Lyft Accident Lawyers – Teterboro Airport

Lyft is a popular rideshare app that connects riders with a driver near their location to take them to their chosen destination. To use Lyft, you plug your destination into the app. Lyft then sends a pre-screened driver to your location. Lyft gives you the driver’s name, a recent photo and tells you the type of vehicle they will be driving. Once the driver arrives, you will confirm your destination and name with the driver. It is crucial that you verify that your Lyft driver is indeed the driver sent by Lyft before entering the vehicle.
 
The price of a Lyft ride depends on a few factors, such as the time of day and the distance you need to go. There is a base charge and additional charges per mile and minute. Rides during busy periods, such as on Friday and Saturday nights, are more expensive. Similarly, rides to popular destinations may also be more costly. In some cases, there are flat fees that apply to particular destinations.
 
Lyft is a popular choice for people to get to and from Teterboro Airport. Rather than rely on a friend or family member or take public transportation, passengers can call a personal car within a few minutes. Lyft is also often much faster than hailing a cab. However, taking a Lyft to Teterboro Airport is not without its risks and, if you are involved in a Lyft accident at the Teterboro Airport, things can get very complicated.
 
Lyft is a commercial carrier that pays drivers for providing rides to passengers. Lyft takes a cut out of each fare, and the driver keeps the rest. This relationship makes Lyft drivers independent contractors, meaning they are not considered employees, impacting your ability to sue Lyft after an accident. While rideshare companies have been present in New Jersey for years, it was not until recently that state lawmakers began to regulate the industry.
 
Rideshare Legislation Makes Lyft Safer for Travelers Going to and From Teterboro Airport
 
In 2017, former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, signed the Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act. The Act requires rideshare companies to provide coverage of at least $1.5 million for every official ride. The Act also mandates that all drivers submit to a criminal background check. New Jersey was the 36th state in the country to address regulations and standards for ride-sharing companies.
 
Even though a Lyft accident at Teterboro Airport may seem similar to accidents involving two privately owned vehicles, significant differences exist. The major distinction is that you may be able to file a claim against Lyft, the driver’s personal insurance policy, or another at-fault driver’s insurance coverage. While these options increase how you can recover compensation after an accident, they also complicate the recovery process.
 
Lyft Insurance Requirements
 
State law requires Lyft to purchase a certain amount of insurance on behalf of its drivers. However, the specific amount of insurance available depends on the stage in the rideshare process. For example, when a Lyft driver accepts a passenger, Lyft must provide a commercial car insurance policy with at least $1.5 million in liability coverage for death, bodily injury and property damage. It must also provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in the amount of at least $1.5 million, which covers all occupants of the vehicle. This coverage applies if another motorist causes an accident and does not have any insurance (UM) or sufficient insurance (UIM). This coverage extends from the moment the Lyft driver accepts a ride to when they drop off the passenger.
 
If you are in a car accident in New Jersey and have selected the “limitation on lawsuit option” for your car insurance coverage, you will need to prove that you sustained a permanent injury, even if the other driver was at fault. However, if you are injured in an accident caused by a Lyft driver, whether you are a driver or passenger of the other vehicle or a passenger of a Lyft vehicle, the limitation on lawsuit option does not apply, and you will not need to prove you have sustained a permanent injury.
 
As written in the statute, it states:
 
The limitation on lawsuit option set forth in subsection a. of section 8 of P.L.1972, c.70 (C.39:6A-8) shall not be assertable by a transportation network company or a transportation network company driver in any action for damages arising from a prearranged ride or be asserted against any party not receiving personal injury protection benefits in any action for damages arising from a prearranged ride.
 
What About When a Driver Is Not on a Prearranged Ride?
 
When not providing a prearranged ride, Lyft must maintain liability insurance of at least $50,000 for death or bodily injury per person, $100,000 for death or bodily injury per incident, and $25,000 for property damage. These insurance limits are significantly less than the policy available for Lyft customers and those injured while the Lyft driver is in the process of an official ride. Thus, in this situation, you may need to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance policy or your own policy.
 
If a Lyft driver causes an accident while the Lyft app is not open or when they are not accepting rides, Lyft’s insurance policy will not cover the accident. This means you would have to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance policy.
 

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer With Experience Handling Lyft Accidents Now

 
If you have been injured in a Lyft accident at Teterboro Airport, the best person to help guide you through your claim and to determine the facts of your case is an experienced Lyft Accident Attorney at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm. We can answer your questions and properly advise you on the most effective way to pursue your claim. 
 
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 will do our best to hold the negligent party (or parties) 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 help you through the recovery process of your spinal cord injury. 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 no risk in calling because we never charge a fee unless we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.