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Rideshare services have transformed how millions of people travel, offering convenient transportation at the tap of a smartphone. However, when an accident occurs while you are riding in an Uber or Lyft, the aftermath can leave you confused about your rights and options.
As a passenger, you hold a unique position in these situations, with potential claims against multiple parties.
Why Do Rideshare Vehicles Get Into Accidents?
Rideshare drivers face unique challenges that contribute to collision rates. Many of them work long hours to maximize earnings, leading to fatigue that impairs reaction time and decision-making abilities. Distraction from the rideshare app poses another significant risk, as drivers must monitor their phones for ride requests, check GPS directions, and communicate with passengers through the platform.
Unfamiliarity with areas where they pick up passengers can result in sudden lane changes, missed turns, or abrupt stops. Some rideshare operators lack adequate driving experience or have limited knowledge of local traffic patterns; pressure to accept rides quickly and maintain high ratings may encourage rushed or aggressive driving behaviors.
Who Is Liable for My Injuries?
That depends on the specific circumstances of the collision. If another motorist caused the accident, that driver’s insurance typically bears primary responsibility for passenger injuries. When the rideshare driver’s negligence caused the crash, both the driver’s personal insurance and the rideshare company’s commercial policy may apply.
Uber and Lyft maintain substantial insurance coverage that activates when drivers have accepted a ride request or are transporting passengers. This coverage includes liability protection of up to $1 million per accident. Multiple parties may share fault, which can affect the distribution of compensation under comparative negligence principles.
How Does Rideshare Insurance Coverage Work?
Rideshare companies provide different levels of insurance coverage based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. When a driver has the app turned on but has not accepted a ride, limited liability coverage applies. Once a driver accepts a trip request or has a passenger in the vehicle, the full $1 million commercial policy becomes active.
This policy covers bodily injury and property damage for passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles. The rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance may also contribute to covering your losses, though many personal policies exclude coverage during commercial activity.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
Passengers injured in rideshare accidents may recover various forms of compensation depending on the severity of their injuries and the impact on their lives. Economic damages include medical expenses, both current and future, as well as lost income if injuries prevent you from working.
Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. In cases involving severe or permanent injuries, compensation may also account for ongoing rehabilitation costs, necessary modifications to your home or vehicle, and loss of earning capacity.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Newark?
New Jersey law establishes specific time limits for filing personal injury claims following motor vehicle accidents. Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. However, waiting too long to take action can jeopardize your ability to gather evidence, as witnesses’ memories fade and documentation becomes harder to obtain.
Acting promptly allows you to build a stronger case while evidence remains fresh and medical records accurately reflect the connection between the accident and your injuries.
Let Our Newark Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at Goldstein & Goldstein, LLP Handle Your Car Accident Claim While You Focus on Recovery
If you were injured in a rideshare collision, contact our Newark Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Goldstein & Goldstein, LLP. Call 973-675-8277 or complete our online form today for a free consultation. We are located in East Orange, NJ, and serve clients in the surrounding areas.
