Uber has been providing affordable rideshare services since 2009. As the largest rideshare company in the world, Uber provides millions of riders with transportation throughout Massachusetts and the U.S. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident while driving or riding in an Uber vehicle, you may be eligible for compensation.
The Rehoboth Uber accident lawyers at GED Lawyers have the knowledge necessary to help you seek fair compensation for the injuries you sustained in your Uber rideshare accident.
Committed Massachusetts Injury Attorneys
For more than 20 years, the lawyers at GED Lawyers have effectively represented injury clients in everything from rideshare accidents to product liability, hurricane damage, and wrongful death. Our successful cases include millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients throughout Massachusetts. Some of our success stories include:
- $7.13 million for a commercial trucking accident
- $6.5 million for a gas explosion
- $4.5 million for a vehicle accident
- $2 million for a wrongful death case
- $1.06 million for a bus accident wrongful death
Our legal team is well-versed in Massachusetts statutes and case law as they pertain to transportation, ride sharing, insurance, and negligence. Each of our cases receives personal attention from attorneys who are committed to obtaining a fair settlement.
Typical Causes of Uber Accidents in Massachusetts
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents per year. While Uber and other rideshare companies screen drivers, accidents on the road are always a possibility. Some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Insufficient vehicle maintenance
- Component defects
- Poor road conditions
- Construction and obstacles in the road
Several of the above risk factors are somewhat greater for rideshare drivers. For example, a driver might speed to try and get as many rides in as they can, or they might be distracted by maps or communication from the rideshare app.
No matter the cause, if you were injured in an Uber accident because of someone else’s actions, a rideshare attorney can help you establish the cause and determine fault.
Deciding Who Is at Fault in a Rehoboth Uber Accident
Although the driver of an Uber vehicle is often the first person to be considered at fault, establishing responsibility in a Massachusetts rideshare accident is complicated. There are a number of people or entities that could share fault for the accident, including:
- A third-party driver
- Another passenger
- Uber
- The party responsible for vehicle maintenance
- The vehicle manufacturer if a part is defective
- A commercial vehicle owner
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, so each driver is required to maintain personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. In addition, Uber and other rideshare companies are required to carry rideshare insurance. Because of this, Massachusetts rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are categorized as transportation network companies (TNCs).
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to seek compensation through your PIP, the driver’s PIP, Uber’s rideshare insurance, or a third-party’s insurance carrier. Often, insurance does not cover the full value of losses sustained in a serious accident, so you may also need to file a personal injury lawsuit to obtain the compensation you need for your injuries.
A Rehoboth Uber accident lawyer with GED Lawyers will examine your case and help you establish who was responsible. They can use this information to determine where and when to file an insurance claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
Losses You Can Seek in a Rehoboth Uber Injury Claim or Lawsuit
Any car accident can cause significant injury to drivers and passengers alike. If you are injured in an Uber accident due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay for the injuries you experienced as a result.
A skillful Uber accident attorney can help you establish the full value of losses you sustained, both economic and non-economic. Economic losses may include:
- Medical costs
- Hospital bills
- Surgery, rehabilitation, and therapy
- Lost immediate and future income
- Medical equipment
- In-home care
Non-economic damages you can claim include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Lower quality of life
- Reduced mobility
Our attorneys will help you determine which damages you can claim and place a financial value on your losses, so you can seek compensation for all the difficulties you encountered as a result of the accident.
Our Skillful Rehoboth Rideshare Attorneys Are Here to Help
With decades of experience handling a wide variety of vehicle and car accidents in Massachusetts and other Massachusetts injury claims, the attorneys at GED Lawyers know how to build a solid case for your Uber accident. We will:
- Collect evidence, including photos, medical records, and video footage of the accident
- Obtain communication records from Uber and the driver
- Seek witness statements and expert testimony
- Reconstruct the accident
- Establish the severity of your injuries
- Determine the monetary value of your claim
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File an injury lawsuit against the at-fault party, if necessary
Ways to Help Your Attorney with Your Claim
You can help your attorney and improve your chances for a desirable outcome with these steps:
- Photograph or take a video of the accident scene.
- Seek medical assistance and follow your doctor’s orders exactly.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information.
- Do not discuss the case with anyone except your attorney, the police, and your insurance company.
- Avoid guessing who is at fault for the accident.
- Do not accept a settlement offer or sign an agreement until you talk to your lawyer.
In addition to the above, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Your lawyer will need time to build your case and try to negotiate your settlement before the statute of limitations expires. If you miss the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit, you may lose your chance to seek compensation completely.
Sometimes, the insurance company or at-fault party will try to reduce their liability by running out the clock on the statute of limitations. They may also offer a lowball settlement or try to imply that you were somehow responsible for the accident, fully or partially.
Since Massachusetts law is based on contributory fault, the responsible party can reduce the amount they pay for your settlement if they can prove that they are less at fault.
The dedicated attorneys at GED Lawyers know how to handle these tactics and pursue a fair settlement for your losses.
Speak with Our Compassionate Uber Accident Attorneys Today
GED Lawyers is committed to ensuring that our clients receive fair, thoughtful representation from their initial consultation through the final settlement. Contact our rideshare lawyers today to learn more about your legal right to compensation in your Uber accident case.
