Uber is the biggest thing to hit the New York City streets in qutie awhile, and city residents are using the service in droves. The ride-share company seeks to connect passengers to drivers using a mobile app, making it more personal and easier to use than a traditional yellow taxi in many circumstances. In large cities such like New York, Uber is rapidly becoming the preferred transportation method for millions of users for everything from running daily errands to transporting groups of people to the airport or a night on the town.
Unfortunately, this success of Uber has caused an increase in the number of auto accidents involving Uber vehicles. These types of crashes can be difficult to navigate due to the company’s employment structure. Uber does not consider its drivers to be employees, but “independent contractors” who work out of their own personal cars and can pick and choose their clients. This makes it more difficult to hold the company at-fault for injuries in the event of a crash-they would prefer you to seek out the individual driver, but the individual driver wants you to go through Uber itself. Uber also avoids defining itself as a car service but rather a technology company, making it more difficult to place blame on the company and keying in on fault of the driver.
Fortunately, victims of Uber automobile accidents can win compensation if they contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in auto accidents. The company recently began providing liability insurance coverage for vehicle operators in the amount of $50,000/$100,000/$25,000. Passengers during a crash are also eligible for reparation from the driver’s insurance policy, which they must have to be an Uber contractor. Even drivers of other vehicles, as well as pedestrians, involved in a crash with an Uber vehicle can receive compensation.
Be sure to get your Uber drivers’ name, contact information, car make and model, license plate number, and, if possible, his Uber identification number or information. This will help when you contact Uber itself and then when you file a claim or suit.
Uber’s success is undeniable-it has become a part of life in major cities across the world. However, understanding who is responsible after an accident can be confusing, especially when the company often tries to distance itself from its independent contractors when problems arise. If those involved in the crash are not cooperating and direct communication with Uber is difficult to obtain, the situation becomes extremely frustrating.
The attorneys at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny have over a century of combined experience and achieved over $250 million in verdicts and settlements to prove their success rate. Our attorneys are very familiar with the roadways and laws in and around New York City and have been tackling car accident cases since they began their careers. This is their expertise and they are here to help you get the results you deserve. Call our office today to speak to an attorney about your next steps after a car accident.
