If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in New Jersey, you might be unsure of your options for compensation. Because these rideshare companies are relatively new, there can be confusion about the next steps after an accident. Knowing what to do after an Uber or Lyft accident can help you receive the damages you deserve.
After an Uber or Lyft accident in New Jersey, it’s important to alert the police and seek medical attention right away. Next, contact an experienced attorney. If you intend to sue Uber or Lyft for compensation, a lawyer can help you understand the New Jersey laws regarding car accident lawsuits. Because New Jersey is a no-fault state, pursuing litigation can become complicated.
The New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Legal Care aren’t intimidated by large rideshare companies. Our team advocates for victims after they’ve been injured in an accident. For a free consultation, call the New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Legal Care today at (732) 838-9769.
What Should You Do When Your Uber/Lyft Gets in an Accident in NJ?
Like with any collision, notify emergency services and visit the hospital after an Uber or Lyft accident in New Jersey. When large rideshare companies are involved in an accident, it might be doubly important to take these steps. Suppose you intend to sue Uber or Lyft for compensation. In that case, it’s helpful to involve the police and medical professionals early on.
Inform the Police
After a car accident of any kind, you should alert the police. Once they arrive at the scene of a collision, they can promptly gather the necessary information. The police will collect everyone’s insurance information and speak to witnesses to get accident accounts. The police will interview all relevant parties and note any important details. When seeking compensation from large rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft, having a police accident report can strengthen your case.
Visit the Hospital
When you’ve been injured, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. In instances of an Uber or Lyft accident, visiting a doctor can be even more crucial. A medical professional can verify your injuries and document them. Medical records can become evidence in a claim filed against Uber or Lyft. When bringing a lawsuit against a large rideshare company, it’s important to have proof of injuries and medical records that validate your claim.
Contact an Attorney
Once you have alerted the police and visited the hospital, contact an attorney. An experienced Newark Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can assess your experience and help you get the compensation you deserve. The New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Legal Care can stand up to rideshare companies and fight for your rights as a victim. Our team will work to get you sufficient damages to help you in your recovery.
What Damages Can You Receive if Your Uber/Lyft Gets in an Accident in NJ?
Although rideshare companies are relatively new phenomena, the New Jersey legislature has begun to address them. Currently, N.J.S.A. § 39:5H-10 dictates the responsibility of such rideshare companies to carry liability insurance in case of an accident. While you can file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft after an accident in New Jersey, you might not need to.
Passenger Victims
For passenger-related injuries, Uber and Lyft are required to carry $1,500,000 in liability insurance for bodily harm, death, or property damage. Rideshare companies must also carry the equivalent amount in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This amount relates to injuries sustained by a passenger during a pre-arranged ride. That means that a victim was being driven in an Uber or Lyft at the time of an accident. This substantial coverage would work in tandem with a victim’s personal injury protection coverage (PIP) that’s available to New Jersey drivers.
Non-Passenger Victims
The coverage for cases where an Uber or Lyft driver was not engaging in a pre-arranged ride yet injured a person during an accident is different. In that case, rideshare companies must carry a total of $175,000 in liability insurance. In such instances, an Uber or Lyft driver might have injured a pedestrian or bicyclist while working but not carrying a passenger. If you are injured as a pedestrian, your PIP insurance will still attempt to cover your expenses.
PIP aims to cover your injuries after a car accident. Because New Jersey is a no-fault state, each party involved in a collision must file a claim with their insurance provider. PIP exists to lower the need for lawsuits in New Jersey. If your PIP insurance doesn’t fully cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, Uber or Lyft’s liability insurance might apply. If afterward your expenses are still not adequately compensated for, you can pursue litigation with the help of the New Jersey Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Legal Care.
Should You Contact an Attorney if Your Uber/Lyft Gets in an Accident in NJ?
After your Uber or Lyft gets in an accident, seeking legal advice from an experienced attorney can be beneficial. Whether or not you intend to sue, a lawyer can help you understand your options as a victim of an Uber or Lyft accident.
Because these types of accidents involve large rideshare companies, seeking compensation for your injuries can be daunting. Because of New Jersey’s no-fault laws, car accident lawsuits usually only arise from serious injuries. Your PIP coverage and a rideshare company’s liability insurance might not adequately cover your medical expenses. Each week spent recovering might be a week that you don’t receive a paycheck. The pain and suffering after an accident can be overwhelming.
It’s also possible that an Uber or Lyft accident has resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one. In that case, filing a lawsuit against the rideshare company responsible might be the only way your family can heal. Regardless, pursuing litigation can be necessary for some victims of an Uber or Lyft accident.
The New Jersey car accident attorneys at Legal Care are dedicated to protecting victims’ rights. Our team can stand up to large rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
If Your Uber/Lyft Gets in an Accident in NJ, Our Attorneys Can Help
Our team can stand up to large rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft and work to get you the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call the New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Legal Care today at (732) 838-9769.
