Have you been hurt in an Uber accident in Carlisle, PN? If so, a Carlisle Uber accident lawyer may be able to help.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates has over 120 years of combined experience helping injured people. We know how to litigate Uber accident cases and negotiate with multiple insurance companies.
Call our office at (717) 995-8732 to learn more about our services and your legal options. Our Carlisle Uber accident attorneys are standing by.
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Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help You Get Money After An Uber Accident In Carlisle, PA
Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you recover compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other costs that happen because of an accident or your injury. Our personal injury attorneys in Carlisle have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients since we opened our doors in 2008.
When you hire us to handle your Uber accident case in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, we will:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- File insurance claims on your behalf
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Calculate your damages
- File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
- Stand up for you in court
Our team will create a strategy specifically designed to achieve your goals. This will allow you to focus on healing, while we focus on your legal case. Call us to speak with a Carlisle personal injury lawyer.
Uber Accident Basics
Ubers and rideshares have taken the world by storm. Calling an Uber is a convenient way to get around Carlisle, just like many other cities in Pennsylvania.
However, riding in an Uber comes with risks. Specifically, the risk that your driver will get into an accident while you’re in the backseat. Whether it’s your driver’s fault or someone else on the road, you are still vulnerable to getting hurt while in an Uber.
Many people assume that an Uber driver is a professional. However, this isn’t the reality. Almost anyone can become an Uber driver, and most drivers only work for Uber part-time. As a result, you can’t rely on your driver to be any better than an average driver on the road.
What Causes Uber Accidents?
Uber accidents are no different from any other type of car accident. There are very similar causes for both types of accidents.
Sometimes Uber accidents happen because of the Uber driver’s mistakes. Other times they happen because of another driver’s mistake. In certain circumstances, a crash may happen because of unsafe conditions on the road.
Some of the most common causes of Uber accidents are:
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Running red lights
- Failing to yield to the right of way
- Illegal U-turns
- Poor weather conditions
- Defective equipment
- Inadequate or improper signage
- Obstructions in the road
Our lawyers can help you recover compensation no matter the cause of the Uber accident. We can even help you find out what caused it. This is important when negotiating with insurance companies and filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Common Injuries From Uber Accidents
In our experience, an Uber crash can leave passengers with injuries ranging from mild to severe. Unfortunately, sometimes the injuries are catastrophic or fatal.
Some of the most common injuries are:
- Brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Broken or fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Neck and back injuries
In addition to physical injuries, Uber accidents can also leave riders with emotional injuries and unresolved trauma.
The extent of the injuries will vary from person to person. Some people may have more than one injury that never fully heals. Our lawyers will work closely with your doctors to understand the complexities of your injury and the prognosis. This will help us calculate a case value and advocate for the full compensation that you need to heal.
Do Uber Drivers Receive Training?
Uber drivers generally do not receive any driving-related training. They are not required to undergo a driving test or to demonstrate their driving ability. However, there are certain requirements that each Uber driver must meet to be eligible to drive.
The requirements to become an Uber driver are:
- Be of the minimum driving age in your city
- Have your license for at least one year (or three years if under the age of 25)
- Access to a 4-door vehicle
- Proof of residency
- Proof of car insurance
Additionally, each driver must pass a criminal background check and have a clean driving record. A clean driving record includes no major traffic violations on your driving record and no recent history of multiple minor traffic violations on your driving record.
While driving history helps determine whether someone is generally a safe driver, it doesn’t paint the full picture. Many people have gotten into accidents and have not received any traffic violations related to the incident. Furthermore, sometimes accidents go unreported. Plus, it’s common knowledge that bad drivers don’t always get caught.
Plus, the pressures of driving for Uber can turn a good driver into a bad one. For example, many drivers are trying to maximize their rides to maximize their income. This incentivizes drivers to speed, rush, and break traffic laws. It also incentivizes drivers to work long hours or late nights when they may be sleepy. This can increase the chances of getting into an accident.
What Is The Value Of My Carlisle Uber Accident Case?
The value of your Carlisle Uber accident case is not always a straightforward calculation. The value of your case depends on the way that the crash happened, and the type of injuries that you have experienced.
Some things that may impact the value of your case are:
- The permanency of your injury
- The need for ongoing medical treatment
- The impact of your injury on your daily life
- Your ability to earn income and work
- The mental and emotional trauma caused by the accident and/or your injury
- The effect of your injury on your relationships
When you hire us as your lawyer, we will calculate an estimated case value from the beginning. This will give you an idea of what to expect at the end of it all, and guide us through negotiations with insurance companies. Without an estimated case value, you might be at risk of settling for less than you deserve.
What Damages Can I Get After Carlisle Uber Accident?
The money that you get from insurance or the defendant after an Uber accident is called “damages.”
In general, damages are meant to make you whole again. This means putting you in the same position as before you were hurt. Of course, they cannot turn back time and take away your pain, but they can ease your financial suffering and give you access to the resources you need to move forward.
Economic Damages
The most common form of damage is economic damages. This category reimburses you for past and future financial losses that happen because of your accident or injury.
In an Uber accident case, this may include:
- Medical bills
- Follow-up treatment
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
We will prove these damages through documentation like bills, credit card statements, and paystubs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate an Uber crash victim for their pain and suffering. This may include payment for:
- Emotional anguish and trauma
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- The onset of mental illness
- Permanent disfigurement
This category is harder to prove. Usually, it will include your testimony, testimony of loved ones, or records of mental health treatment.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from the previous two categories. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the defendant and prevent them from making the same decision in the future.
However, punitive damages are only available in certain instances when the defendant was:
- Malicious
- Wanton
- Willful
- Oppressive
- Acting with an evil motive
- Acting with reckless indifference to others rights
The plaintiff has the burden to prove that punitive damages should be awarded because they are related to the state’s interest in punishing the defendant’s behavior, and they are not arbitrary. This is a much higher standard than in pure negligence cases.
Does Car Insurance Pay After An Uber Accident in Carlisle?
When it comes to Uber accidents, car insurance can be tricky. Uber carries insurance for its drivers while they are working, and the driver may have their car insurance. Furthermore, you may have PIP or liability insurance if you have a car that is registered in PA. So which policy applies?
If the Uber driver wasn’t logged into the app at the time of the accident, it is treated like a normal car accident. You can file a claim with your PIP insurance and then recover damages that go beyond your policy limit from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You can only ask for non-economic damages if the accident caused serious impairment, permanent disfigurement, or death.
If the Uber driver was logged into the app but had not accepted a ride, you will first go through your PIP insurance, then the driver’s insurance. If this doesn’t cover your total damages, Uber’s car insurance policy will come into play.
This policy covers:
- Bodily injury up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, and
- Property damage up to $25,000 per accident
If the Uber driver had accepted the ride, then Uber has a higher auto insurance policy that kicks in. This policy will cover up to:
- $1,000,000 in liability coverage, and
- $1,000,000 in uninsured motorist coverage
Car insurance can be complicated. It’s best to hire an Uber accident lawyer to help you file the appropriate claim and make sure you are following the right procedure.
What Is The Statute of Limitations For A Carlisle, PA Uber Accident Case?
The statute of limitations for a Carlisle, PA Uber accident case is two years from the date of the accident. This deadline is important. If you miss it, you will lose your legal right to ask for oc compensation through the courts.
It might seem like a long time, but it will go quickly – especially if you have to work with several insurance companies before going to court. By hiring a lawyer, you can keep track of this deadline (and others) to make sure that you don’t close the door on your chance to recover money.
Call A Carlisle Uber Accident Attorney To Schedule A Free Consultation
If you’re ready to speak with an Uber accident attorney, call Marzzacco Niven & Associates to set up a free consultation. We are available to talk about your case and explain how we can help. There’s no-strings-attached and no harm in learning more about your options from a Carlisle Uber accident lawyer.