Are you a victim of a Cambridge Uber accident? Read on for more information on Uber accidents and how a Cambridge Uber attorney may be able to help.
If you drive on Cambridge’s major roads often, you’ll realize how increasingly popular Uber has become in the city. As a result, Uber has improved transportation in Cambridge, especially around Memorial Drive, Massachusetts Avenue, and crowded areas like Harvard Square and Central Square.
Unfortunately, this also puts commuters at a higher risk of car collisions resulting in personal injury claims and lawsuits. If you’re in such a situation, a Cambridge Uber injury lawyer might be able to help you recover compensation.
To win your Uber crash claim, you must prove the defendant’s negligence through a breach of duty of care. You’ll also have to show that the defendant’s carelessness caused your injuries. This process is more complex than it sounds, and Uber collisions differ from other motor vehicle accidents in numerous ways.
In this article, you’ll learn everything about the aftermath of the Uber accidents in Cambridge. This information will help you make the best decisions in your personal injury claim.
What Factors Are Responsible for Uber Crashes in Cambridge?
As with truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and all other road crashes, many Uber collisions are due to driver error. This disregard for traffic safety has caused the deaths of millions of people worldwide. Common causes of Uber accidents include:
Speeding
Speeding is one dangerous driving behavior that many motorists, including rideshare drivers, engage in. Some Uber drivers may decide to speed in an attempt to get more rides to make more money. Unfortunately, this reckless activity is one of the most common causes of Uber crashes.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), speeding was responsible for 11,258 traffic fatalities in 2020. This amounts to more than 30 deaths per day.
Distracted Driving
While every motorist in Cambridge can be guilty of distracted driving, rideshare drivers can almost not help it. First, they rely on an app that pairs them with passengers. Many Uber drivers use the app to connect with their riders on the go. Also, Uber drivers use GPS to direct them to new locations.
While beneficial, these applications can cause huge distractions for Uber drivers. Taking their eyes off the road to focus on these tools constitutes a considerable safety risk for other road users.
Tailgating
Many drivers, including rideshare drivers, do not obey the rule against following too closely (tailgating). The rule requires drivers to leave enough distance between their vehicles and the one ahead.
The reason for this all-important regulation is to prevent accidents when the car in front makes a sudden stop. Sadly, many rideshare drivers fail to adhere to this best practice because they’re rushing to get to their destinations.
Drunk Driving
It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Sadly, though, a significant number of drivers break this law. Drunk driving can tire motorists, increasing their risk of veering into oncoming traffic.
Alcohol can affect the brain’s functionality and reduces a driver’s ability to understand or respond appropriately to traffic signals. As you can guess, that’s a recipe for traffic collisions and catastrophic injuries.
Bad Road Conditions
Adverse road conditions like potholes and slippery roads can contribute to Uber accidents. In addition, environmental factors like poor lighting and cloudy weather can reduce road visibility and increase the chances of an accident. However, regardless of the road conditions, drivers are still liable for the accidents caused by not adjusting to prevailing circumstances.
Unfavorable Driving Times
Uber is one of the most convenient transportation modes for Cambridge residents early in the morning and at night. Unfortunately, these are the high-risk hours for drivers, especially between 8 pm and 11:59 pm during spring and summer.
Common Accident Injuries in a Cambridge Uber Accident
You may leave an Uber crash scene with minor injuries if you are lucky. But unfortunately, severe and debilitating injuries are also prevalent in these accidents.
Generally, your risk of catastrophic injuries increases with the collision force and type of crash. For example, head-on accidents are typically more deadly than side-impact collisions.
These are the common accident injuries victims may suffer in such crashes:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head injuries
- Paralysis due to spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Cuts and lacerations
What To Do in a Cambridge Uber/Lyft Accident
Uber advises injured parties in a rideshare accident to always check to ensure that all parties in the crash are safe. However, while that may be an excellent first post-accident activity, that’s not all you have to do.
The fact is that anything you do immediately after any car collision can significantly impact your chances of compensation. So, ensure that you don’t miss out on any of these essential steps:
Call for Medical Help
After checking that everyone is out of harm’s way, the first thing to do is call for emergency medical assistance. Yes, this goes without saying in accidents where everyone sustained visible injuries. However, it may be tempting to skip this step when the crash victims look okay. That can turn out to be a bad move.
Occasionally, accident victims with internal injuries don’t notice any symptoms immediately after a crash until it’s too late. Your body may be flushed with adrenaline in traumatic situations like this, which can dull the sensation of pain.
This means that even if you sustained injuries, you might still feel fine until much later. Your best bet is to undergo a swift medical evaluation to rule out severe injuries or limit your risk of injury complications.
Dial the Cambridge Police Department
It’s essential to put a call through to law enforcement after a Cambridge auto accident. When police officers arrive at the crash scene, they’ll make an official report that will serve as evidence to support your injury claim.
Exchange Contact Information
Never forget to exchange contact information with other drivers and accident victims in a motor vehicle collision. Vital details include names, insurance information, phone numbers, driver’s license information, and addresses. This ensures that you can always contact the at-fault driver.
Take Photos
Personal injury claims thrive on concrete evidence. Fortunately, you can quickly get proof by taking photos of the crash scene. If possible, take videos and record interviews with eyewitnesses too.
Report the Accident to the Relevant Insurance Company
You may want to report the Uber crash to your insurance company as soon after the accident as possible. It’s also necessary to notify Uber and the at-fault driver’s insurance company about the accident. This is because insurance companies have stipulated timeframes for reporting traffic accidents, and you may need to explore all available options.
Speak With an Uber Attorney in Cambridge
For claimants who refuse to let a competent personal injury lawyer represent their interests, things may not work out in their favor. That’s especially true when someone has zero knowledge of the laws and best practices surrounding personal injury claims.
Without an Uber attorney, it’s easy for insurance companies to prey on your ignorance and cheat you of your deserved settlement. Your Uber injury lawyer will ensure that you don’t make mistakes that can jeopardize your success chances.
Can I Sue an Uber Driver?
Uber drivers in Cambridge are independent contractors, so it may be difficult to hold Uber responsible for their carelessness. Fortunately, Cambridge Uber drivers typically carry private auto insurance for themselves and additional insurance for third-party injured victims.
Generally, Cambridge Uber drivers carry:
- Minimum insurance of $50,000 and $100,000 per person and per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. They also carry at least $30,000 in property damage liability insurance. This coverage applies in accidents where the driver was logged-not but hadn’t paired with a passenger.
- An auto liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 for cases where the driver is in a prearranged ride.
Note that Uber provides no insurance for rideshare drivers that were unavailable on the app. In such cases, you’ll have to file a personal injury claim under their private auto insurance coverage, if applicable.
What Kind of Damages Could I Receive in a Personal Injury Claim?
Like in every other accident claim or lawsuit in Boston, you can get the following damages for your injuries depending on your case’s specifics:
Costs of Medical Care
You’re entitled to refunds for the cost of your medical treatment after a successful Uber crash claim or lawsuit. This will include physical therapy, hospitalization, medication expenses, etc.
Property Damage
If you damaged any property in the accident, your Cambridge uber attorney could ensure that the at-fault driver pays for their repairs or replacement.
Past and Future Lost Earnings
Debilitating accident injuries like fractures may make it impossible to earn a living for a period of time. Fortunately, besides compensating you for your lost income, you can also receive damages for future lost wages.
Mental Anguish and Other Non-Economic Damages
The trauma from auto collisions can transcend physical injuries to cause you emotional distress or mental anguish. Although it’s difficult to put a financial value on psychological injuries, courts make provisions for them at the judge’s discretion. Examples of other non-economic damages you may receive include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, disfigurement, etc.
How Can a Cambridge Uber Attorney Help?
As an injured person in a Uber crash, you mustn’t underplay the importance of legal representation. When you hire a qualified Cambridge Uber attorney, you’ll benefit from vital services like:
- Case evaluation
- Case investigation and evidence gathering
- Legal advice
- Settlement negotiation
- Case filing and litigation, etc.
Contact a Cambridge Uber Attorney To Get Justice for Your Injury Claim Today!
Are you an Uber accident victim seeking compensation for your injuries? The good news is that Massachusetts personal injury laws allow damages for injured parties in such situations. But unfortunately, you’re likely to experience frustration due to the complicated personal injury claims processes. Worse still, you may not get the compensation you deserve after enduring the rigorous procedures.
However, you wouldn’t have to deal with the above problems when you have Michael Kelly Injury lawyers on your case. Our law firm’s primary focus is ensuring you have a hassle-free claims process with maximum compensation.
We will also provide you with top-notch practical advice and moral support every step of the way. Take advantage of our free initial consultation policy to speak with an experienced Cambridge Uber Attorney.
