The average settlement for an Uber accident in New Jersey varies significantly based on individual factors. Settlements can range from moderate to substantial, considering elements like injury severity, fault determination, and prognosis. Victims may be able to recover economic damages, which include tangible expenses, and noneconomic damages, which include intangible losses such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
When you choose to log in to the Uber or Lyft app to take you from one place to another, you are probably thinking about getting to the pickup location, grabbing your keys, and figuring out how far away your driver is. The last thing you are thinking about is getting into a vehicle collision. If you were in an accident during your trip as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, as well as any property damage.
You also may be curious about the average settlement for an Uber/Lyft accident in New Jersey. The team at Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. are more than happy to help you understand who is responsible for your accident, how much your NJ Uber/Lyft accident settlement may be worth, and how to receive compensation. Contact us today!
What to Know If You Are in an Uber/Lyft Accident
Accidents happen, and just like any other driver, rideshare drivers are required to have car insurance. New Jersey Statute § 39:5H-10 requires ridesharing companies or their drivers to carry insurance policies. Drivers must be logged in and waiting to receive rides at the time the accident occurs. Otherwise, only their own personal insurance will apply. If they are logged in but are not en route to the passenger location or on a trip, $50,000 is available from the rideshare company insurance policy. If the driver is heading to pick up a passenger or is driving them to their requested destination, up to $1,500,000 may be available to cover the cost of injuries. Your status as a passenger and who was at fault will also make a difference in your settlement.
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What Is the Average Settlement of an Uber/Lyft Accident in New Jersey?
Vehicle accidents can range from inconvenient to catastrophic and everything in between. Because there is so much variance from one accident to the next, there is no way to accurately determine the average settlement of an Uber/Lyft accident in New Jersey. There are a number of factors that can impact your NJ Uber/Lyft accident settlement. Some of these include the severity of your injuries, your prognosis, the determination of fault, and more. There are two types of compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Economic Damages
The actual expenses related to your accident are considered economic damages and serve to alleviate the monetary impact of your injuries or property damage. This could include costs for the following:
- Emergency medical care,
- Surgery or treatment,
- Medication or medical supplies,
- Follow-up care,
- In-home assistance,
- Lost wages, and
- Property damage.
There may be other additional expenses that apply depending on the nature of your injury. It is important to also consider future expenses that could arise—such as the need for long-term care or an inability to return to the type of work you do.
Noneconomic Damages
Though they are more difficult to quantify, noneconomic damages are important to your claim. These damages take into account the mental and emotional impact of what you have endured, including the following:
- Pain and suffering,
- Anxiety,
- Depression,
- Post-traumatic stress,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Embarrassment.
There are many other ways that a serious injury can impact your life. These subjective, intangible, noneconomic losses are unique to you. An attorney can help you determine the best way to calculate and prove your noneconomic damages.
How to File a Claim for Your Uber or Lyft Accident
If you were in an Uber or Lyft accident, you could be dealing with multiple insurance companies. New Jersey requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover injuries, regardless of who is at fault for an accident. You could potentially be dealing with your own insurance company, the driver’s insurance company, Uber or Lyft’s insurance, or that of another driver involved in the crash. Things may be straightforward, but more often than not, they are complicated.
It is important to recognize that insurance companies may offer you a lower NJ Uber/Lyft accident settlement than you deserve, hoping that you will take what you can get to cover your bills. You do not have to take the first offer that is presented—in fact, you shouldn’t. People who take initial lowball offers usually find that they later need more to cover additional expenses. But once you accept an offer, you are stuck with it. You cannot go back later and ask for more. So speak to an attorney to make sure the offer is fair and will cover future expenses before accepting.
In some cases, the policy limit may not cover the extent of your injuries. In this case, you may consider filing a lawsuit to receive the compensation you need to care for your injuries.
Do You Need an Accident Attorney
If you want to get the settlement you need to recover financially from a crash you didn’t cause, an experienced rideshare lawyer is imperative. At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., our highly-rated personal injury attorneys have three decades of experience representing vehicle accident victims in Hoboken and throughout both New Jersey and New York. We have recovered millions on behalf of our clients. Contact us to schedule your case consultation.
David Pierguidi and Jared Glugeth understand how hard it may be for you and your family following an accident resulting from someone’s negligent actions. Get the medical treatment you need right away and then call our law firm at any time of day for answers to your questions.