New Jersey Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers

Although rideshare drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft provide a valuable service to those who are in need of transportation, they also introduce their own share of risks on the road. When you have been injured in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you are facing your own unique set of challenges. These hurdles are best overcome with the help of an experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

In addition to common reasons for car accidents, such as speeding and illegal turns, there are additional causes of Uber and Lyft crashes that include the following:

• Distracted driving because the Uber or Lyft motorist is looking at the app for their next fare or directions to where they are going.
• Being unfamiliar with the surroundings because rideshare drivers are often in new areas.
• Fatigued driving because the motorist is trying to maximize their individual earnings by either driving late at night when fares are higher or after a full day’s work at another job.
• Lack of maintenance of their own personal vehicle that they are using for commercial purposes.
• Inexperience because companies like Uber and Lyft put drivers on the road after minimal background checks and virtually no training.

Common Claimants in Uber and Lyft Accidents

There are numerous people who may be affected by an accident involving a rideshare driver. Potential claimants may include:

• A passenger who was in the rideshare vehicle at the time of the accident
• Another driver who was involved in the crash with the Uber or Lyft driver
• The driver of the Uber or Lyft vehicle who was injured by the actions of another motorist
• Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists who were struck by the rideshare driver

There may be numerous claimants who are all after the same potential pot of insurance coverage. You may need to jockey with others who are seeking the same money that you are, making it even more important that you have a rideshare accident attorney on your side.

Why Rideshare Accidents Are Different From Regular Car Accidents

Car accident claims are difficult enough, but rideshare accidents result in even more issues. First, it is a challenge to figure out which driver was to blame for the accident. Once you do, there are multiple insurance companies that are involved in your case. Each of them is trying to minimize the amount that they pay you in compensation.

Then, you will need to file an insurance claim because you cannot sue Uber and Lyft themselves. They classify their drivers as independent contractors, so they are not employees of the company itself. You can only sue Uber and Lyft under very limited circumstances. Regardless of how you seek compensation for your injuries, you are in for a difficult fight from all insurance companies involved in your case.

Which Insurance Companies Are Involved in Your Case?

There may be as many as four insurance companies that play a role in your rideshare accident claim. You may need to be involved with all of them as you seek compensation for your injuries.

• The rideshare driver may have their own insurance policy to cover damages that they have caused if they have purchased separate coverage. Their primary auto insurance policy does not cover any commercial-type claims.
• Uber and Lyft provide a commercial policy that covers their drivers in the amounts described below.
• If another driver involved in the accident was partially or completely to blame, their insurance company would also need to pay towards the damages.
• If there is still not enough coverage to pay for all of the harm that you have suffered, you may even file a claim against your own auto insurance policy.

How Much Insurance Coverage Do Uber and Lyft Provide in New Jersey?

The amount of insurance coverage that rideshare companies must provide to their drivers is governed by New Jersey law. The state mandates higher levels of coverage than other jurisdictions. The levels of insurance coverage are as follows:

• If the driver did not have the app on, their own personal car insurance policy would pay the claim because the accident was not associated with commercial purposes.
• If the driver had the app engaged, but they did not have a passenger in the car or did not accept a ride request, there is $50,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 bodily injury coverage available per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability.
• There is the highest level of coverage when the driver has either accepted a ride request or has a passenger in the car. Then, there is $1,500,000 liability for bodily injury and property damage, $1,500,000 in uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and $10,000 medical payments coverage per person per accident.

New Jersey law requires rideshare drivers and companies like Uber and Lyft to carry specific insurance coverage depending on whether the driver is logged into the app, en route to a passenger, or actively transporting one. These requirements are set out in New Jersey Revised Statutes § 39:5H-10, which governs insurance obligations for transportation network companies operating in the state.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Uber or Lyft Accident

Uber and Lyft work with multiple insurance companies that they often refer to as their partners. Providing insurance coverage for rideshare companies is a lucrative business. In a recent financial statement, Uber reported that it spent $137 million more on a quarterly basis as a result of increased insurance costs. These insurance companies want to retain as much of the premiums as they are paid as possible because it helps their bottom line.

As such, insurance companies may resort to a number of tactics to try to reduce the amount of money that they pay you. Besides trying to pass the buck to another insurance company, they may make you a very low settlement offer in an attempt to resolve your claim for as little as possible. Any dollar that you get from the insurance company is a fight, and it can mean a strenuous battle to get full compensation for your injuries. You only have a chance of doing this with the help of an experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer.

How an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help You

When you hire a rideshare accident attorney for your case, they can do the following to assist you:

• Investigate the crash and determine which driver was responsible.
• Verify and ascertain which insurance coverages apply to your accident.
• File claims against all applicable insurance policies.
• Negotiate your compensation in a settlement agreement with each individual insurance company that has liability for your accident.
• File a lawsuit in court on your behalf if it is necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uber and Lyft Accident Claims

Here are some questions that we are commonly asked by new clients about their rideshare accident cases.

How long do I have to file an Uber or Lyft accident claim in New Jersey?

The statute of limitations in New Jersey personal injury claims is two years from the time that you were hurt.

How long will it take to get my settlement?

It is difficult to give an exact time estimate. The only thing that a lawyer can confidently tell you is that you need to hold out as long as possible to get all the money that you deserve.

How is my Uber or Lyft accident lawyer paid?

Your lawyer works for you on a contingency basis, meaning that they are paid only if you win.

New Jersey Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, Are Ready to Help With a Rideshare Accident

If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, get legal help from the New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC. The first step in the process is to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys, which you can do by using our online form or by calling us today at 732-705-3363. We have offices in Hazlet and Highland Park, NJ, and we serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.