Ride-sharing companies such as Uber have fundamentally changed the way that we travel, yet there is still a risk of getting into an accident. It is crucial to be aware of your legal options and rights if you are involved in an accident while traveling in an Uber in the borough of Queens and/or throughout the city of New York.
Steps to Take After an Accident
An accident can be a frightening and perplexing experience; however, knowing what steps to take to protect yourself and your legal rights in the event of an accident is critical. The following is a list of things you should take immediately following an accident:
Seek Medical Attention
The first and most important thing to do after an accident is to seek medical attention by visiting a hospital. Even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt, it is still a good idea to go and get checked out by a licensed professional. This will not only guarantee that you receive the required medical care, but it will also provide documentation of any injuries you might have sustained as a result of the incident. It is important to keep any documentation you receive from the hospital and show it to your attorney.
It is essential to keep in mind that certain injuries, like whiplash, might not immediately manifest their symptoms. Therefore, it is still essential to get checked out by a doctor, even if you do not believe that you have sustained an injury.
Report the Accident to Uber
You must contact Uber as soon as possible after the collision to inform them of what occurred. They have a team solely responsible for handling accident reports, and that team will conduct an investigation.
You must ensure that a report is filed, in addition to calling the police. Because it is a documented account of what occurred, the official police report may be used as evidence in court.
Collect the Evidence
Collect as much evidence as possible, including photographs of the accident scene, the names and contact information of any witnesses, the identity of the Uber driver, and the insurance information of the other car. It is strongly advised that you save the footage from any recording devices, including dash cams and other types of recorders. This evidence could be used to determine what happened and allocate fault.
It is critical to gather as much information as you can, as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to obtain evidence.
Contact An Uber Accident Lawyer Queens
After an accident, you should make it a priority to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. Retaining a lawyer will give you peace of mind because you will have someone holding your hand through the legal process. Your lawyer will take the evidence you gathered to fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
An attorney will negotiate with insurance company adjusters on your behalf. This will ensure that you do not get taken advantage of and that a fair final settlement is reached. Your attorney will also represent you if your case heads to trial.
Determine Liability
Before taking legal action against Uber, the insurance companies involved should determine who is at fault for the collision. Uber could be held liable for any injuries or property damage resulting from an accident caused by an Uber driver’s negligence. However, if the accident could be determined to be the fault of the other driver.
File a Claim
If you decide to file a claim against Uber, you must do so before your state’s applicable statute of limitations. In the state of New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is normally three years from the date of the accident. Your attorney can assist you in submitting the claim and will handle all of the documentation that is required. Photos of the incident, names, numbers of witnesses, and insurance details for both vehicles involved are all examples of evidence that should be collected and presented.
Negotiate a Settlement
The insurance company for Uber will most likely make a settlement offer once you have submitted a claim to them. If you were injured or suffered property damage as a result of the accident, your attorney will negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company’s adjusters.
Go to Trial
If your claim does not reach a reasonable settlement, your matter may be tried in court. In this scenario, your attorney will be the one to plead your case in front of the judge and jury in court on your behalf. Your attorney will provide facts and the testimony of witnesses to demonstrate both the negligent behavior of the person who is accountable for your losses and the magnitude of those damages.
The Importance of Hiring an Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer
If you were in an accident while riding in an Uber, it is critical that you understand your legal rights and the steps you must take to protect them. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney who has handled Uber accidents is one of the most important steps. In this article, we’ll go over why you should hire a seasoned legal professional to defend you in the event of an Uber accident.
Expertise in Navigating Uber’s Legal System
If an accident occurs while using the Uber service, it is recommended that you hire a lawyer familiar with the Uber Technology systems. Uber is a large, well-funded corporation with its own legal team to defend itself against allegations. A competent attorney can help you negotiate a fair settlement with Uber’s legal team and insurance company for any harm you sustained in the accident.
a Proven and Consistent History of Achieving Success
A successful case record is another indicator of expertise for an Uber accident attorney. They will have experience in handling cases like yours and know how to guide clients through the various legal processes. They will also be equipped with the resources required to collect evidence, conduct interviews with witnesses, and construct a compelling legal case.
If the attorney has a history of winning car accident cases, that is an indication that they have been successful in securing appropriate compensation for their clients. It also shows they have the knowledge, abilities, and experience necessary to fight for you.
Understanding of Local Laws and Regulations
In addition to this, an experienced Uber accident lawyer will have comprehensive knowledge of the relevant local laws and regulations. They will be aware of the unique rules and regulations relating to rideshare accidents in your region and will be able to guide you through the legal proceedings following those laws and regulations.
Ability to Represent You in Court
One additional benefit of working with an experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyer is that, should it become necessary, they will be able to defend you in court. Experienced Uber accident lawyers will know how to present your case to a judge and jury, and they’ll be prepared with evidence and witness testimony to show the other party’s carelessness and negligence.
Managing Your Relationships with Insurance Companies
Experienced Lyft accident lawyers will also know how to deal with insurance companies and will be able to advise you on the necessary steps to file a claim. They will be able to do this since they have dealt with insurance companies before. They may speak with the insurance provider on your behalf to get a satisfactory settlement.
Insurance companies are notorious for attempting to settle claims in the shortest amount of time and for the lowest amount feasible. A good attorney will be able to walk you through the procedure and guarantee that you are not exploited by the insurance company.
Common Errors That Should Be Avoided Following an Uber Accident
When traveling in an Uber, being involved in an accident may be a harrowing and befuddling experience. However, it is essential to have an understanding of the actions you should take to safeguard yourself and your legal rights. Unfortunately, there are also typical errors that individuals make following an accident, which may hinder their potential to collect reasonable compensation.
Mistake 1: Not Seeking Medical Attention
After an accident, the first and most essential thing to do is get medical assistance for yourself and anybody else involved. You must get medical attention, even if you do not believe that you have sustained any serious injuries. This will not only make certain that you get the necessary medical attention, but it will also give proof of any injuries you may have received due to the event. It is essential to have this paperwork on hand for insurance coverage reasons and the law.
Mistake 2: Waiting to Report the Accident
You need to contact Uber as quickly as possible after the collision and let them know what happened. They have a staff that is solely responsible for handling accident reports, and that team will look into what happened. You must notify Uber of the accident as soon as you possibly can, since the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to collect evidence and determine what took place.
Mistake 3: Not Gathering Enough Evidence
Another error that individuals often make in the aftermath of an Uber accident is failing to collect sufficient evidence. Gather as much evidence as you can, such as pictures of the accident site, names and numbers of witnesses, and the Uber or Lyft driver’s information as well as the insurance information for the other driver and car.
Choose Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates for Skilled Legal Representation in Queens, NY
If you’ve been involved in an accident while riding in an Uber, it can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. You should avoid going through the legal procedure all by yourself if at all possible. Because of this, Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates in Queens, NY, is the best option for you if you need skilled legal assistance.
Our Uber accident lawyers at Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates have considerable expertise defending clients in legal matters in an Uber or Lyft accident. We are familiar with the particular difficulties that are associated with these situations and are aware of how to successfully traverse the legal procedure to guarantee that our clients are awarded the compensation to which they are legally entitled.
Our reliable personal injury attorney will be by your side every step of the way, from the first investigation and collection of evidence to the subsequent negotiations with insurance companies and, if required, representation in court. We will see to it that your legal rights are upheld and that you are fairly compensated for any injuries or property damage that you may have experienced as a result of the accident.
Get in touch with us as soon as possible to set up a no-cost consultation, and allow us to assist you in securing the compensation to which you are entitled.