The Rights of a Third-Party In A Ridesharing Accident

Rideshare Accidents Third Party Rights

Along with the convenience and popularity of ridesharing services comes the pain of an increasing number of third-party ridesharing accidents. If you have been seriously injured by a negligent rideshare driver in New Jersey while driving or riding as a passenger in another vehicle or as a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist, the skilled rideshare accident attorneys at Nagel Rice LLP will provide you with excellent legal representation.

Our legal team has been successfully handling ridesharing accidents from the time rideshares first appeared on the scene. We have a track record of winning appropriate compensation for our clients and a well-earned reputation for personal integrity as well as sharp litigation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin gathering the necessary information and formulating an effective strategy to obtain the damages you deserve.

What does “third-party” mean in terms of ridesharing accidents?

In third-party rideshare claims, the first party is the Uber or Lyft driver and the second party is the insurance company of the driver and/or the rideshare company. The third party is the person who was injured by the rideshare driver but was not a passenger in the rideshare vehicle. In New Jersey, Uber and Lyft drivers and the companies they work for can, depending on the circumstances, be held liable for third-party injuries.

Liability issues in ridesharing accidents are often complicated, which makes it essential for you to have an experienced ridesharing accident attorney in your corner to sort things out. The question of whether you can sue the rideshare company (which typically has much deeper pockets than the driver) depends on whether the rideshare driver was “on the app,” i.e. waiting to be paged or picking up/delivering a passenger. In such cases, the company also bears liability.

How Rideshare Company Insurance Works 

If the driver isn’t logged into the app and waiting to receive rides at the time of the accident, only the driver’s own personal insurance is available to compensate victims. If the driver is logged in and waiting to receive rides, the rideshare company’s insurance must cover $50,000 worth of injury per person. 

If the rideshare driver is en route to pick up a passenger or in the process of bringing that passenger to a destination, under New Jersey law, the company’s insurance must cover $1,500,000 worth of personal injury — higher than their usual $1 million limits. 

Further Complications in Ridesharing Accidents

There can also be further complexities to contend with in ridesharing accidents, including:

  • Involvement of a third vehicle in the collision 
  • Deep pothole or broken traffic signal that contributed to the accident
  • A manufacturing defect in the car that caused the injury

In any case, the rideshare accident lawyers at Nagel Rice are extremely capable and will handle any contingencies.

Why Rideshare Drivers May Present Greater Risks to a Third-Party

In order for rideshare work to be profitable, rideshare drivers have to hustle, so they are typically driving more quickly than other drivers in order to fit as many customers into their working day as possible. In addition:

  • Rideshare drivers use apps and GPS constantly and may be unusually distracted
  • Rideshare drivers tend to work very long hours and often work 2 or more jobs
  • Rideshare drivers are vetted rather superficially (e.g. no fingerprinting)
  • Rideshare drivers can be hired with only one year of driving experience
  • Rideshare drivers are not specially trained by their companies
  • Rideshare drivers are not drug tested on a regular basis

Cumulatively, these factors make rideshare drivers more apt to be fatigued, distracted, or inexperienced than other drivers. 

Services Nagel Rice Ridesharing Accident Attorneys Provide

Our rideshare accident attorneys will investigate your claim thoroughly by:

  • Examining the police report
  • Photographing the accident site 
  • Checking any traffic camera footage
  • Interviewing witnesses
  • Examining your medical records 
  • Consulting with experts (e.g. medical, mechanical) 
  • Checking the history of the rideshare driver and the company

Most of all, we will lift the burden of stressful communications with opposing attorneys and insurance companies from your shoulders. We are well aware of the physical, emotional, and financial trauma you have suffered. Our goal is to fight aggressively for your rights while you rest and recover.

Damages We Will Fight to Win for You and Your Family

We know all too well how unsettling a rideshare accident with injuries can be, not only for you but for those you love. This is why our ridesharing accident attorneys are fully committed to fighting vigorously for the compensation you are entitled to for:

  • Medical and rehabilitation costs
  • Lost income, present and future
  • Property damage or loss
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability
  • Extended nursing care
  • Permanent scarring or another disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Wrongful death damages (final medical/funeral costs, loss of financial/emotional support)

We will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the substantial damages you deserve. Moreover, we will not charge you any attorneys’ fees until we recover damages.

Contact Our Experienced Ridesharing Accident Attorneys Now

At this challenging time, healing should be your top priority. Don’t spend time worrying about how you will manage financially with high medical bills and an uncertain future. Contact us now so we can fight to ensure that your family has the resources you need to maintain stability and comfort.