum compensation.
Liability In Taxi & Limo Accidents
Depending on how a company operates, determining liability in a limo or taxi accident can be tricky. If a professional driver is at fault for an accident, liability is generally determined by the relationship the driver has with the company. Taxi companies typically use one of three common models in which the driver either uses a vehicle they own, rents the vehicle from the taxi company or drives a company-owned vehicle as an employee.
If a negligent driver owns the vehicle that’s involved in a limo or taxi accident, typically only the driver is liable for all damages. If an at-fault driver rents the car from a company, both the driver and the taxi company may be responsible for your damages. However, if the company owns the vehicles and the driver is an employee, the company or their insurer may be legally responsible for all damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.
After a taxi or limo accident, sorting out who may be responsible for your damages can be challenging, especially if you are injured and trying to heal. Seeking the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney is vital to ensure you receive the medical care you need and the compensation you deserve.
Seeking Compensation In Lyft & Uber Accidents
In order to protect consumers, many states have passed legislation that regulates rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber. In 2017, New Jersey passed the Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act, which created new regulations that require rideshare companies to carry a larger amount of liability insurance than the standard New Jersey auto insurance policy. This statute also ensures that those injured by negligent Uber or Lyft drivers are not subject to New Jersey’s verbal threshold, which limits an injured party’s ability to sue for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering.
This means that if you’re hurt in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you may be entitled to recover damages from the driver, the transportation network company (Uber, Lyft) or another at-fault driver. However, there are many legal issues that can arise. Insurance companies try as hard as they can to avoid paying compensation and often try to deny valid claims altogether. For example, an Uber driver’s insurance company may deny your claim if the driver has personal auto insurance, not commercial auto insurance. Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys are well-versed in taking on auto insurance companies and fight aggressively to protect your rights and interests.
Contact An Experienced Uber Accident Attorney In New Jersey
If you’ve been injured in a taxi, Lyft or Uber accident, our personal injury lawyers can help you recover maximum compensation for your damages. Call Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman in Jersey City at 201-798-2711 or in West Milford at 973-874-0556, or contact us online for a free phone consultation. If you are unable to travel due to injuries, we offer home and hospital visits throughout Northern New Jersey. Se habla Español.
