Hurt in an Uber in Rochester, New York

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as a Super Lawyer, Has Spent Years Helping Rochester Car Accident Victims Assert Their Rights to a Fair Recovery. If You or a Loved One Has Been Injured in an Uber Accident That Was Not Your Fault, Our Experienced Team of Attorneys Could Help You Assess Your Damages, negotiate a Settlement, or Press Your Claim at Trial.

Getting around Rochester without a car is not easy.

In the not-so-distant past, flying into Frederick Douglass Airport or coming home after a big night out meant coordinating rides and calling taxi companies. Today, rideshare applications like Uber have taken a lot of the hassle out of travel. With the click of a button, you can usually find a driver within a matter of minutes.

Most Uber drivers make a good-faith effort to keep their passengers safe, but accidents are not uncommon. No matter the reason, accidents can hurt, both physically and financially.

If you have been hurt in an Uber, getting help is not always easy, especially if there are any unanswered questions about fault and causation. Even if you know exactly who should be held responsible for your injuries, insurance claims do not always pay enough to cover the costs of a serious injury. To make matters worse, companies like Uber are often reluctant to settle rideshare lawsuits. They know that a settlement could open the floodgates for further litigation, and they will typically do everything in their power to prevent a case from going to trial.

Standing up to a multibillion-dollar company might seem like an intimidating prospect, but you do not have to do it alone. A recognized U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firm, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent more than 20 years helping New Yorkers assert their right to a fair recovery. Our experienced team of Uber accident lawyers knows what it takes to build a compelling, evidence-based case for compensation, and we have the results to prove it. Please send us a message online or call us today at 585-939-3939 to speak to an Uber injury attorney and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

At least at first glance, fault in Uber accidents is similar to fault in other crashes.

Under most circumstances, the driver who causes the collision will be found at fault for it, too. This usually means the Uber driver, or the driver of another car. However, in some cases, another party could be named as a defendant. If, for example, a negligent property owner failed to repair a pothole and that pothole caused your accident, they could share responsibility for your injuries.

The most common defendants in Uber injury claims include:

1. The Uber driver;
2. Another motorist;
3. A property owner; and
4. The rideshare company.

Fault and liability matter most when you have been seriously hurt.

New York is a no-fault state, and no-fault benefits extend to passengers. This means that you will typically have to file an insurance claim before taking further legal action. No-fault coverage can help with medical debt and lost income from work, but it is subject to the policyholder’s limits and will often fall short when intensive medical treatment is necessary.

If you have sustained serious injuries, a term that has a distinct statutory definition, then you may have other options, up to and including filing a personal injury lawsuit. Uber passengers are also eligible for special liability protection, which is provided by the rideshare company and activated whenever a driver goes to pick up and drop off a customer.

Many people are familiar with the principle of vicarious liability.

Vicarious liability is a legal theory that suggests that an employer can sometimes be held liable for the negligent actions of their employees. Proving vicarious liability involves showing that the employee’s negligence was committed within the scope of their employment or with the management’s tacit permission. This theory is often invoked in personal injury claims against transportation providers, including taxi companies and logistics services.

However, holding Uber vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence can be difficult.

Many people think of Uber like a digital taxi company, but it has spent many years and massive amounts of money insisting otherwise. In past court filings, attorneys for Uber have described the company as a technology platform that connects drivers with passengers. It does not employ any drivers of its own; instead, it hires them as independent contractors, providing the software and support for ridesharing. Because Uber is not a direct employer, it cannot typically be held liable for the negligence of its drivers.

Under certain, limited circumstances, passengers can sue Uber for negligence if they have evidence that the company’s practices contributed to the accident. This might happen if Uber:

1. Hired a driver who failed a background check;
2. Ignored rider complaints about a dangerous driver; and
3. Failed to discipline or take action against a contractor with multiple safety infractions.

Your Uber injury lawyer will help you determine if you could have a case against Uber. Even if you are not entitled to sue, you could have more options for compensation than you expect.

You should never have to pay for an accident that was not your fault.

For more than 30 years, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has helped our clients stand up to some of the biggest and most powerful companies in the country. If you have been injured in an Uber, we could help you explore your best options for compensation. This could include:

1. Checking if you are eligible for no-fault benefits;
2. Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver;
3. Initiating a claim through Uber’s commercial liability insurance policy, which provides up to $1.25 million for bodily injury, death, and property damage; and
4. Suing Uber for hiring or retaining a dangerous driver.

Since the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. works on a contingency-fee basis, we would not ask you to pay for your consultation or our legal services. When we take a case, we take payment as a set percentage of your eventual award. If we cannot win, we do not get paid, and you will not owe us for our time.

Talking to a personal injury lawyer costs nothing, but it could make the difference between a bad settlement and a comprehensive recovery. Do not take chances with your rights: call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at 585-939-3939 to speak to an Uber injury lawyer near Rochester and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 585-939-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Rochester, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!