Injured in an Uber Accident? Contact a Wilkes-Barre Uber Accident Lawyer Today
Uber provides dependable service for those seeking transportation in places like Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It is convenient to call for an Uber driver in order to avoid the cost of owning and maintaining one’s own vehicle. It’s also smart to use a ride-sharing service to avoid driving after having a few drinks out on the town.
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While Uber can be convenient and safe, there are risks inherent in taking a ride with Uber. A recent study conducted jointly by the University of Chicago and Rice University shows that US traffic deaths have increased sharply with the increase in Uber drivers and the use of the Uber app. The study proposes the increase may be caused by Uber drivers operating their vehicles when they are distracted or fatigued.
People often work as Uber drivers in addition to their full-time jobs in order to earn extra income. Uber drivers get on the road after full days of work at the office, retail store, or other business. This means they are often driving while tired or drowsy, which increases the number of Uber car accidents. Just like Uber passengers, Uber drivers use the app to find new passengers and must quickly accept a request. Often this requires the driver to check his phone while driving, leading to distracted driving and accidents.
If you or a loved one were injured in an Uber car accident, or if a family member was killed, contact an experienced Wilkes-Barre Uber accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible. We are ready to discuss the circumstances of the accident and help you understand your legal options.
A Wilkes-Barre Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
Uber considers itself a technology company, not a transportation company, so it maintains only minimal insurance on its drivers. Typically, Uber provides only one million dollars of insurance coverage for its drivers. While this may seem like a lot of money, if you or a loved one have suffered serious injuries as a result of an Uber car accident, your costs for medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and other expenses may be significantly more than this amount.
Uber drivers also must carry auto insurance. However, many do not carry insurance that applies when they are using their vehicles in a business capacity because it can be more costly. Unfortunately, Uber does not require its drivers to carry this kind of commercial insurance coverage. If you are involved in an Uber accident, and the insurance policy held by your driver doesn’t provide business liability for personal vehicles, you may not be able to receive compensation for your injuries without legal representation.
In addition to the limits of the insurance policies, each insurance company may try to shift responsibility onto the other. This complicates your ability to receive compensation for your medical bills and other expenses as a result of the accident.
These insurance scenarios can make it very difficult to obtain compensation from Uber or the driver, or their insurance companies, after an Uber car accident. If no payment is offered, or if a payment too low to cover your medical bills and related expenses is offered, the experienced Wilkes-Barre car accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can step in and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Wilkes-Barre Uber Accident Lawyers Can Prove Who Is At-Fault and Financially Responsible
In accidents involving Uber drivers, it can be challenging to prove who is at fault and which party or insurance company should be required to compensate you for your losses. Uber’s drivers use their personal vehicles for commercial purposes, s0 litigation involving Uber accidents is different than those involving a commercial taxi or bus, neither of which is a personal vehicle.
Even when it is clear who is at fault – for example, if it is clear the Uber driver caused the accident – it can still be difficult to determine who is the financially responsible party and insurer. Sometimes Uber or the company’s insurer may deny your claim, arguing they are not financially responsible for your losses. The Wilkes-Barre accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are experienced in investigating the accident, building a case to prove who is at fault, and determining who should be held financially responsible for the injuries suffered in an Uber car accident. Contact a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Wilkes-Barre Uber accident lawyer for a free consultation to learn how we can help.
Insurance Coverage and Uber Lawsuits
Uber lawsuits present unique challenges in determining the party responsible for providing fair compensation to the victims of Uber car accidents. Uber and its insurance company may only be held financially responsible when the Uber driver is on-duty. An Uber driver is “on-duty” when a passenger is in his vehicle or when the driver has accepted a request and is driving to pick up a passenger. The driver is “off-duty” after he has dropped off a passenger and has not yet accepted a request from a new passenger.
Uber’s liability insurance should cover damages caused by an on-duty driver. However, if the driver is off-duty, you and your attorneys will need to pursue the driver and his insurance company for compensation. In some scenarios, you might be eligible to receive compensation from both insurance companies. In others, it may be difficult to collect from either insurance company.
Wilkes-Barre Uber Accident Lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Have the Right Experience to Help
Our experienced Wilkes-Barre personal injury attorneys are skilled at negotiating settlements with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. While a settlement without courtroom litigation can be the best outcome in some circumstances, it is not always in the victim’s best interest. In those cases, our board-certified trial lawyers are prepared to go to trial to seek the compensation you deserve. The personal injury lawyers of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have extensive experience in the courtroom and have built a national reputation on our trial victories.
Some lawyers who are not as confident in the courtroom may pressure their clients to settle outside of court. Not the personal injury lawyers of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. Instead, we focus on what is best for our clients. Our Wilkes-Barre Uber Accident Lawyers have consistently been named among the top trial lawyers in Pennsylvania and have been named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. We have more than 60 years of experience obtaining the maximum compensation possible for victims of personal injury accidents. Our experience means we advocate zealously and effectively for you, both in settlement and in litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Car Accidents
Q: What should I do if I suffered injuries in an Uber car accident?
A: If you were involved in a Wilkes-Barre Uber car accident, as a passenger, pedestrian, or driver of another vehicle, report the incident as soon as possible to Uber using their app. Then contact an experienced Wilkes-Barre Uber accident lawyer. You can report the accident to your own insurance company, but you have no obligation to speak to Uber, the driver, or their insurance companies. In fact, insurance companies often try to obtain information from victims of Uber accidents to reduce any amount that you may be entitled to receive. It is best to speak with an experienced Wilkes-Barre rideshare accident lawyer first and let your lawyer speak with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Q: Who can file a claim for injuries?
A: The following injured parties are eligible to file a claim against Uber, the driver, or their respective insurance companies:
- Passengers in the Uber car,
- Drivers in other vehicles,
- Pedestrians, and
- Family members of a passenger, other drivers, or pedestrians who died in an Uber accident.
Q: How long do I have to file a claim?
A: The statute of limitations for filing an Uber lawsuit in Pennsylvania is two years. This means you have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault parties. If you do not start your litigation in court within the statute of limitations, you will waive your right to pursue the at-fault parties and they will have no obligation to compensate you for your losses. It is imperative that you contact the Wilkes-Barre car accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys as soon as possible after your accident.
Q: How much does it cost to file an Uber lawsuit?
A: There is no upfront cost to hiring a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys car accident lawyer. We will review your case, determine fault, negotiate with insurance companies, file a lawsuit, and represent you in court. The Uber accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys work on a contingency basis. That means that if we accept your case, we don’t get paid until you receive compensation.
Q: What compensation can I get?
You may be entitled to receive compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and future lost wages
- Damage to your vehicle
- Other expenses and costs incurred as a result of the accident
The amount of compensation varies with the circumstances. A Wilkes-Barre Uber accident lawyer can provide you with an estimate of the compensation you deserve after an investigation and financial analysis are conducted. Questions that affect the compensation you may be entitled to receive include:
- How severe are your injuries?
- Did the accident lead to death?
- How long-lasting are your injuries?
- What was the cause of the accident?
- How much insurance coverage is available from the at-fault party’s insurance company?
Q: How do I know if the Uber driver was at fault?
In order to be at fault, the Uber driver must have caused the accident by acting negligently or recklessly. There are many actions that are deemed negligent or reckless, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving, or falling asleep at the wheel
- Violating traffic laws, like running a red light or stop sign, or speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Proving driver negligence is crucial to obtaining the compensation you deserve, both in court and as part of settlement negotiations.
Q: Do I need a lawyer?
A: Yes, especially if your medical bills are high and your injuries are serious or have lifelong consequences. You only have two years to file an Uber lawsuit. So, it is vital to discuss the accident with a Wilkes-Barre Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible. In order to receive compensation from the financially responsible party, you must prove that the Uber driver caused your injuries through negligence or recklessness.
You must also show that the at-fault party or the insurance company is required to pay for your losses under the circumstances of the Uber car accident. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help. As Wilkes-Barre Uber accident lawyers, we work to collect evidence to show who caused your injuries. We also handle all discussions with witnesses, other attorneys, and insurance companies. Most importantly, we will negotiate and advocate for you to obtain the compensation you deserve.
The sooner you hire a skilled local lawyer, the easier and more effectively your case can be resolved
Consult with a Wilkes-Barre Uber Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were injured in an Uber accident in Wilkes-Barre, or if a family member was killed in an accident, hiring an experienced lawyer is important. The Uber accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can explain your legal rights and whether you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Obtaining the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses after an Uber accident can be complicated. The Uber accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will review the specifics of your accident, answer your questions, and make sure the appropriate parties are held responsible. Call today or contact online Munley Law’s Wilkes-Barre personal injury attorneys as soon as possible for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the circumstances of the accident and your legal options.