Do I Have Any Rights to Compensation After a Rideshare Accident?

If you or a loved one are injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it is critical to know what your rights are. With hundreds of thousands of people signed up to drive their vehicles for rideshare services like Lyft and Uber, accidents involving these vehicles are an everyday occurrence across New Jersey. Unfortunately, if you’ve been involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft, determining liability or getting compensation for your injuries and damages is not always a straightforward matter.

Read more: Can I Still File A Lawsuit Even If I Live In A No-Fault State?

Obtaining Compensation after a Lyft or Uber Accident in New Jersey

Under New Jersey law, rideshare drivers are required to maintain certain levels of insurance coverage; the amount of coverage that applies to an accident depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. These insurances minimums include:

• If the driver is not logged into the rideshare application: The minimum financial responsibility requirements applicable to all New Jersey motorists apply ($15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, $5,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage)
• If the driver is logged into the rideshare application but has not yet matched with a passenger: At least $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, $25,000 of property damage liability coverage
• If the driver has matched with a passenger or has a passenger in the vehicle: At least $1.5 million in bodily injury, death, and property damage liability coverage, at least $1.5 million of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage for the driver.

In many cases, rideshare drivers’ personal auto insurance will not provide coverage for accidents that occur while the driver is logged into the rideshare application; instead, coverage required by New Jersey law is furnished by the rideshare company to the driver. As a result, if you are injured or suffer property damage in an accident caused by a Lyft or Uber driver, you may be entitled to turn to the rideshare company for the insurance coverage required under New Jersey law.

Read more: How Long Do I Have To Report An Accident To The Insurance Company?

What Happens If the Other Driver Was at Fault?

Of course, not every accident involving an Uber or Lyft is caused by the rideshare driver; sometimes, another motorist is at fault. When that happens, that driver will be primarily responsible for compensating all those who have suffered injuries and property damage in the accident. However, the at-fault driver may not have sufficient insurance coverage to fully compensate everyone who suffered injury or damage in the accident. In that case, the rideshare driver or passengers in the rideshare vehicle may be entitled to make a claim for compensation with the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage required to be provided when an Uber or Lyft is involved in an accident after a driver matches with a passenger or has a passenger in the vehicle. Unfortunately, in cases where another motorist was responsible for an accident, injured rideshare passengers may find trouble obtaining compensation from the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage technically offered by the rideshare company. Having an experienced personal injury attorney can help you protect and assert your rights to compensation under the law.

Read more: What Should I Do If I’m Involved In An Accident With A Driver Who Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Contact a Scotch Plains Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Uber or Lyft Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an Uber/Lyft accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC represent clients injured because of Uber/Lyft accidents in Union, Plainfield, East Orange, Irvington, and throughout New Jersey. Call (908) 325-5571 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1827 East Second St., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, as well as offices in Westfield, Newark, East Brunswick, Clifton, Cherry Hill, and Elizabeth.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.