person on their phone using lyft app as a driver

Nagel Rice LLP provides excellent legal representation for Lyft drivers injured in car accidents in New Jersey. Our 30-year history of successful personal injury verdicts has translated into our more recent record of positive outcomes in rideshare driver cases. If you are a Lyft driver in New Jersey who has suffered serious harm while on the job due to another’s negligence, contact us for a free consultation. We know how unfair rideshare companies have been in providing security to their drivers. You can depend on Nagel Rice’s superior Lyft driver accident attorneys to fight aggressively to defend your rights.

From our offices in Manhattan and Roseland, our experienced car accident attorneys are ready to level the playing field between you and the large corporation that favors its bottom line over your safety and well-being. Hopefully, the worst days of exploitation of rideshare drivers will soon be over since New Jersey courts are considering reclassifying them as employees rather than independent contractors. In any case, if you are injured while driving a Lyft vehicle, it is essential to have one of our knowledgeable, highly skilled ridesharing accident attorneys in your corner. 

We have the grit and ability to negotiate the best deal possible with the insurance companies involved. If your opponents are unreasonable, we have the powerful litigation tactics to win you appropriate damages in court. Moreover, Nagel Rice attorneys, sensitive to your precarious financial situation while out of work and faced with enormous medical bills, will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we win you the compensation you deserve.

Why You Are at Increased Risk of Personal Injury While Working as a Lyft Driver in an Accident

Once rideshare companies opened their doors, many of us wondered why the concept had not surfaced earlier. The convenience of this mode of transportation has several obvious advantages for both passengers and drivers. Even so, Lyft drivers are at higher risk of injury than most other drivers because they:

  • Drive longer hours, often covering hundreds of miles daily
  • May easily be distracted by the apps and GPS systems they must use while working
  • Are under pressure to earn while navigating unfamiliar, frequently congested roadways

Because on-the-clock driving is the only time reimbursed by their employers, Lyft drivers also take minimal breaks during the average work day (or night). This necessitates engaging in distracting actions while driving, including eating and making phone calls. For all of these reasons, having a fender bender is nearly inevitable for Lyft drivers, and having a serious collision is more likely. No matter how careful you are, you are surrounded by other drivers who may be incautious or even reckless, making it crucial to understand who will reimburse you if you suffer injuries on the job. 

The Principle of No-Fault in New Jersey

Because New Jersey is a no-fault state, you must first look to your own auto insurance company to pay for your medical expenses. It’s important to be aware that your personal insurance policy will have both caps and deductibles, meaning that the totality of your costs will not be paid. This is where Lyft has your back since they carry much more comprehensive insurance policies than you do. The catch is that their insurance will only cover you while you are “on the app,” and, even then, coverage amounts will vary according to the way they classify your work status at the time of the accident.

To be specific, Lyft insurance for their drivers works as follows:

  • As a Lyft driver, you are covered by rideshare insurance only when your rideshare app is on, meaning that you are seeking a passenger or transporting one. If you’re not at work when the accident occurs, you are left to your own devices — only your chosen personal insurance will be in effect. (This does not mean that our attorneys’ will not be able to help you.)
  • On the other hand, if you are on the app and available for a ride request, Lyft maintains the following auto insurance on your behalf:
    • $50,000 in bodily injury per person
    • $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
    • $25,000 in property damage per accident
  • If you are on your way to pick up a rider or already engaged in bringing your passenger to her/his destination, Lyft carries the following insurance for you:
    • $1,000,000 when another is responsible for your injury (third-party liability)
    • Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury (frequently applies in a hit-and-run)
    • Contingent comprehensive and collision up to the cash value of your car *
    • Lost income up to a capped amount    

*With a $1,000 deductible

When $1 Million Isn’t Enough

The $1 million policy Lyft carries for its drivers may seem like an enormous amount of money. However, if you suffer a severe or catastrophic injury for which you require long-term care, $1 million may only cover you for a few years. Your round-the-clock care, even if it is required temporarily, combined with your loss of income, can deplete the resources of most individuals or families very quickly. For too many families, uncovered medical costs mean bankruptcy or complete economic devastation. That’s why Nagel Rice is committed to helping you receive the maximum benefits you’re entitled to.

Whether or not you were driving for Lyft at the time of your catastrophic injury — e.g. a severe burn, or an amputation, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), or a spinal cord injury — you can depend on us. We know exactly which strategies to use to hold the reckless driver (or negligent car manufacturer or road maintenance agency) accountable for your injury. 

Nagel Rice Fights Vigorously to Obtain Damages for a Lyft Driver Accident

Even if you have a far less devastating injury, you may be out of work for some time and frightened about your financial stability. You may also be worried about who will pay for your ongoing pain and suffering. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, we may be able to win you damages to cover not only medical costs in full, but lost income, present and future, and compensation for:

  • Physical pain
  • Emotional trauma
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

If the defendant’s misconduct has been especially heinous, our adept Lyft driver attorneys may also be able to win you punitive damages.

Contact Our New Jersey Lyft Driver Accident Attorneys For a Free Consultation

Once we take your case, we will work tirelessly for you — investigating your accident site, examining all police and medical records, and interviewing witnesses. We will also, as necessary, consult with experts in related fields who may be able to shed light on your case and testify on your behalf. Your primary focus should be on recovering. We will handle all legal and insurance matters while providing you with moral and legal support as we see you and your family through to a brighter future. Contact our office today to get started on your case.

Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients with their car accident and injury claims throughout New Jersey, including Roseland, Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County. We also represent clients in New York.