Uber Accident Lawyers in South New Jersey

Uber Accident Lawyer in Pennsauken and Cherry Hill

Uber is the premier ridesharing company not only in New Jersey, but across the country and world. According to recent data, Uber has a commanding 70 percent of the rideshare market in the United States, completing nearly seven billion rides per year. While Uber and other rideshare companies offer users unrivaled convenience, the service also poses a number of serious risks.

At its core, the Uber business model requires users to get into a car with a complete stranger. A passenger has no idea of the driver’s skills or driving history. Many users are surprised to find out that there are very few requirements for becoming an Uber driver. Most notable is the absence of any skills test. Not surprisingly, South Jersey Uber accidents are common.

At the South New Jersey rideshare accident law firm of Petrillo & Goldberg, we help Uber accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve. Our dedicated team of attorneys has extensive experience dealing with complex insurance policies and knows what it takes to loosen the tight purse strings of even the most difficult insurance company. At the same time, as aggressive litigators, we are prepared to take a case to trial if an insurance company refuses to fairly compensate our client.

The Phases of an Uber Ride

One of the most challenging aspects of a South Jersey Uber accident lawsuit is understanding how insurance plays into the recovery process. Under state law, Uber must maintain can insurance on behalf of its drivers. The Uber insurance policy divides the rideshare experience up into three parts. Notably, when a driver’s Uber app is not open, or they are not accepting rides, the company’s insurance policy is not involved. In these situations, the driver’s own insurance policy is the first place to look for coverage. Otherwise, Uber’s insurance policy breaks up a ride into three parts:  

Phase One – The Uber app is open, and the driver is awaiting a ride request 

The first phase of an Uber ride is when the driver’s Uber app is open and they are waiting for a ride request. During this phase, the Uber driver’s personal policy is the first source of coverage. However, Uber’s insurance policy provides an additional $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident in coverage.

When it comes to the driver’s individual policy, in New Jersey, all motorists must maintain bodily injury liability coverage in the amount of at least $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident. That said, most insurance policies include exclusions for accidents that occur while the insured is transporting someone for a fee. Thus, Uber drivers and should purchase rideshare insurance. However, not all drivers purchase this additional insurance.

Phase Two – The driver is matched up with a rider

As soon as the Uber app matches a driver and passenger, the company’s primary insurance policy applies. Specifically, that policy includes:

• $1.5 million in bodily injury coverage
• $1.5 million in third-party liability coverage
• $1.5 million in uninsured or underinsured motorist protection

Under New Jersey law, an Uber passenger is guaranteed up to $1.5 million in coverage for their medical expenses. Thus, even if a driver’s personal insurance policy lapsed, or did not apply, Uber is responsible for the full $1.5 million in coverage.

Phase Three – Once the driver picks up the passenger

Phase Three of an Uber ride begins when the driver picks up the passenger and lasts until the driver drops the passenger off at their destination. The insurance coverage available in Phase Three is identical to that in Phase Two.

• $1.5 million in bodily injury coverage
• $1.5 million in third-party liability coverage
• $1.5 million in uninsured or underinsured motorist protection

While Uber’s insurance policy seemingly provides ample coverage in Phases Two and Three, the coverage outside these phases is significantly less. Additionally, because these insurance limits are cumulative, even the Phase Two and Phase Three limits can easily be reached if there are multiple passengers who are injured in the crash.

The Challenges of Dealing With an Insurance Company After a Lyft Accident

While Uber carries insurance coverage to help provide a means of compensation for accident victims, the decision on whether to pay out on a claim rests with the insurance company. Of course, insurance companies are profit-motivated corporations that are concerned primarily with the company’s bottom line. Not surprisingly, providing fair compensation for accident victims is not among the priorities of an insurance company.

Often, insurance companies will look for any reason to deny an accident victim’s claim. Anyone injured in a South Jersey Lyft accident should consult with a dedicated personal injury attorney for assistance with their claim.

Contact a Dedicated South New Jersey Rideshare Accident Lawyer for Immediate Assistance

If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a South Jersey Uber accident, contact the knowledgeable and compassionate personal injury lawyers at Petrillo & Goldberg. With extensive experience handling all types of South New Jersey car accident claims, our lawyers understand even the most complex insurance policies. We are also effective in dealing with difficult insurance companies. Our priority is to settle your case for as much as possible through pre-trial negotiations; however, as seasoned litigators, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial if the other side is unwilling to engage in fair negotiations. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation, call 856-249-9288 today.