What Damages Are Available in Uber or Lyft Accidents in New Jersey?
Thanks to rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, many drivers can earn additional money on their own time. But with more drivers on the road, there’s bound to be an increase in accidents.
Just like any other accident, there are damages that you can obtain from your Uber or Lyft accident. Find out what damages are entitled to you when you’ve been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in New Jersey.
Rideshare Insurance Policies
State law requires Uber and Lyft drivers to carry some form of insurance. The type of insurance that will cover your damages depends on two factors: the time of the accident and the driver’s activity.
If the driver’s accident happened while the driver was not logged into the app, they might have to use their car insurance. If the accident happened when the driver was logged into the app, and in the process of picking someone up, the company’s insurance policy might cover your damages.
Damages From Uber and Lyft Accidents
When you’ve been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, you are entitled to the following damages:
Medical Expenses
You can get seriously hurt as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident. Your injuries can range from broken bones to chronic back pain. Because the injuries are not always immediate, you may experience some pain days after your accident.
These rideshare companies may cover the costs of your medical expenses. The rideshare company’s insurance policies may cover all medical expenses, from surgeries to medication prescriptions.
Lost Wages
Another damage you can obtain is lost wages. You may have to take some time off from work as you recover from your injuries. This time off can affect your finances. Taking a few days off can stress you out and strain your income. The amount of time you had to take off because of your injuries can be compensated.
Pain and Suffering
Another damage you can list in your Uber or Lyft claim is pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is damage that covers the cost of the mental pain and physical turmoil that your accident has caused you.
This damage is different from medical expenses or lost wages. Those are damages that can be measured through a particular dollar amount. While pain and suffering is considered a non-economic loss, there are different methods that lawyers and insurance adjusters use to calculate this damage.
How Pain and Suffering is Calculated
Lawyers often use the per diem method to calculate pain and suffering damages. This method calculates the financial compensation that a victim deserves by the day. Lawyers will count the number of days from the time of the accident until the victim’s recovery. The victim’s salary will then be divided according to the days the lawyer works per year. The divided figure will then be multiplied by how many days the victim was injured. On the other hand, insurance companies use a traditional computer program to calculate pain and suffering.
Contact Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC Today
To discuss your legal options after your Uber or Lyft accident, speak with the New Jersey Rideshare Attorneys at Brady Reilly & Cardoso today. Call our office, or submit our contact form to schedule a consultation.