Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft continue to revolutionize the transportation industry in New Jersey. However, with increased convenience and accessibility comes a higher rate of accidents involving rideshare vehicles. If you sustained injuries during an Uber or Lyft accident, let our New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. help.
What Makes Rideshare Accidents Different From Regular Car Accidents?
Rideshare accidents involve more legal complexity than standard vehicle collisions do, as the former involves multiple insurance policies and liability considerations.
Uber and Lyft maintain third-party liability insurance coverage in New Jersey that, by law, provides up to $1.5 million for personal injuries and property damage per accident for the victims. This maximum coverage activates while the driver is actively transporting a passenger during an active trip, or when the driver is traveling to collect a passenger after accepting a ride request. However, when a driver is logged into the app without an active ride request, this coverage reduces to $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Victims often use this insurance coverage to make up for accident-related current and future medical expenses, immediate lost income, reduced earning potential, physical pain and suffering, psychological and emotional trauma, and any property damage.
What Should I Do Immediately After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
After a rideshare accident in New Jersey, make sure to prioritize your health and well-being. Call 911 to request both emergency medical assistance and police presence, even if you do not feel injured. Remember that the shock and adrenaline from the accident could mask certain internal symptoms. If safe to do so, take pictures of the scene of the accident, any visible injuries, the weather conditions, and any hazards that might have caused the crash. Gather the driver’s information, ask for contact information from any witnesses, and report the accident via the appropriate rideshare app.
Should I Contact a Lawyer After a Rideshare Accident?
Unfortunately, the rideshare company’s insurance provider might hesitate to give you the payout that you deserve for your injuries or try to lowball you into accepting an insufficient offer. They may also question the severity of your injuries or gaslight you into admitting that you had a pre-existing condition that did not qualify for coverage.
Insurance claimants who consult with a knowledgeable rideshare lawyer have a much higher success rate than those who go without. Lawyers can help you identify every potentially liable party in your specific situation, navigate the tiered rideshare insurance policies, collect and preserve any and all time-sensitive evidence, accurately calculate your complete damages, negotiate on your behalf with insurance adjusters, and—if necessary—represent you in a court of law.
Getting Help with Your Rideshare Accident Case from the New Jersey Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A.
If you get into a rideshare accident in New Jersey and need to claim compensation for your losses and injuries, trust the seasoned New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. We have advocated for our clients’ legal needs since 1975, recovering more than $800 million in settlements and verdicts. Call us at 732-906-1500 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Our office locations in Brick, Freehold, and Edison, New Jersey, proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey, including Point Pleasant.
