When you’ve been hurt in a motor vehicle accident in New Jersey, one of your first steps it typically to look to insurance to cover your losses. But what if you were a passenger in a ride-share, such as Uber or Lyft? Until about a year ago, there was no requirement in New Jersey that such companies provide any coverage for paying passengers. In fact, it was practice by Uber, Lyft and other ride-share companies to obtain basic coverage on drivers only.
As of May 1, 2017, however, under a new law known as the Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act, such ride-share companies must now carry commercial insurance policies covering passenger injuries when the ride-share driver is at fault, or if the ride-share driver has inadequate coverage to compensate for all the passenger’s losses. The law requires a $1.5 coverage limit on such policies. Furthermore, if an Uber passenger is injured in an accident caused by another driver, a claim can be made against that driver’s insurance provider without the limits set up the New Jersey no-fault laws.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving a ride-share service, you still need to take steps to protect your rights:
- Gather as much information as you can from participants or witnesses, including name, address, phone number and other contact information
- Get pictures of everything, from your injuries to the damage to the vehicle to the roadway and weather conditions at the time
- Get the medical treatment you need as soon as possible
Contact Attorney Howard D. Popper
To learn your options when you have been injured because of the negligence or carelessness of another person, contact our office online or call attorney Popper at 973-993-8787. We have offices in Morristown and Newton, but will come to your home or the hospital, if necessary. There is no charge for your first consultation.
We handle all personal injury claims on a contingency basis. You won’t be charged any legal fees unless attorney Popper recovers compensation for your losses.