At Sweet James, we represent people injured in Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare crashes, serving communities throughout New Jersey. Our New Jersey rideshare accident lawyers bring over 25 years of experience helping injury victims pursue compensation after serious accidents.
If you were injured in a rideshare crash, contact our rideshare accident lawyers for a free consultation.
Why are New Jersey Rideshare Accident Claims Different?
Uber and Lyft drivers generally use personal vehicles, but their insurance situation changes when they use those vehicles for rideshare work. New Jersey law requires insurance that covers transportation network company activity while a driver is logged into the digital network and during a prearranged ride.
A driver’s personal auto insurer may also exclude losses that occur while the vehicle is being used for rideshare activity. As a result, determining which policy applies is often one of the first issues we investigate.
Our rideshare accident attorneys serving New Jersey review the driver’s activity at the time of the collision and the available insurance information before pursuing payment on your behalf.
Does the Driver’s Uber or Lyft App Status Affect Insurance Coverage?
The driver’s status on the rideshare platform can affect which coverage is available.
Driver Waiting for a Ride Request
When a driver is logged into the rideshare network and available for requests, New Jersey requires specific insurance coverage for that period. The coverage is different from the insurance required while the driver is carrying out a prearranged ride.
Driver Has Accepted a Ride
Once a prearranged ride begins, New Jersey requires a higher level of liability coverage. That period generally includes travel connected with the accepted ride under the state’s transportation network company law.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim?
Rideshare crashes can injure more than the passenger inside an Uber or Lyft. Depending on how the collision occurred, several types of injured people may have claims.
We represent:
- Uber and Lyft passengers.
- Drivers and occupants of other vehicles.
- Pedestrians struck by rideshare vehicles.
- Bicyclists injured in rideshare collisions.
- Motorcyclists hit by rideshare drivers.
Our legal team can examine how the crash happened and determine which parties may be legally responsible.
What Injuries Can Lead to a Rideshare Accident Claim?
Even a relatively low-speed collision can cause injuries that require extended treatment. Some people recover within weeks, while others face lasting limitations.
Our New Jersey rideshare accident attorneys handle claims involving injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck and back injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones.
- Internal injuries.
- Shoulder and knee injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
Medical records can help establish how the collision affected you. We also consider whether your injuries interfere with your work or daily activities when evaluating your losses.
What Compensation May Be Available?
If another person caused your injuries, you may be entitled to seek compensation under New Jersey law. What you can pursue depends on the circumstances of the crash, your injuries, and the insurance coverage involved.
Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses.
- Future medical care related to the injury.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning ability.
- Pain and suffering.
- Property damage.
- Other documented accident-related losses.
We build claims around evidence rather than accepting an insurer’s first assessment of what your injuries are worth.
How Does New Jersey’s No-Fault System Affect Rideshare Claims?
New Jersey uses a no-fault automobile insurance system, but rideshare accidents are governed by additional rules under the state’s transportation network company laws.
Your ability to pursue compensation may depend on your role in the crash and which insurance coverage applies. Passenger claims can raise different issues from claims made by rideshare drivers, pedestrians, or occupants of another vehicle.
A New Jersey personal injury lawyer can review the applicable policies and determine how New Jersey insurance law affects your particular claim.
What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Your first priority should be getting medical attention when you are injured. Once your immediate health needs are addressed, preserve information related to the ride and the collision.
Helpful steps may include:
- Report the accident to law enforcement.
- Take photographs if you can do so safely.
- Save your Uber or Lyft trip receipt and app information.
- Keep copies of medical and expense records.
- Obtain witness contact information.
- Avoid signing an insurance release before understanding its effect.
You should also be careful when an insurer asks for a recorded statement. What you say may later be used when the company evaluates liability or your injuries.
How Sweet James Handles Rideshare Accident Claims
Insurance companies have their own financial interests to protect. At Sweet James, our role is to protect yours.
Before founding Sweet James, James represented insurance carriers in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. That background gave him insight into how insurance companies analyze claims and defend against payment demands.
The Sweet James Advantage means using that knowledge for injured people. We investigate the collision and handle communications with the insurers involved. If an insurer refuses to make a reasonable offer, our experienced trial team is prepared to pursue the case further.
How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit in New Jersey?
New Jersey generally gives an injured person two years from the date a personal injury claim accrues to file a lawsuit. Different deadlines can apply in certain situations.
You should not rely on the general two-year period without having your case reviewed. Claims involving public entities can carry shorter notice requirements, and waiting can also make useful evidence harder to preserve.
Speaking with a New Jersey rideshare accident attorney early gives us more time to investigate the collision and identify the legal deadlines that apply to you.
Searching for a New Jersey Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me? Call Sweet James for a FREE Consult
At Sweet James, we take the time to understand how your injury has affected your life and pursue compensation supported by the facts of your claim.
Contact a rideshare accident lawyer serving New Jersey for a free consultation. We work on contingency, and under our Pay No Fees or Costs Until We Win approach, you do not pay fees or costs unless we obtain a recovery for you.
