The convenience of rideshare Apps like Lyft has led to a huge increase in its use all over New Jersey. Unfortunately, as the popularity rises, so does the likelihood of mishaps with Lyft vehicles. If you or a family member gets injured in a Lyft-related incident, you have the right to pursue an injury claim. Unlike standard car accident cases, Lyft accident claims require the legal knowledge of a New Jersey Lyft accident attorney to safeguard your rights and interests effectively.
At Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., we’ve got a team of lawyers who are experts in personal injury law with a solid history of success. We will assist you in holding negligent parties accountable for their actions and securing the compensation you deserve. We offer a free consultation, so get in touch today to find out how we can assist you.
The moments after a Lyft accident are often characterized by confusion due to the accident shock. However, we advise car crash victims to remain calm and take steps that can help protect their legal rights. Your actions in these initial moments have a great impact on your ability to seek compensation for the injuries you sustained.
Before anything else, make sure you are safe. If you’re in a dangerous location, move to a safer area if possible. Check for injuries to yourself or other people involved in the crash and call emergency services if needed.
Immediately call the police and notify them about the accident if the crash caused death, injury, or over $500 in property damages. They will compile an accident report, which is key documentation to support your case. Additionally, if you are the driver or passenger, you can report the incident to Lyft through their app to ensure the company is aware of the accident.
Seeking medical care right after the accident shows that you took your health seriously. If you delay treatment, it can give insurance companies or opposing parties a reason to argue that your injuries are not as severe as claimed or were unrelated to the crash.
Also, prompt medical attention ensures that injuries are properly diagnosed and treated. Without immediate care, some injuries could worsen or result in chronic suffering and other long-term health issues, making recovery more difficult and costly.
Gather details from all parties involved in the accident, including the Lyft driver, other drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Make sure to get names, contact information, and insurance details.
Take photos or videos, capturing vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions, and other pertinent details that could corroborate your version of events. These can serve as critical evidence in your case.
You need to engage an attorney immediately after being involved in a Lyft accident. Before speaking with insurance companies, a New Jersey Lyft accident attorney can advise you on what to say to protect your rights.
Rideshare accidents introduce a complex layer of insurance coverage, which differs from standard car accidents. Lyft provides specific insurance coverage that applies based on the state of the driver at the time of the accident. Understanding this structure is crucial in determining who is responsible for compensating your losses.
If the Lyft driver has not logged into the app and is driving for personal use, their personal auto insurance kicks in to cover damages in the event of an accident. In such cases, Lyft’s insurance does not apply.
When the driver logs into the Lyft app but has not yet accepted a ride or is headed to a destination to pick up someone, Lyft’s contingent liability coverage kicks in. This coverage offers up to $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 per crash for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
Once the driver accepts a request and is either on the way to pick up the passenger or transporting them, Lyft provides its primary insurance coverage. This involves $1 million in liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This is the most significant layer of protection for passengers and others involved in the accident.
It is not easy to navigate these various layers of coverage following a crash. An attorney can help determine which insurance policies apply to your case and how to maximize your compensation.
Liability in a Lyft accident can fall on multiple parties according to the unique circumstances of the collision. Identifying the responsible parties is the basis for ensuring fair compensation.
In many cases, the Lyft driver may be at fault due to negligence, such as failing to follow traffic laws. If the driver is responsible, their insurance or Lyft’s insurance will likely cover damages.
If another motorist caused the accident, they would typically be held liable. In this situation, their auto insurance policy would be the primary source of compensation for any injured parties.
In rare cases, Lyft itself may be liable for the accident, particularly if the company failed to adequately vet its drivers or maintain proper safety standards. However, proving corporate liability can be challenging without solid evidence of negligence on Lyft’s part.
If a mechanical defect in the Lyft vehicle or another vehicle involved in the crash was responsible for the accident, the car manufacturer or maintenance provider could be held liable. Your lawyer will look into the facts of the accident to determine liability.
New Jersey adopts a modified comparative fault approach so that more than one party can share responsibility for an accident. In such cases, each party’s degree of fault is calculated as a percentage, which impacts how much compensation they can receive.
An attorney will begin by investigating the accident keenly, referring to police reports, witness statements, and any available video footage to gather evidence. Accident reconstruction experts may also be involved in determining how the crash occurred.
Negligence must be proven to establish fault. This requires showing that a party acted carelessly or breached a duty of care, directly causing the accident and resulting in injuries. In the case of a Lyft driver, this could include ignoring traffic signals, speeding, etc.
Under New Jersey’s modified comparative fault rule, if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be adjusted according to the level your actions contributed to the crash. For example, if you were found 35% at fault, your recovery would reduce 35%. If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages.
It is advisable to work with a Lyft accident attorney in New Jersey who can help ensure that fault is accurately determined and that you receive fair compensation.
Building a strong legal case after a Lyft accident requires thorough evidence collection. The more evidence you put together, the stronger your claim will be when seeking compensation for your injuries and damages. Here are the sources of evidence after a Lyft accident in NJ:
Car accident lawyers in New Jersey have the resources necessary for conducting a detailed investigation to gather crucial evidence. It is not uncommon for attorneys handling complex cases such as rideshare accident claims to seek expert testimony, which is vital for building a strong case.
If you’ve been involved in a Lyft accident in New Jersey, the challenges of insurance coverage, liability, and seeking compensation can quickly become overwhelming. At Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., our team will dedicate time and effort to investigate the details of your accident, identify the at-fault parties, and fight for fair restitution. Whether you’re a passenger, driver, or third party involved in a Lyft accident, we have the skill and experience to provide the legal support you need.
Contact us today to request a free case review and we will stand in your corner to guide you through this challenging time.
Need Help? Contact us 24/7
Free ConsultationNew York & New Jersey Personal Injury & Litigation Lawyers
Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers by filling out the form below, or call us at (800) 616-2916
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partners, Jeffrey W. Varcadipane & Dawn M. Pinnisi, with more than 40 years of combined legal experience as personal injury attorneys.
February 12, 2025
If you're driving in Paramus, New Jersey, you may wonder what responsibilities you have when sharing the road with cyclists. A motorist should know that a bicyclist operating on a roadway must follow...
February 12, 2025
If you are a passenger in an auto accident, you may be wondering how much money a passenger in a car accident can get. Everything will be based on many factors. Factors include the severity of your i...
February 06, 2025
It’s a question we hear often, and for good reason: navigating the legal process can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to recover from an injury. At Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., we unde...
February 06, 2025
A car accident in Paramus, New Jersey, may lead to many questions, most importantly: Can I lose my house due to an at-fault car accident? The fear is valid when personal assets, including your home, ...