Hackensack Uber Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has experienced an Uber accident in Hackensack, the emotional and physical recovery process can be overwhelming. At Reinartz Law Firm, we understand the unique challenges that arise from rideshare accidents and are here to guide you through the legal process.

Our Hackensack Uber Accident Lawyers are committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

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Why Choose Our Hackensack Uber Accident Lawyers?

Choosing Reinartz Law Firm means partnering with a team that brings experience and dedication to your case.

Richard Reinartz's background as a trial lawyer for prestigious law firms across the United States equips him with a distinctive perspective on plaintiff and defense strategies in complex litigation. His numerous accolades, including AV Preeminent® rating and Million Dollar Advocates Forum membership, underscore his commitment to excellence.

Thomas McKinney brings his notable accomplishments and a passion for advocating for those wronged by others. He has been selected to the Top 40 Under 40 Trial attorneys in New Jersey and has obtained $15 million in trial victories, judgments, and settlements. Together, our attorneys offer a formidable representation for anyone injured in an Uber accident in Hackensack.

Hackensack Uber Accident Compensation

Depending on the circumstances of your Uber accident, you may be eligible to receive different types of compensation for your injuries and damages. These include:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the actual and measurable losses you incurred due to the Uber accident. They are also known as special damages or out-of-pocket expenses.

They include:

• Medical expenses: These are the costs of any medical treatment you received or will need for your injuries. They can include hospital bills, doctor visits, surgery, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other related expenses.
• Lost income: These are the income you lost or will lose due to your inability to work or reduced earning capacity because of your injuries. They can include salary, bonuses, tips, commissions, benefits, and other compensation forms.
• Property damage: These are the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle or any other personal property damaged in the accident. They can include the market value of your property, rental car fees, towing fees, and other related expenses.
• Other costs are any other expenses you had to pay because of the accident. They can include transportation costs, childcare costs, household services, funeral expenses, and any other relevant costs.

Economic damages are usually easier to calculate and prove than non-economic damages. However, you must keep all the receipts, bills, and other documents supporting your claim. You also need to consider the future costs that you may incur due to your injuries, such as ongoing medical care or reduced earning potential.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the subjective and non-measurable losses you suffered due to the Uber accident. They are also known as general damages or pain and suffering.

They include:

• Pain and suffering are the physical and emotional pain you experience or will experience due to your injuries. They can include the severity, duration, and impact of your pain on your daily life.
• Emotional distress: These are the psychological effects that you suffered or will suffer due to the accident. They can include anxiety, depression, fear, anger, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and any other mental or emotional conditions.
• Disfigurement: These are the permanent changes to your appearance that resulted from the accident. They can include scars, burns, amputations, or other visible impairments.
• Disability: These are the permanent or temporary limitations to your physical or mental abilities that resulted from the accident. They can include paralysis, loss of senses, cognitive impairment, or other functional impairments.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: These are the negative effects of the accident on your ability to enjoy your normal activities and hobbies. They can include the loss of interest, pleasure, or satisfaction in the things that you used to enjoy before the accident.

Non-economic damages are harder to calculate and prove than economic damages. They depend on the individual circumstances of each case and the jury's perception of the plaintiff's suffering.

There is no fixed formula or standard to determine the value of non-economic damages. However, some factors that may affect the amount of non-economic damages are the type, extent, and permanence of the injuries, the age and health of the plaintiff, the impact of the injuries on the plaintiff's lifestyle and relationships, and the defendant's degree of fault.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are additional damages awarded in some cases where the defendant acted with extreme negligence, recklessness, or malice.

They are also known as exemplary damages and serve the following purposes:

• Punishment: Punishing the defendant for their wrongful conduct and deter them and others from engaging in similar conduct. They rely on the severity, frequency, and intentionality of the defendant's actions, along with their financial status and ability to pay. 
• Deterrence: Discouraging the defendant and others from engaging in similar conduct. They hinge on the public interest, the social impact, the potential harm resulting from the defendant's actions, and the likelihood and effectiveness of other remedies.

Punitive damages are rare and only awarded in cases where the plaintiff can prove that the defendant acted with willful and wanton disregard for the rights and safety of others. For example, if an Uber driver was intoxicated, distracted, speeding, or violating traffic laws while driving, they may be liable for punitive damages.

However, punitive damages are subject to certain limitations and caps under New Jersey law. For example, punitive damages cannot exceed five times the amount of compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater.

The amount and type of compensation you can receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your damages, the degree of fault of the parties involved, and the insurance coverage available.

To get the full and fair compensation you deserve, consult an experienced Uber accident lawyer who can evaluate your case and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf.

Where Can Uber Accidents Happen in Hackensack?

New Jersey had 689 fatalities in car accidents in a prior year, which was the highest number in the last decade. The counties with the most injuries from car accidents were Essex (6,779), Bergen (6,292), and Passaic (4,299). Hackensack, situated in Bergen County, recorded the second-highest number of accident fatalities, totaling 42.

Some local areas in Hackensack where Uber accidents can happen are:

• Busy intersections, such as Summit Avenue and Essex Street
• Highways, such as Route 80
• Areas with poor road conditions, such as River Street

Our Focus on Hackensack Uber Accidents

Uber accidents can occur under several circumstances, leading to various injuries. Our practice areas include, but are not limited to:

Collisions with Other Vehicles

These are the accidents when an Uber vehicle crashes into another car, truck, bus, motorcycle, or bicycle. They can include head-on, rear-end, and side-impact crashes, which can cause damage and injury to the vehicles and occupants involved.

Some causes of these collisions are driver negligence, distraction, impairment, fatigue, speeding, or violating traffic laws. Some of the injuries that can result from these collisions are cuts, bruises, sprains, strains, whiplash, concussions, broken bones, internal bleeding, organ damage, and spinal cord injuries.

Pedestrian Accidents

These accidents occur when an Uber vehicle hits a pedestrian, walking, jogging, running, or crossing the street. Driver inattention, failure to yield, poor visibility, or adverse weather conditions can cause them.

Pedestrians are more vulnerable to injuries than vehicle occupants, as they have no protection from the vehicle's impact. Some of the injuries that can result from these accidents are abrasions, lacerations, contusions, fractures, head injuries, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

Injuries from Uber Accidents

These are the physical and mental harms that the victims of Uber accidents suffer due to the negligence or fault of the Uber driver or another party. They can range from minor to severe, depending on the type, extent, and location of the injury, as well as the age and health of the victim.

Some of the common injuries that can occur in Uber accidents are whiplash, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

Whiplash is a neck injury when the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward due to a sudden change in speed or direction. It can cause pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches, dizziness, and cognitive problems.

Fractures occur when a strong force is applied to the bone, resulting in broken bones. They can cause pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, loss of function, and infection.

Traumatic brain injuries are injuries to the brain that occur when the head is hit by an object or shaken violently. They can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, confusion, memory loss, mood changes, seizures, coma, and death.

Spinal cord injuries are injuries to the spinal cord that occur when a blow, a cut, or a tear damages the spine. They can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, paralysis, loss of sensation, loss of bladder and bowel control, and respiratory problems.

Fighting the Insurance Company After an Uber Accident

If you are involved in an Uber accident in New Jersey, you must know your legal rights and options. New Jersey has enacted specific laws that regulate the insurance coverage of Uber and other rideshare companies.

These laws require that:

• When the Uber app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request, the driver must have liability coverage of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. The driver must also have coverage for personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM).
• When the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or during trips, Uber must provide liability coverage of $1.5 million for death, bodily injury, or property damage. Uber must also provide PIP coverage and UIM coverage.

These insurance policies protect and compensate you for your injuries and damages. However, insurance companies may deny, delay, or reduce your claim or shift the blame to another party. You need an experienced Uber accident lawyer to fight for your rights and interests.

Our lawyers at Reinartz Law Firm have the knowledge and skills to handle these complex cases. We can clarify how the insurance policies apply to your case, gather the evidence to prove your claim, negotiate with the insurance adjusters, and take your case to court if necessary. We are committed to getting you the maximum compensation you deserve under New Jersey law and Uber's insurance policies.

What to Do After an Uber Accident

After an Uber accident:

• Seek Medical Attention: The first and most important thing to do after an Uber accident is to prioritize your health. Even if you think your injuries are minor or you feel fine, you should still seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as whiplash, concussions, or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away, but they can have serious consequences later. By getting medical attention, you can prevent further complications, document your injuries, and establish a link between the accident and your injuries.
• Document Everything: The second thing to do after an Uber accident is to document everything related to the accident. This includes taking photos of your injuries and any other relevant evidence. You should also describe what happened, how the accident occurred, who was involved, and what you saw, heard, or felt. Additionally, you should collect the contact information of the Uber driver, the other drivers, the passengers, and any witnesses who saw the accident. These documents and information can serve as evidence to substantiate your claim and bolster your case in the future.
• Report the Accident: The third thing to do after an Uber accident is to report the accident to the appropriate parties. This includes notifying Uber through the app, which will prompt you to provide some details about the accident and your injuries. You should also report the accident to the police if there are injuries, deaths, or significant property damage. The police will create an official record of the accident, which can be useful for your claim. You should also report the accident to your own insurance company, as they may cover some of your damages or expenses.
• Track Medical Treatments: The fourth thing to do after an Uber accident is track all the medical treatments you receive or need for your injuries. This includes keeping all the medical records, receipts, prescriptions and reports showing your injuries' diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. You should also journal your symptoms, pain levels, recovery progress, and any limitations or difficulties you face due to your injuries. These records and notes can aid you in illustrating the extent and impact of your injuries and the costs and expenses you incurred or will incur due to the accident.
• Avoid Discussing Fault: The fifth thing to do after an Uber accident is to avoid discussing the fault or details of the accident with anyone other than your lawyer. This includes Uber, other drivers, insurance adjusters, and social media users. Anything you say or post can be used against you by the other parties or the insurance companies to deny, delay, or reduce your claim. You should also avoid signing documents or accepting any offers without consulting your lawyer first. You should only provide the basic facts of the accident, such as the date, time, location, and the parties involved, and refer any questions or requests to your lawyer.
• Contact a Lawyer: The sixth and final thing to do after an Uber accident is to contact a lawyer experienced in handling Uber accidents. A lawyer can provide insight into your rights and options, evaluate your case, gather the evidence, negotiate with the insurance companies, and represent you in court. If necessary, a lawyer can also assist in maximizing your compensation and recovering the damages that you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Bringing all relevant information to Reinartz Law Firm allows us to build a strong case on your behalf, focusing on recovering the compensation you deserve while you concentrate on healing.

Contact a Hackensack Uber Accident Lawyer

At Reinartz Law Firm, we fight to ensure that you receive the compensation and support you need to move forward after an Uber accident. Contact us today at (201) 289-8614 for your free, no-obligation consultation, and allow us to support you on your journey to recovery.