Available Coverage Available for Rideshare Drivers and Their Passengers When you spend as much time on the road as an Uber or Lyft driver, it’s not surprising that accidents sometimes happen. Current New Jersey law protects the Uber and Lyft drivers as well as their passengers. A transportation network company driver who is in the course of a ride must be provided with insurance for medical payments benefits of $10,000.   With the skyrocketing cost of medical care, that really isn’t all that much protection. Luckily for Uber and Lyft drivers, they may avail themselves of the same level of uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage as their passengers.  New Jersey law requires rideshare companies to maintain underinsured (UIM)…

Every day, more and more people are using rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. At the same time, more and more people who are looking to make some extra money are becoming Uber and Lyft drivers. It isn’t always easy work. Some of these well-meaning drivers may not be familiar with all the roadways where you want to go; accidents sometimes result. The attorneys at CourtLaw are experienced in handling rideshare accident cases like yours. Learn more below. Uber and Lyft drivers aren’t always at fault. You might be a passenger in a rideshare vehicle when the driver of another car causes an accident. If you sustained serious injuries and the other driver has limited insurance coverage, all is not lost by…

Liability for Accidents Caused by a Rideshare Driver If you are injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, who should be named as defendants in your case? The answer depends on who was responsible in the accident. The negligent driver is liable for damages and New Jersey law requires that rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber carry liability insurance of $1.5 million. If the Uber or Lyft driver caused the accident, the injury victim would file a lawsuit against the Uber or Lyft driver. However, because the injured drivers or pedestrians may not know the exact cause of the accident, the injured party will probably name all potential defendants in the case, including the rideshare company, itself. Through the “discovery”…

Technological advancements have increased people’s ability to offer services themselves rather than becoming an employee of a company. As a result, companies who facilitate these transactions, like Uber and Lyft, have exploded. While the results of such efforts have been mainly positive, issues can arise when car accidents occur during an Uber or Lyft ride. The Complexity of Uber and Lyft Accidents in New Jersey What happens when you’re in an Uber or Lyft accident? Understand that different laws apply when you’re a passenger in a taxi versus when you’re using a ride-sharing service like Uber. Here’s an overview of what the Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act, which is in effect in New Jersey: Rideshare companies must carry…

We have done several blogs about the so-called verbal threshold.  This is a defense to personal injury lawsuits where the injured person is may only recover money damages for the most serious injuries.  It is more beneficial to a person injured in a motor vehicle accident if the verbal threshold does not apply to her or his case.  What if you’re a Lyft or Uber driver and you’re involved in an accident?  Does the verbal threshold apply? The attorneys at CourtLaw argue that it does not. The governing New Jersey law states that the verbal threshold defense “shall not be . . . asserted against any party not receiving personal injury protection benefits in any action for damages arising from…