New Jersey Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers

UberCab (now Uber) was launched in 2010, followed by Lyft in 2012. Since then, the rideshare industry has skyrocketed, with countless users relying on these services. Millions of these trips happen every year in busy areas such as Newark and Jersey City, piloted by drivers with different skill levels.

Collisions involving rideshare vehicles bring up many questions regarding liability and insurance coverage, and our New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. provides the legal support necessary to address these issues and build successful claims. Compared to a typical passenger vehicle collision, Uber and Lyft accidents tend to be more complicated, for a variety of reasons.

Key Takeaways

• Insurance coverage levels for rideshare drivers change based on the specific status of the app during the crash. 
• New Jersey laws mandate that companies such as Uber and Lyft maintain high policy limits to protect the public. 
• Proving fault in these cases requires a review of digital data logs and traditional police evidence. 
• Starting a claim quickly helps preserve important evidence and meets the state time limits for legal action.

How Can I Protect My Right to Compensation After a Rideshare Collision?

Our New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers recommend calling 911 right away following a crash, even if there are no obvious injuries; paramedics can identify medical issues that are not immediately detectable, and you will want to have a police report.  If you do not require immediate medical assistance, have a prompt medical evaluation. Report what happened to your insurer, but refrain from elaborating on details or admitting fault. You can call our New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers before reaching out to your provider.

Who Pays for Medical Treatment After the Crash?

New Jersey law typically requires an individual’s own auto insurance to pay for initial medical care through personal injury protection (PIP). If a person does not have a car, the insurance from the rideshare company may provide the needed coverage for bills. The specific facts of the accident and the insurance status of those involved determine which policy pays first. 

How Do Insurance Limits Change Based on App Status?

The amount of available insurance money depends on whether the driver was logged into the app or carrying a passenger. When a driver is offline, only their personal insurance applies, which often has much lower limits. Once the driver accepts a ride, a much larger policy can become active because the company could be responsible for the safety of the trip.

Can Pedestrians Seek Payment for Their Injuries?

A pedestrian struck by a rideshare vehicle has the legal right to seek payment for medical costs and other losses. Since pedestrians lack the protection of a car frame, these injuries are often quite severe and require long-term medical care. However, if the pedestrian was on their phone, crossed a street illegally, or was otherwise partly responsible for what happened, their compensation may be reduced.

Why Is Driver Classification Important for Claims?

Rideshare companies label their drivers as contractors to limit the legal responsibility of the corporation for any mistakes made on the road. This status creates hurdles when trying to hold the parent company accountable for the rideshare driver’s actions. Our New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers look closely at state laws that still require companies to provide protection regardless of the contractor label.

Which New Brunswick Roads Have the Most Rideshare Crashes?

Route 18 is a high traffic zone where rideshare drivers often make quick stops to pick up students. These sudden movements frequently lead to rear-end crashes as other motorists cannot stop in time to avoid the vehicle. Jersey Avenue and Van Dyke Avenue also see many collisions because they link local neighborhoods to major highways. Additionally, Route 27 experiences frequent accidents as drivers move through its congested downtown streets.

Are There Many Rideshare Crashes at the New Brunswick Train Station?

The area surrounding the New Brunswick train station is a high-traffic hub where commuters constantly meet rideshare drivers. Congestion often leads to sudden stops or illegal U-turns as drivers search for passengers among the crowds. Proving negligence in this busy spot involves showing that a driver ignored traffic signals or failed to watch for pedestrians while distracted by the mobile app.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Lawsuit?

The law in New Jersey gives a person two years from the date of the accident to start a formal personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline means a person cannot collect money for their injuries or lost wages from the crash, except in rare instances. We suggest contacting our New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers as soon as possible to help you meet those deadlines. 

Why Is a Legal Team Necessary for These Cases?

Large rideshare companies use their wealth to fight claims and keep their payout amounts as low as possible; they have teams that look for ways to blame the other driver or minimize the extent of the injuries reported. Working with our  New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers levels that playing field and lets clients focus on the healing process as we manage the legalities of the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will my insurance rates increase if the driver was at fault?

Rates typically stay the same for passengers because they did not have control over the vehicle.

• What if the driver had the app off?

If the app was off, the claim goes through the driver’s personal insurance policy instead of the rideshare company.

• Does a consultation cost money?

At Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P., your initial legal consultation to talk about the crash is free, and our firm gets paid only if the case wins.

New Jersey Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. Can Explain Your Legal Options and Devise a Clear Strategy

If you were injured by a rideshare vehicle, contact our New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. Our experienced and trusted legal team will carefully review your case, identify the parties responsible, and fight to secure full and fair compensation. Call us today at 732-247-3600 or fill out the online form for a free consultation. Our offices are in New Brunswick, Somerville, and Manalapan, New Jersey, and we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.