New Jersey Lyft Accident Lawyer
Despite being responsible for paying riders, Lyft drivers are no safer than standard vehicle drivers. They cause and contribute to accidents for the same reasons as other drivers, including distracted driving and speeding. Your rights as the victim of a Lyft accident in New Jersey, however, are much different than in a standard vehicle collision. If the Lyft driver was on duty at the time of the collision, you may have to contend with the corporation’s insurance policy.
At Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, our experienced Lyft accident lawyers have been serving injured accident victims in Hudson County, Essex County and throughout New Jersey since 1965. We pride ourselves on staying up to date on the latest in personal injury law and have been handling ridesharing accident cases since the advent of this transportation network. Find out how we can help you after a Lyft accident during a free consultation at one of our conveniently located law offices today.
Protect Your Rights by Hiring a Lyft Accident Lawyer
If you get injured in a Lyft accident, Lyft and its aggressive legal team will do their best to refute liability and save the company money. A Lyft accident lawyer can represent you during insurance claim negotiations to argue for a fair and full amount for your injuries and losses. Your lawyer will understand how ridesharing insurance coverage works and how to navigate related laws to achieve maximum financial compensation for your serious injuries and future medical needs.
While you concentrate on healing and recovering, your Lyft accident attorney in Jersey City can return to the scene of your collision, take over communications with an insurance company, hire qualified experts and take care of many complicated legal matters on your behalf. Your lawyer will keep you updated on the status of your case, answer all of your questions and address your concerns for optimal peace of mind in the aftermath of a Lyft accident.
What Causes Lyft Accidents?
Lyft accidents often arise for the same reasons as standard car accidents in New Jersey. Although Lyft drivers are responsible for the lives of passengers, they are just as prone to mistakes and lapses in judgment behind the wheel as other drivers. In addition, ridesharing companies are notorious for shortcomings in how they hire and train their drivers.
The most common causes of Lyft accidents in New Jersey are:
- Lyft driver error. Lyft drivers are required to use the Lyft app while they are driving to search for riders and accept rides. This leads to a high frequency of driver distraction in the ridesharing industry. Other common driver mistakes are drowsy driving, drunk driving, speeding, failing to yield, making unsafe lane changes and reckless driving.
- Third-party driver error. Other drivers that share the road with Lyft vehicles can make driver mistakes as well – such as acts of recklessness and carelessness – and crash into the Lyft while it is transporting passengers.
- Lyft company negligence. Some Lyft accidents trace back to preventable mistakes made by the company. In personal injury law, negligence is any example of carelessness that causes injuries or harm to other people. Common examples of negligence by Lyft are failing to conduct background checks on its drivers, failing to fire dangerous drivers and failing to inspect the vehicles used.
Identifying the cause of your Lyft accident is an important step in pursuing financial compensation for your injuries and medical expenses. The cause of the collision may point to the defendant, or the party you are attempting to hold liable (financially responsible) for your accident.
Who Is Liable for a Lyft Accident in New Jersey?
One of the many reasons it is important to hire a Lyft accident lawyer to represent you during a Jersey City injury claim is the complex nature of the insurance system. Your lawyer can help you navigate the insurance and personal injury laws that are related to ridesharing accidents, including rules imposed by the State of New Jersey. This includes the state’s “choice” no-fault law and special rules for transportation services.
What Is New Jersey’s No-Fault Rule?
New Jersey’s no-fault rule can limit a driver’s recovery options after an automobile accident. If you have a basic “limited right to sue” policy, you will file a claim with your own insurance company after a car accident, regardless of fault, unless you can prove that your injuries are serious. If you purchased more expensive “unlimited right to sue” insurance, however, you can bring a liability lawsuit against the at-fault party, whether your injuries were minor or major.
If your collision involves a transportation network company or driver, however, you are not restricted to the state’s no-fault system even with the minimum amount of car insurance coverage. Lyft or Uber’s mandatory required liability insurance under New Jersey law will cover your medical bills and other losses as a passenger or driver.
How Much Insurance Is Offered by Lyft?
In New Jersey, ridesharing companies are required to carry $1.5 million combined in bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, as well as $1.5 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance. This liability insurance has different coverage limits based on the phase of the Lyft ride. Injured passengers will always be eligible for the full amount of coverage – up to $1.5 million – even if the Lyft driver didn’t cause the accident.
It is important to note that if the Lyft driver that crashed into you was logged into the Lyft app but had not yet accepted a ride, you will first be required to request financial benefits through New Jersey’s traditional no-fault rule before you can file a claim against Lyft’s insurance policy. The complicated nature of most Lyft insurance claims is an important reason to trust your case to an experienced and knowledgeable car accident attorney.
Contact Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC Now | Free Case Review in New Jersey
If you or a loved one was injured in a recent Lyft accident in New Jersey, don’t hesitate to contact Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC to request a free initial consultation. We have years of experience representing individuals and families in ridesharing accident cases, including both Uber and Lyft accidents. Our New Jersey and Jersey City car accident lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free initial consultation at one of our nearby law offices today. Call (201) 997-0030 to speak to our New Jersey Lyft accident lawyers.