Jefferson, NJ Lyft Accident Attorneys

Lyft is a tried and true go-to transportation option to get to Morristown, or Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, or to travel from Morrison to Jefferson, and it’s available by using a smartphone app. It only takes approximately 34 minutes via I-80 to reach Morristown. Jefferson Township is the northernmost township in Morris County, and as of the 2020 census, the population was 20,538.

The popularity of on-demand ridesharing companies has soared since their 2012 launch in San Francisco. They now have approximately 20.3 million active users each month and claim roughly a 29 percent share of the U.S. rideshare market.

Part of being on the road transporting passengers means a higher chance of a Lyft driver being involved in an accident on the way to or in Morristown, or Jefferson, resulting in passengers and others suffering serious injuries. If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, the Jefferson Lyft accident attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm are ready to help you receive compensation for your injuries.

How Do Lyft Accidents Occur in Jefferson?

Lyft is easy to use and a huge benefit for those who need a ride. Customers can open the Lyft application, determine where available vehicles are near them, and book a ride in seconds. The application provides the expected pickup time and driver information. Riders can also make payments within the Lyft app.

Jefferson’s residents use ridesharing apps like Lyft when they don’t want to drive or worry about parking in busy areas. Going downtown for shopping or dining, traveling to and from Newark Liberty International Airport, or visiting the Ford Mansion and Museum or the Frelinghuysen Arboretum are occasions in which Lyft might serve as an effective and efficient transportation option. 

Even though Lyft is convenient and reliable, there are situations in which rideshare vehicles are involved in accidents. For instance, an inattentive or careless Lyft driver may hit a pedestrian on the road or sideswipe another motor vehicle on the way to Fosterfields Living Historial Farm. Collisions can also happen when Lyft vehicles are maneuvering in bustling downtown areas like Headquarters Plaza.

Several major roads pass through Jefferson, including Green Pond Road (County Route 513), State Route 15, State Route 23, State Route 181, and Interstate 80). Route 181 is 7.47 miles and passes through Jefferson and Sparta. The highway features a tricky cloverleaf interchange with Route 15 and Espanong Road.  

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), 276,861 accidents have occurred relatively recently on New Jersey toll roads, municipal and county roads, and state and interstate highways. Of those collisions, 59,580 resulted in injuries, and 524 accidents reported fatalities. Property damage was caused by 216,487 accidents. Although not certain whether rideshare vehicles were involved in all crashes, it is safe to assume that some of the accidents may have involved a Lyft vehicle.

There were 10 counties in New Jersey that accounted for over 75 percent of all car crashes in New Jersey.

County Crashes

• Essex 30,287
• Bergen 29,722
• Middlesex 28,932
• Union 21,171
• Hudson 19,729
• Passaic 17,921
• Monmouth 17,507
• Ocean 14,986
• Camden 14,950
• Morris 14,690

What Causes Jefferson Lyft Accidents?

Driver negligence is one of the most common causes. While many rideshare vehicles may be involved in vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, they may also collide with fixed objects on the road, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Lyft drivers are expected and required to obey the rules of the road. This means being aware of where they are going, knowing the posted speed limits, checking routes carefully, and knowing where they are going to take their passengers. If Lyft drivers do not pay attention to the road, the rules, and where they are going, they put their passengers at risk. Driving while checking their app for their next pickup or glancing at their cellphones can be an accident when looking for a place to park.

Lyft drivers in New Jersey must meet several criteria, such as the minimum age requirement of 21 and a clean criminal background check, but there are no special certifications or qualifications required to become a Lyft driver. This means lack of experience or reckless driving behavior can cause Lyft accidents in Jefferson.

Negligent driving may include:

• Drunk driving: Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs exposes Lyft customers and others on the road to a possible crash.
• Distracted driving: Interacting with the Lyft application can take the driver’s attention away from the road. If they are using map navigation, responding to rider requests, or talking on a cellphone a driver’s attention is not on the road.
• Fatigued driving: Working long hours to make extra money can mean a fatigued driver behind the wheel. A drowsy driver can easily be involved in an accident.
• Not driving according to weather and road conditions: This puts Lyft passengers at risk of being involved in a crash.
• Speeding: recklessly speeding to drop off riders to go pick up more riders for another trip can put the lives of the Lyft passengers at stake.
• Tailgating: a Lyft driver who tailgates to hurry another driver up to get to their destination can be involved in a dangerous rear-end crash.

Lyft accidents are not the same as two or more other passenger vehicles crashing. They are confusing because of the different insurance policies involved. There is a different amount of insurance covering a Lyft driver depending on what period on the Lyft application that they are logged into.

The knowledgeable Jefferson Lyft accident attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm can investigate your crash and assess who is responsible for your injuries. The Todd J. Leonard Law Firm has a successful track record of helping clients obtain full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Injuries from Jefferson Lyft Accidents

It is imperative for anyone injured in a Jefferson Lyft accident to get medical attention as soon as possible. Even though you may feel ok, seeing a doctor ensures there is complete documentation of your injuries if you file a personal injury claim against a negligent Lyft driver. There is also the risk that if you do not seek medical assessment, an injury may manifest itself later, and there is no record of it being related to the accident.

Additionally, the earlier you seek treatment from a medical professional, you can ensure any underlying injuries are identified and treated properly. If the injuries sustained in a Jefferson Lyft accident are serious or life-threatening, first responders may take you to a hospital.

Lyft accident injuries may range from minor to serious and may include:

• Bruises and lacerations
• Whiplash
• Neck injuries
• Fractured limbs
• Broken ribs
• Internal bleeding
• Paralysis, partial or total
• Torn ligaments
• Amputations
• Decapitation
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Broken and/or fractured bones
• Torn ligaments
• Crush injuries
• Nerve damage
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Scarring, disfigurement

Treatment costs for serious injuries sustained in a Jefferson Lyft accident may run well over $100,000 or higher. Survivors with a TBI or SCI face even higher costs. Your injuries do not have to be catastrophic to recover compensation in the wake of a Jefferson Lyft accident. You can count on the Jefferson Lyft accident attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for skilled legal representation after a Lyft crash.

Lyft Insurance Coverage Requirements

In New Jersey, Lyft drivers are required to have certain mandated amounts of insurance coverage in case of an accident. Different insurance policies apply depending on the circumstances at the time of the Lyft accident.

• When a driver is offline and not using the Lyft app: The driver’s auto insurance policy applies. The accident is treated like any other car accident claim.
• When a driver is logged into the Lyft app and waiting for a ride request: Lyft maintains third-party liability insurance coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, as well as $25,000 per accident for property damage.
• When a Lyft driver accepts a ride or has a passenger in the vehicle: There is $1.5 million in combined bodily injury and property damage coverage, including uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist insurance. The insurance policy must cover all vehicle occupants, including the driver and passengers.

Jefferson Lyft accidents can get complicated very quickly with the different insurance policies involved. At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we figure out who is responsible for your injuries and damages. Our Jefferson Lyft accident attorneys help you understand how the coverage works and protect your right to pursue compensation.

Types of Compensation Available in a Jefferson Lyft Accident Claim

You may be wondering how much your case is worth. The compensation you may recover depends on a variety of things, such as the severity of your injuries and the amount of insurance coverage available depending on the time period on the Lyft app that the driver was in when the crash happened.

Damages recovered in your Jefferson Lyft accident claim should cover the full extent of your losses. When you are injured in a crash, seek medical attention right away. Your doctor can evaluate how serious your injuries are, and how long they are going to affect you. This helps your lawyer calculate the value of your claim.

A Jefferson Lyft accident can leave you unable to work for an indefinite amount of time. Damages should take into account a loss of income as well as future earning capacity. Some economic and non-economic damages available in a Jefferson Lyft accident include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Physical pain and emotional suffering

Calculating a dollar amount for the intangible effects of a crash is difficult as there is no formula to calculate such losses. Losses depend on the circumstances of the accident and the resulting injuries or death.

As a result, you must hire a Jefferson Lyft accident attorney who has broad experience handling ridesharing accidents. We know how to investigate your Lyft accident claim and manage all the available insurance policies.

Why You Need a Jefferson Lyft Accident Attorney

Lyft’s legal team may try to resolve your accident case as soon as possible with a quick settlement that barely covers the full extent of your losses. They are in business to make money, not pay it out in accident claims, and always try to lowball an accident survivor.

You are not obligated to take the first settlement offer they give you. When you have a reputable Jefferson Lyft accident attorney in your corner, your claim is taken seriously. Additionally, the Jefferson Lyft accident attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm also consider other expenses you may not have thought about, such as future surgical and rehabilitation costs.

The Jefferson Lyft accident attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm thoroughly examine the facts of your accident and determine who was at fault. Identifying fault and negligence is not always straightforward because sometimes multiple negligent drivers may be liable for a crash.

The Todd J. Leonard Law Firm Protects Your Rights After a Jefferson Lyft Accident

If you have been injured in a Jefferson Lyft accident, call the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for quality legal representation. Our intimate knowledge of New Jersey rideshare laws and breadth of experience in personal injury claims means that your case is in good hands.  

You are likely to have many questions after your Lyft accident. Our Jefferson Lyft accident attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and all avenues available for pursuing fair compensation. Take advantage of our free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Jefferson Lyft Accident Lawyers for Immediate Assistance

If you suffered a serious injury in a New Jersey Lyft or Uber accident or lost a loved one in an Uber or Lyft accident, the dedicated Jefferson Lyft accident attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm are here to help.

For more than 30 years, we have been helping clients who have been seriously injured in all types of accidents. We are a five-star rated law firm, recovering a total of more than $100 million on behalf of our clients. We always do our best to hold negligent drivers fully accountable for their actions and get you the justice you deserve.

We recognize the challenges you face as a result of a serious motor vehicle crash and are uniquely positioned to protect your rights and help you through the recovery process.

To learn more and to schedule a FREE consultation, give us a call today at 973-920-7900. You can also connect with us through our online form. There is never a fee unless we win your case. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.