East Orange Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in the United States. As the percentage of active users continues to climb, so does the risk of accidents, which presents unique liability challenges.

Until recently, in New Jersey, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies were only required to carry minimal insurance coverage for the driver. While they are now required to cover passengers and others, seeking damages following a rideshare accident can be challenging, given that rideshare vehicles are privately owned, and coverage varies depending on the status of the driver and vehicle at the time of the accident.

If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, you need experience in your corner to navigate the murky waters of state and insurance laws. At Goldstein & Goldstein, our East Orange Uber and Lyft accident lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience representing clients injured in car accidents, recovering millions of dollars in compensation.

Rideshare Physical and Sexual Assault Lawsuits

Unfortunately, thousands of physical and sexual assaults have been reported by Uber and Lyft customers against drivers or other passengers. In two years, Uber and Lyft reported a combined 7,800 assaults, resulting in nearly 40 lawsuits against the companies for unwanted sexual contact and harassment.

You can potentially seek a personal injury claim after an assault that occurs in a rideshare vehicle. The legal process can vary depending on the circumstances of the assault, such as who committed the assault and whether the rideshare company can be held liable. If another passenger assaulted you in the rideshare vehicle, you might have a claim against the individual who committed the assault. In this case, you could pursue legal action against them for any injuries or damages you suffered due to the assault.

What Are Common Types of Uber and Lyft Accidents?

In New Jersey, there are four different common rideshare accident scenarios:

• The Uber or Lyft driver caused or contributed to the accident.
• Another driver caused an accident while you were a rideshare passenger.
• An Uber or Lyft driver strikes a pedestrian or cyclist.
• You suffered an injury getting into or out of a rideshare vehicle.

There is often much confusion around the driver’s role in a rideshare accident. This confusion stems from the fact that drivers are considered independent contractors and company employees, which makes determining liability difficult.

What Should I Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident?

The steps you take after suffering an injury in a rideshare accident can provide crucial information and evidence valuable to your claim. If you are uninjured, you should report the accident, exchange contact information with the driver, gather statements from witnesses, keep all records related to the accident, and consult an experienced rideshare accident lawyer. Most importantly, seek medical attention to rule out unseen life-threatening injuries with delayed symptoms.

What Injuries Are Common in Rideshare Accidents?

An Uber or Lyft accident can result in many injuries, from mild to severe. Common injuries include amputation, neck and spinal injuries, organ and nerve damage, Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), burns, whiplash, and death.

How Does Insurance Work in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Rideshare companies are required to have active insurance policies for passengers under the Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act. Passengers are covered in accidents caused by the rideshare driver or if the driver’s personal auto coverage is insufficient for your injuries.

Coverage levels vary, however, depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident, which the insurance industry divides into four different periods, as follows:

• Period 0: The driver’s rideshare app is off, and the vehicle is operating for personal use.
• Period 1: The app is on and active with no accepted rides.
• Period 2: The driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up the customer.
• Period 3: The driver has picked up the customer and is en route to their destination.

Rideshare companies typically have the most coverage in periods two and three but minimal under period one.

What Is New Jersey’s Personal Injury Protection Insurance?

New Jersey’s “no-fault” laws require all vehicle owners to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Each person injured in an accident must first turn to their own PIP coverage, which allows you to seek immediate medical attention.

How Does PIP Apply in Rideshare Accidents?

Uber and Lyft drivers are required to carry $1.5 million PIP coverage per occurrence, either independently, through the company, or both insurance policies, which apply if your driver is responsible for the accident. If another driver caused the accident, you would seek a claim against that driver’s insurance company.

The popularity of rideshare services has surged past existing laws in many states, which has created some grey areas regarding insurance coverage, which differs if you are injured as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, as follows:

• Driver: If you are an Uber or Lyft driver and your auto policy contains a “commercial use” exclusion, claims against your own PIP coverage could be denied if the carrier concludes the vehicle was engaged in commercial purposes at the time of the accident. Some rideshare companies state that PIP coverage is the same as limousines and taxis in many states. This can be a crucial designation as New Jersey does not require limousines and taxis to carry PIP insurance.
• Passenger: If you are injured in a rideshare accident and do not have PIP insurance, you may have to seek coverage through the driver or rideshare company’s insurance policies or file a claim seeking damages.
• Pedestrians: If you are injured as a pedestrian and your medical expenses exceed your own PIP coverage limits, you can seek PIP coverage from the rideshare company’s liability insurance. Though limos and taxis are excluded from PIP laws for passengers and other drivers, they are required to carry coverage for pedestrians in New Jersey.

What if an At-Fault Uber or Lyft Driver Flees the Scene of an Accident?

Hit-and-run drivers are often nearly impossible to identify unless the driver was operating as a rideshare at the time. Rideshare apps track each driver’s location and trips, and the companies can provide the driver’s information to the police if one flees the scene of an accident. You can seek compensation from the rideshare company if you prove the driver was at fault and fled the scene.

Why Choose Goldstein & Goldstein After a New Jersey Uber or Lyft Accident

Uber and Lyft are multi-billion-dollar companies with endless legal and financial resources to fight liability claims, reducing your chances of recovering adequate compensation without an experienced lawyer. A lawyer can visit the scene, collect evidence, interview responding officers and witnesses, determine liability, hire experts, negotiate for compensation, and represent you if your case goes to trial.

After a rideshare accident, choosing Goldstein & Goldstein can make a significant difference in your case. Our experience in personal injury law, especially regarding rideshare accidents, ensures you have knowledgeable representation. Our track record of successful settlements and trials means you can trust us to fight for your rights and maximize your compensation. Plus, our dedication to client care ensures that a supportive team guides you through every step of the legal process.

Our East Orange Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers at Goldstein & Goldstein Advocate for Clients Injured in Rideshare Collisions

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a rideshare accident, our compassionate and experienced East Orange Uber & Lyft accident lawyers at Goldstein & Goldstein can help you seek damages you may be entitled to for your injuries and losses. Call 973-675-8277 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in East Orange, New Jersey, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.