Have You Been Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in NJ?
Whether you were a passenger in a rideshare or a rideshare driver hit you, if you were injured you, may have a claim. Contact New Jersey Uber accident lawyers Jared Glugeth and David Pierguidi for a free consultation today.
You trusted a rideshare app to get you where you needed to go. Instead, you ended up in an accident. Between confusing insurance policies and companies that don’t make it easy to get answers, recovering compensation after an Uber or Lyft crash in New Jersey can feel like an uphill battle.
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., our New Jersey rideshare accident lawyers know how to take on Uber, Lyft, and their insurers. When you work with our firm, you receive decades of litigation experience in your fight for recovery.
An accident during a rideshare trip can leave you shaken and unsure of what to do next. We’re here to help you understand your options, protect your rights, and make sure you don’t walk through this experience alone.
Whether you were a rideshare passenger, another driver, a cyclist, or a pedestrian, you need a New Jersey Uber accident lawyer. We’re ready to help you understand your rights and pursue the full compensation you’re owed.
Uber and Lyft have released their safety reports detailing the number of crash deaths reported during rides. According to Uber’s US Safety Report, from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, 153 deaths were recorded in 127 fatal crashes. These deaths resulted in an Uber accident fatality rate of 0.87 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
The Community Safety Report from Lyft stated there were 111 fatalities, an 18 percent increase in deaths from the previous report, though still less than the national average.
While rideshare accidents remain relatively rare compared to overall traffic incidents, these statistics show that fatal crashes can still occur. When they do, it’s essential to understand your legal rights and options
Both Uber and Lyft released a safety report detailing the number of crash deaths reported during rides.
According to Uber’s US Safety Report, there were 153 deaths recorded in crashes between 2021 and 2022. This resulted in an Uber accident fatality rate of 0.87 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in a two-year period. About 16% of these deaths were Uber drivers and another 29% were passengers.
The Community Safety Report from Lyft is less detailed. According to its data, 86 people were killed in incidents involving Lyft vehicles between 2021 and 2022.
Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage Rules
While rideshare accidents may seem similar to other types of car accidents on the surface, they involve some unique factors.
Rideshare drivers are mandated by law to offer different insurance coverage depending on the status of the driver.
Driving with the App Off
Whenever a Lyft or Uber driver gets into an accident with the app disabled or off, their personal insurance policy applies. This means that the rideshare company won’t cover the accident.
Driver Logged on to App But Not Providing a Prearranged Ride
Once the driver turns their app on and is waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company’s insurance kicks in. New Jersey law mandates the following coverage:
- $50,000 per person for death or bodily injury,
- $100,000 per accident for death or bodily injury, and
- $25,000 per accident for property damage.
The law also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and primary personal injury protection benefits.
Driver Is Providing a Prearranged Ride
If a driver accepts a ride request, the rideshare company increases the insurance coverage until the driver completes the ride. Under New Jersey law, this stage’s coverage must include $1,500,000 in liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage and $1,500,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
If you’re unsure which situation applies for you, we recommend discussing your claim with a Hoboken Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.
The legal process for a rideshare accident claim involves multiple steps, and having an attorney can help you navigate each one effectively:
- Case evaluation. Your attorney works to review the details of the accident, determine fault, and identify which insurance policies may provide coverage based on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.
- Evidence collection. This stage includes gathering police reports, medical records, photos, app data, witness statements, and other documentation supporting your claim.
- Insurance claims. Your lawyer will file claims with the appropriate insurance providers. This may be Uber or Lyft’s corporate policy, the driver’s personal auto insurance, or both.
- Negotiation. The attorney will negotiate with insurance adjusters to pursue a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
- Filing a lawsuit. If a settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer may file a personal injury lawsuit to take the case to court.
- Discovery. During this phase, both sides exchange information and documents relevant to the case. This exchange may include depositions, interrogatories, and requests for records from Uber, Lyft, or other involved parties.
- Litigation and resolution. Your attorney will handle court proceedings, advocate for your rights, and work toward a resolution through trial or continued negotiations.
Because of the legal and insurance complexities involved in these cases, having an experienced New Jersey Lyft accident lawyer helps ensure your claim is handled correctly and your rights are fully protected.
Potential Damages in an Uber or Lyft Accident
Generally, two categories of damages apply to most rideshare accidents: economic and non-economic. They each have an essential role in your claim’s value. Here’s an overview of what they include and how an Uber accident lawyer may calculate them.
Economic
Also known as special damages, economic damages are the financial losses associated with your accident. A financial loss refers to any out-of-pocket costs you incur as a result of the accident.
These expenses include the following:
- Hospitalization,
- Medications,
- Surgeries,
- Rehabilitation,
- Prosthetics,
- Vehicle repairs,
- Lost wages, and
- Reduced earning capacity.
Economic damages are typically quantifiable and easier to calculate because they involve documented financial losses. However, it’s essential to consult a NJ Uber and Lyft accident lawyer, who can gather the necessary evidence and work with experts to determine a fair and accurate valuation of your claim.
Non-Economic
General or non-economic damages reimburse victims for intangible losses. In other words, these losses don’t have a price or standard value.
Some of these losses include:
- Mental anguish,
- Pain and suffering
- Bodily injuries
- Lower quality of life,
- Permanent disability,
- Loss of consortium,
- Severe disfigurement, and
- Pain and suffering.
Noneconomic damages don’t have a clear price tag, making them especially difficult to calculate. Your New Jersey rideshare accident attorney may work with medical and financial experts to assess the full extent of these losses and help build a claim that accurately reflects how the accident has impacted your life.
Why Is Suing Uber or Lyft Challenging?
One of the primary legal hurdles in rideshare accident cases is how drivers are classified. Under current New Jersey law, most rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees. This distinction makes it difficult to sue companies like Uber or Lyft directly for a driver’s negligence since employers are typically only liable for the actions of their employees, not independent contractors.
This legal structure has allowed Uber and Lyft to avoid direct liability in many accident claims. Instead, they rely on third-party insurance coverage to handle most legal and financial fallout from crashes involving their drivers. However, this could be changing.
In April 2025, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development proposed a new rule that could potentially expand the classification of gig workers, including rideshare drivers, as employees rather than independent contractors. If applicable, companies like Uber and Lyft could face legal exposure in personal injury claims if their drivers are reclassified as employees.
An experienced New Jersey Uber accident lawyer informed about these developments can advise you on what to expect from your case.
In New Jersey, similar to other personal injury claims, there’s a strict two-year timeframe from the accident within which you must file your claim. Failing to meet this deadline could result in the dismissal of your case. The impact of a car accident, often accompanied by shock, might obscure injuries and their signs. Seeking immediate medical attention and reaching out to a New Jersey Uber accident attorney is crucial to prevent the permanent forfeiture of your right to file a claim, ensuring you take timely action after the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Due to the complexity of rideshare accidents, many claimants have questions about the claims process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding rideshare accidents.
It depends. If the driver doesn’t have the app open at the time of the accident, then you may not be able to sue the rideshare. However you can sue the driver and bring a claim directly with their personal insurance company.
Being involved in a crash can be disorienting. Here are some immediate steps you should take:
- Ensure safety first. Move to a safe area if you can, and check for injuries.
- Call 911. Always report the accident, even if it seems minor. A police report is essential.
- Seek medical attention. Some injuries don’t appear right away. Prompt care helps your health and your case.
- Document the scene. Take photos of all vehicles, license plates, road conditions, and your injuries.
- Collect contact info. Get the names, insurance details, and app status of the rideshare driver and any other drivers involved.
- Report the crash to Uber or Lyft. Use the app’s help function to inform the rideshare company of the accident, but avoid giving detailed statements until you speak with a lawyer.
- Contact a New Jersey Uber accident lawyer. Don’t wait. Legal guidance from the outset helps preserve your rights and compensation.
Taking these steps can protect both your health and your legal rights. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better positioned you’ll be to pursue the compensation you deserve.
If the driver has their app on when they hit you, you may make a claim with the rideshare company’s insurance. Proving that the driver had their app on may be difficult, so we encourage you to seek the help of a New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident attorney.
Keep in mind your claim for PIP benefits will need to be made through your car insurance company, or resident family member’s policy. It is important to speak with an experienced lawyer at Glugeth & Pierguidi to determine the proper insurance companies to file claims with.
How Does an Uber or Lyft Policy Work If There’s More Than One Victim?
If there is more than one victim in a rideshare accident, they often all make a claim under the same policy. Unfortunately, this gets complicated when it comes to policy limits. If your treatment costs more than the policy limit, you may need to look for other sources of compensation. Another potential source is your own auto insurance policy. Since New Jersey is a no-fault state, you may recover some of your economic damages from your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
Rideshare drivers often navigate unfamiliar neighborhoods while using GPS, managing app requests, and dealing with traffic simultaneously. These distractions and long hours on the road create conditions ripe for accidents.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving,
- Fatigue,
- Speeding,
- Failure to yield,
- Improper stopping,
- Illegal U-turns,
- Tailgating,
- Aggressive lane changes,
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance,
- Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers,
- Driving under the influence,
- Failure to obey traffic signs, and
- Poorly maintained roads.
Each of these causes can factor into a negligence claim. An experienced New Jersey rideshare accident lawyer can investigate whether the driver’s behavior violated traffic laws or created a risk for others.
How do Taxi Services Differ From Ridesharing?
Ridesharing platforms such as Uber treat their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. These drivers utilize their personal vehicles to transport passengers, which distinguishes them significantly from traditional taxi services. Consequently, the insurance policies and coverage levels for taxis and cab drivers differ from those applicable to ridesharing services and their drivers.
In most cases, your personal insurance rates should not increase if you were a rideshare passenger during an accident. Since you were not the driver or directly responsible for the accident, your insurance rates are unlikely to be affected. However, insurance policies and regulations can vary, so it’s always a good idea to check with your insurance provider to get accurate information based on your specific circumstances.
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., we understand how frightening a rideshare accident can be for passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers.
At our firm, we focus on the needs of our clients and believe they need an advocate who’s with them every step of the way. Unlike other firms, we won’t hand you off to an associate attorney. You deserve to have a partner with decades of experience in trial litigation. That’s why our founding attorneys Jared Glugeth and David Pierguidi work personally with every client.
To schedule a free consultation, please call us at 201-699-5070 or contact us online. We proudly serve clients in Hoboken and throughout New Jersey and New York.
