Middlesex County Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers

Though convenient and universally popular, services such as Uber and Lyft can create legal challenges following an accident; when you are injured in a rideshare accident, you need a knowledgeable and experienced legal team in your corner to ensure your rights are protected. In Middlesex County, that team is Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. We have decades of experience litigating vehicle accident claims and securing millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.

What Types of Uber and Lyft Accidents Does Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. Handle?

Our skilled Middlesex County Uber & Lyft accident lawyers represent clients injured in rideshare accidents, such as:

• Head-on collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Sideswipe accidents
• Side-impact or T-bone collisions

What Are Common Types of Injuries in Uber and Lyft Accidents?

As with any car accident, injuries suffered in Uber and Lyft accidents can range from mild to severe, depending on the seriousness of the accident, where you were located in the back seat, and whether you were wearing a seat belt. Passengers who sit in the center back seat typically suffer more serious injuries than those in other seats, especially when not restrained. Common rideshare injuries include:

• Broken bones and fractures, especially in the limbs, ribs, wrists, and hands from the impact, bracing for impact, or striking something inside the car.
• Bruising and burns from seat belts, airbags, or striking something in the car’s interior.
• Cuts and lacerations from shattered glass, broken objects, or interior surfaces.
• Emotional trauma, including PTSD and anxiety from serious and particularly damaging accidents.
• Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries from striking your head against the front seat, a window, or other passengers.
• Neck and spinal injuries, including paralysis in severe cases due to the abrupt force of impact.
• Organ damage due to blunt-force trauma or punctures from broken bones or metal, which may have delayed symptoms but can be life-threatening if untreated.
• Strains, sprains, and bruises to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, particularly in the neck, shoulder, and back areas.
• Whiplash, due to rapid back-and-forth motions of the head during a collision, causing the brain to slam against the skull and bruise.

What Are New Jersey’s Rideshare Laws?

In response to the increased use of rideshare services in New Jersey, the state created the New Jersey Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act (TNCSRA), which requires drivers and companies to adhere to the following:

• Drivers are required to carry at least the state-mandated minimum auto insurance.
• Rideshare companies are required to conduct thorough background checks on all applicants including driving and criminal histories and National Sex Offender Registry status. State laws prohibit individuals convicted of DUI, fraud, sexual offenses, or other violent offenses from obtaining employment as a rideshare driver.
• Rideshare drivers are required to submit to vehicle safety inspections every two years.
• Drivers must have the rideshare company logo prominently displayed on their vehicle, typically in the front and/or windows.
• Rideshare companies are required to maintain transparent pricing, provide electronic receipts, and maintain compliance with all state and federal anti-discrimination and civil rights laws.

Am I Covered by Company Insurance in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Uber and Lyft are required to carry at least $1.5 million in bodily injury, property damage, and death insurance in New Jersey to cover injuries in the event of an accident. However, coverage can be complicated and may not apply in all situations, depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. Uber and Lyft insurance coverage is divided into four periods, each with different coverage, which includes:

• Period 0: Personal use; the driver is not actively logged into the rideshare or accepting rides.
• Period 1: Driver’s app is active, but with no accepted rides.
• Period 2: Driver accepted a ride and is driving to pick up a customer.
• Period 3: Driver has picked up a customer and driving to their destination.

Does PIP Insurance Apply in Uber and Lyft Accidents?

All vehicle owners in New Jersey are required to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) insurance as part of their auto insurance policy, and all injured parties must first use their PIP for medical treatment regardless of who caused the accident.

Rideshare drivers must carry at least $1.5 million in PIP coverage to cover passengers injured in accidents caused by the driver. Injuries in accidents caused by other motorists are the driver’s responsibility. In rideshare accidents, insurance coverage varies, depending on your status at the time of the accident, such as:

• Rideshare Driver: Uber & Lyft drivers may or may not be covered, depending on any exclusions within their insurance policy. Some policies contain a “commercial use” exclusion, which denies coverage if the vehicle is being used for commercial purposes at the time of the accident.
• Passenger: Passengers without PIP insurance can seek coverage by filing a claim with the driver’s, Uber’s, or Lyft’s insurance company.
• Pedestrians: Injured pedestrians may seek coverage under Uber or Lyft’s liability insurance if medical expenses exceed personal PIP coverage limits.

After a rideshare accident, you are entitled to seek compensation from the responsible party within two years of the date of the accident or death for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

What Should I Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Gathering evidence after an Uber or Lyft accident is a crucial step toward proving liability for your injuries and losses. If you are physically able, you should take the following steps after an accident:

• Report the accident and injuries to police.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with the responsible driver, but limit conversation to prevent your comments being used against you.
• Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and contributing factors.
• Ask witnesses for contact information and statements.
• Seek immediate medical attention to rule out or treat potentially life-threatening internal injuries and obtain a medical report detailing your injuries.
• Keep all records related to the accident.
• Consult a knowledgeable car accident lawyer experienced with handling Uber and Lyft accident claims and negotiating with insurance companies for maximum compensation.

Do I Need a Lawyer After an Uber or Lyft Accident?

You are not required to hire a lawyer for an Uber or Lyft accident, though it is wise to do so. Rideshare accidents can be challenging due to the driver’s status at the time of the accident and whether you are entitled to insurance coverage. An experienced and skilled Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal issues involved in rideshare cases. When you hire Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A., our legal team can work on your behalf to:

• Investigate the scene.
• Review police reports.
• Interview witnesses.
• Establish liability.
• Calculate your damages.
• Hire experts, if appropriate.
• Negotiate with insurance companies.
• Represent you in court, if necessary.

The Middlesex County Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. Advocate for Clients Injured in Rideshare Crashes

If you or a loved one have been injured in a rideshare accident, call the skilled Middlesex County Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. at 732-906-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Brick, Freehold, Point Pleasant, and Edison, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout New Jersey.