If you received injuries in a New Jersey rideshare, Uber, or Lyft accident, recovering compensation from the legally responsible party (or parties) is much more complex than in a conventional car accident. Under applicable state laws, multiple insurance companies are involved, and coverage depends on the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the accident.

At Injury Lawyers of NJ, rideshare, Uber, and Lyft accident lawyers Sheri Breen and Natalie Zammitti Shaw offer capable, experienced, and trustworthy legal representation to help you recover the full amount you deserve. They are bold, creative masters of litigation dedicated to obtaining the best possible recovery for clients throughout the State of NJ and the New York metro area. They apply more than 50 years of combined experience in helping injured rideshare accident victims and offer every client extraordinary personal attention throughout the entire process.

Liability and Insurance Coverage in Rideshare Accidents

When a rideshare accident occurs, New Jersey law enables an injured victim to recover compensation from the person(s) whose negligence caused the accident. The rules for legal liability are the same as in a car accident that does not involve a rideshare vehicle. However, in a rideshare accident, the responsible parties may include the rideshare driver, a third-party driver, or even multiple third-party drivers.

In a typical car accident, compensation for a victim’s injuries is paid by insurance companies for the legally responsible parties. In a rideshare accident, insurance coverage issues are much more complex. Under New Jersey law, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, and drivers for those companies are required to carry insurance coverage in specific amounts. Due to those requirements, potential insurance coverage resources in a rideshare accident caused by the rideshare driver include multiple insurance policies and companies:

  • The rideshare company’s liability insurance policy
  • The insurance policy of a third-party at-fault driver

Determining which insurance company is responsible requires investigating the accident to determine whose negligence caused the crash. In addition, the status of the rideshare driver also must be ascertained, because the law establishes specific rules for insurance coverage based on the driver’s status, as follows:

  • Driver is looking for passengers and the rideshare app is on: If the rideshare driver does not have a passenger in the car, but has their app operating so that they are looking for a passenger, the law requires $50,000 in bodily injury or death coverage per person and $100,000 in bodily injury or death coverage per accident. The rideshare company’s insurance policy covers damages when the driver is at fault for the accident.
  • Rideshare vehicle carrying a passenger: When a rideshare driver is carrying a passenger, Uber or Lyft covers up to $1.5 million in bodily injury, property damage, or death, as well as $10,000 in medical coverage for the rideshare driver.
  • Driver is not actively seeking riders and the rideshare app is turned off: The driver’s own personal auto liability insurance policy covers the damages if the driver is at fault for the accident.

When you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, your car insurance medical benefits do not apply. The most you can recover is the med pay limit you purchased on your policy in an amount of either $1,000 or $10,000. Oftentimes, an injured person needs to turn to their health insurance for medical coverage.

The complicated nature of insurance coverage issues in a rideshare accident makes it essential for an injured victim or driver to get help from a knowledgeable rideshare accident lawyer. The Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Injury Lawyers of NJ have the experience and skills to address the complex issues of liability and insurance coverage in rideshare accident cases.

NJ Rideshare Accident Lawyer Pursuing Maximum Compensation

Our rideshare accident lawyer team is committed to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients. Determining damages (financial recovery) in a rideshare accident case involves calculating damages based on a wide-range losses, including both financial and non-financial intangible losses, such as:

  • Permanent disability and/or disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of consortium (loss of marital companionship and services)
  • Past, current, and future medical and treatment bills and expenses
  • Current and future lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Cost of long-term rehabilitation treatment

Other accident-related expenses and losses may also be recoverable as part of damages under New Jersey law.

Injury Lawyers of NJ — Bridging the Gap From Victim to Victor

To build the best case for liability and compensation, our rideshare accident lawyers conduct an exhaustive investigation into all the circumstances relating to the accident and the nature and impact of the victim’s injuries, including their present and future medical condition.

We will:

  1. Fully investigate your accident, gather surveillance video and photos, interview witnesses, and more.
  2. Consult with experts that are knowledgeable regarding accident reconstruction and medical injuries, and others if needed, to prove your case.
  3. Submit a claim with the responsible insurance companies, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit.
  4. Negotiate a full and fair settlement.
  5. Take your case to court if the insurers fail to negotiate a settlement in good faith.

The remarkable proven success of the negotiation and litigation skills of our lawyers is one of the most notable distinctions that sets us apart from other law firms. Our reputation for taking cases to trial is a significant benefit to clients — even during the negotiation stage of a claim. Insurance company representatives and adverse parties know that our attorneys will go to court for victory if they do not obtain justice for the client in the settlement negotiation process.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a NJ Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident, our rideshare accident lawyers offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. We help clients throughout the State of New Jersey and are also licensed in the State of New York. For families who lost a loved one in a rideshare accident, our lawyers help with wrongful death claims.

If you retain us to represent you, we take the case on a contingent fee basis. You do not pay us any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. We welcome you to use the online contact form to schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss your case.