With more people relying on rideshare services to get from point A to point B, it’s no surprise that Uber accidents are rising. But when you’re involved in an accident with an Uber driver, knowing who is liable for your injuries and damages is important. The Uber driver, their insurance, Uber, or another driver may be held liable for an accident. However, there are set limitations on who can be held at fault. Because of the intricacies of Wilkes-Barre Uber accidents, if you’ve been hurt in a rideshare collision, you need a trusted Wilkes-Barre Uber accident lawyer from Munley Law to help you navigate liability claims.
Who Can Be Held Liable For an Uber Accident?
When an Uber accident occurs in Wilkes-Barre, determining liability can be complex due to the multiple parties involved and the unique nature of ridesharing services. The following parties can potentially be held liable for an Uber car accident.
- Uber Driver: Uber drivers are no different from any other vehicle operators on the road in terms of making mistakes. If the driver’s negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or traffic violations, led to the accident, they could be held responsible. However, the driver’s auto insurance will apply if the Uber driver was not logged into the app during the accident.
- Uber as a Company: Uber carries a $1 million liability insurance policy that covers accidents when a driver is en route to pick up a rider, during a trip, or online and waiting for a trip. If the Uber driver is at fault, this policy can be used to cover damages.
- Third-Party Drivers: If an accident is the fault of another driver on the road, they can be held liable.
- Vehicle Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers: If a vehicle defect or improper maintenance contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or the entity responsible for maintaining the vehicle could be held liable. This may occur when brakes fail, a transmission dies, or a tire blows on the roadways.
- Government Entities: In cases where poor road conditions, such as potholes or lack of proper signage, contributed to an accident, the government or entity responsible for road maintenance would be liable.
What’s important to remember in these cases is that liability can be difficult to prove, especially for an Uber or Lyft accident. The insurance companies will try to mitigate blame, and the regulations surrounding rideshare services can complicate it quickly.
Uber accident victims need an experienced lawyer who has handled cases involving the rideshare companies. If an Uber driver caused your accident, call Munley Law to learn how you can get fair compensation for your losses and injuries.
Comparative Negligence and Liability in Uber Accidents
In Pennsylvania, Comparative negligence law is critical in determining liability and compensation in Uber accidents. In Uber and Lyft accidents where multiple parties can be held liable, you must know your rights when involved in a collision.
Understanding Comparative Negligence
Comparative negligence assigns a degree of fault to each party involved in a rideshare accident. Pennsylvania utilizes a “modified comparative negligence” model. Under modified comparative negligence, an injured party can only recover damages if their degree of fault is not more than 50%. However, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
For instance, if a passenger is found to be 10% at fault for not wearing a seatbelt during an Uber accident, and the total damages are $100,000, they would only be eligible to receive $90,000.
In Uber accidents, determining comparative negligence can be complex due to the involvement of multiple parties – the Uber driver, the passenger, other drivers, and sometimes pedestrians or cyclists. Each party’s actions leading to the accident are scrutinized to assign fault percentages.
Because of this, you need an Uber accident lawyer who can investigate how the accident occurred, what went wrong, and who was involved. Munley Law represents car accident victims.
Implications for Liability and Insurance Claims
Comparative negligence affects how liability is assigned and how much each insurance company, including Uber, pays out. Those involved in an Uber accident must understand how their actions might impact their ability to claim damages. In some cases, even if the Uber driver is primarily at fault, the passenger’s compensation could be reduced if they were negligent.
Legal representation becomes essential in Uber accident cases. Munley Law helps accident victims navigate the complexities of comparative negligence in car accident cases, especially those with rideshare drivers. We will work to gather evidence, reconstruct the accident scene, and provide legal arguments that accurately present the victim’s degree of fault. Uber accident expertise is critical in ensuring that victims’ rights are protected and receive fair compensation.
Proving negligence in Uber accidents is a complicated process. It requires a thorough examination of the accident circumstances and strong legal advocacy to ensure justice is served in distributing liabilities and compensation.
Involved in an Uber Car Accident? Call Munley Law
Navigating the complex nature of Uber accident liability in Wilkes-Barre requires a deep understanding of Uber’s policies, Pennsylvania’s legal framework, and the principle of comparative negligence.
Whether you’re an Uber passenger, driver, or a third party affected by such an incident, knowing your rights and the complexities involved is crucial. Seeking the expertise of experienced legal professionals like Munley Law can be invaluable in ensuring that your case is handled with the necessary skill and attention, helping you secure fair compensation and justice in these often-complicated scenarios.
If you or a loved one were injured in an Uber accident and have questions about determining liability, Munley Law can help. Our attorneys can explain insurance coverage, damages you can recover, and what rights you have. Call today for a no-obligation, free consultation.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
Wilkes-Barre Practice Areas
