Staten Island Uber Accident Attorney

Although the classic yellow NYC Taxi will also be an unofficial symbol of The Big Apple, ridesharing has taken a large share of business.  This particularly includes Uber, a ridesharing giant and one of the leaders in the United States of ridesharing.  Not only has Uber made it safer and often more convenient to hail a ride in New York City, it has also helped bring affordable options to residents, business people, and tourists alike.  While ridesharing services have done a good job at keeping us safe, unfortunately, our Uber accident lawyer in Staten Island knows that this is not always the case.

In fact, sometimes ridesharing can even make it more dangerous.  According to at least one study, ridesharing apps have actually increased traffic-related fatalities in the United States by up to 3%.  Even though Uber tried to discount this in their US Safety Report, claiming there were only 100 fatalities using their service, many critics argue that this is not a true and accurate statistic. As an Uber accident lawyer in Staten Island, the argument against Uber’s statistics is compelling because ridesharing apps will vehemently refute liability in any type of accident – especially a fatal one – thus lowering their “true” statistics.

This also means that recovering compensating in a ridesharing accident is more dangerous and difficult.  If you or a loved one were seriously injured in any type of ridesharing accident in New York City or Long Island, please call our experienced lawyers and professionals at the O’Connor Law Firm for help.  Our Uber accident lawyer in Staten Island can help you and your family recover the compensation that you deserve for your personal injuries.  Call to schedule a FREE consultation today.

Understanding Why Ridesharing Accidents are Different Than Other Crashes

Although an Uber accident may appear to be just like any other type of motor vehicle accident, it really is not.  That is because there are unique liability issues that surround every ridesharing accident.  There are also unique factual issues that also plague ridesharing cases.  That is why everyone needs to get an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Staten Island, like ours, to protect their rights to compensation.

Some of the most obvious differences between ridesharing accidents and other crashes include the following:

• Insurance Coverage – many times a ridesharing app will push liability to the driver’s insurance, not covering their own, even though Uber must provide some coverage to all drivers and riders.
• Liability – ridesharing apps will often argue that a driver is an independent contractor or freelancer, and not an employee. That is because, under New York law, employers are variously responsible for employees.  But this argument by Uber and other ridesharing apps is bogus.  They cannot shift blame to a driver while raking in the profits of rides.  While a less-experienced lawyer may fall victim to this argument, our experienced Uber accident lawyer in Staten Island will not let a defendant get away with that argument.
• Whether a Ride Was Ongoing – a common argument made by ridesharing apps is that the ride was over, or that the driver and rider were engaged in a private ride as opposed to an app ride. This argument also fails, especially when the app shows that a ride was still ongoing.  However, it can be difficult to prove that with a less-experienced or competent lawyer.  Always hire a lawyer like ours who knows how to fight Uber and other ridesharing companies.

Tips on What to Do If You Were in a Ridesharing Accident in NYC 

Unlike other car crashes and truck wrecks, there are some unique issues with ridesharing accidents.  Individuals can improve their claims by doing some of the following:

• Call 911 – even if you are unsure whether you suffered a serious injury, always call 911 to get first responders to come and write up an incident report.
• Take a screenshot of the ride in progress map – after a crash in an Uber, take a screenshot of your cell phone with the map up, showing that you are still in the middle of your ride or that your ride was still ongoing. This is essential when a crash occurs at the start or end of a ride, where Uber may claim that ride had not started or was done when the accident occurred.
• Get evaluated by doctors – if you are hurt, even with a minor ache or pain, always get evaluated by EMS or a healthcare provider at a hospital. Not only could this save your life, but it can help your Uber accident lawyer in Staten Island support your claim for compensation. That is because it can be harder to recover compensation when you do not have a medical report or recorded injured.
• Take photographs of street signs, the vehicles, and roadway debris – taking photographs of signage, impact points, debris, and even the drivers can help you prove your claim later. This is particularly true if the ridesharing app contests the location of a crash or that the driver was not the user the ride was assigned to (i.e., they swapped before the ride started or after the crash)
• Call an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Staten Island BEFORE you call your insurance carrier – in most instances, you only have weeks to call your insurance carrier to report an accident. But as soon as you do, even your own carrier will try to limit your claim by undermining your injuries or over-exaggerating your comparable fault. That can be used against you in court.  Do not let this happen to you, let an experienced car accident lawyer handle your claim and contact your insurance carrier first.

Injured in a Ridesharing Crash in NYC?  Call our Uber Accident Lawyer in Staten Island to Protect Your Rights to Compensation

If you or a loved one suffered personal injuries in a ridesharing accident in Staten Island, please call our experienced Uber accident lawyer in Staten Island at the O’Connor Law Firm to schedule your FREE case evaluation.  We handle cases in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Long Island, and in surrounding areas. To learn more about your rights, call to schedule your FREE consultation with our compassionate and experienced bodily injury law firm by dialing (718) 948-3500 or using our “Contact Us” box available here.