Morris Township Lyft Accident Attorneys

Lyft is a simple smartphone app that offers on-demand ridesharing. First launched in San Francisco in 2012, it has expanded to claim 29 percent of the US rideshare market, serving over 20 million active users each month. Many Lyft users live or work in Morris Township. 

When Lyft drivers are involved in Morris Township car accidents, the driver is not the only one who can be injured. Lyft passengers, as well as pedestrians and other motorists, can suffer serious injuries. Speak to an experienced Morris Township Lyft accident attorney, like the team at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, to protect your legal rights and seek compensation after a Lyft accident. 

How Lyft Accidents Occur in Morris Township

Lyft offers a simple way for riders to travel. Users open the Lyft app, check for available rides in their area, and request a ride. Driver information and expected arrival time are displayed in the app, allowing the rider to identify their ride when it arrives. Payments are also handled via the app. 

As the “donut” surrounding Morristown and home to many New York City-area commuters, Morris Township has many residents who appreciate the convenience of Lyft when they don’t want to drive or navigate crowded parking areas in busy areas. Popular uses of Lyft include traveling into Morristown’s downtown area for shopping or dining, traveling to and from Newark Liberty International Airport, or attending events at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. 

Lyft is also a popular transportation choice for Morris Township’s many visitors. Tourists checking out historical sites or parks in Morristown and throughout the township may also rely on Lyft instead of attempting to navigate roads that are unfamiliar to them. 

Common Causes of Morris Township Lyft Accidents

Like any auto accident, a Lyft accident can stem from a number of causes. Often, driver negligence results in rideshare accidents. A Lyft vehicle can collide with other vehicles, fixed objects like guardrails or posts, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other hazards on the road. When a collision occurs, serious injuries may occur as well. 

The Lyft app assists drivers by displaying route information. Checking this information adds a level of distraction for Lyft drivers, however, as does the need to navigate unfamiliar areas at times. Traffic violations and accidents may occur. 

Lyft holds its drivers to certain standards. To become a Lyft driver in New Jersey, a person must be at least 21 years of age. The prospective driver must also pass a criminal background check and hold a valid driver’s license. 

Lyft does not, however, impose any additional training or qualification requirements on its drivers. A Lyft driver may have the same lack of experience or careless habits as any other New Jersey driver – which can put the driver and their passengers at risk of an accident. 

Common types of negligent driving that result in Morris Township Lyft accidents include:

• Distracted driving: About 25 people suffered injuries in Morris County in 2020 as a result of smartphone use while driving. Using Lyft’s map navigation, responding to rider requests, and other types of smartphone use can distract a driver from their surroundings, causing a crash. 
• Drowsy driving: Lyft’s per-ride payment system incentivizes drivers to work long hours. The longer a Lyft driver is on the road, however, the more fatigued they become. Fatigue slows reaction times, increasing the risk of an accident. 
• Drunk driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases the risk of a serious accident. Lyft drivers are not immune to these effects. 
• Speeding: Because Lyft pays by the ride, it also incentivizes drivers to move quickly to complete rides and move on to the next customer. Drivers may respond to this incentive by speeding, which can increase both the likelihood and the severity of a crash. 

When a Lyft accident occurs, navigating the claim can be tough. Several insurance policies may be involved: the injured person’s insurance, the Lyft driver’s insurance, the insurance of others involved in the crash, and coverage provided by Lyft itself. A knowledgeable Morris Township Lyft accident lawyer can navigate these competing policies and pursue the compensation you need. 

Types of Common Injuries in Morris Township Lyft Accidents

If you’re injured in a Morris Township Lyft accident, see a local doctor right away. A doctor can examine you, document the full extent of your injuries, and prescribe the appropriate medical treatment for your injuries. 

Over 1,700 car accident injuries were recorded in Morris County in 2020. These injuries, which may include Lyft accidents, can range from minor to life-threatening harm. Common injuries may include the following:

• Head, neck, and back injuries,
• Brain and spinal cord injuries,
• Bruises and lacerations,
• Whiplash, also known as neck sprain,
• Broken bones, 
• Internal bleeding or organ damage,
• Scarring and disfigurement, including amputations.

Psychological injuries, like post-traumatic stress symptoms, may also occur and require treatment. 

Some injuries heal completely after a crash. Others cause lifelong pain, mobility issues, disfigurement, and other permanent, life-changing disabilities. A full and fair compensation amount addresses both your existing medical costs and the likely future costs of care. 

Lyft Insurance Coverage Requirements

New Jersey requires vehicle drivers to have certain minimum amounts and types of insurance coverage. In addition, Lyft offers coverage for accidents that occur during Lyft rides. Lyft’s coverage, however, varies depending on what is happening when the crash occurs.

• A Lyft driver who is offline and not using the Lyft app is covered only by their personal insurance policy.
• A Lyft driver who is logged into Lyft and waiting for a ride request is covered by Lyft’s third-party liability insurance coverage. This coverage pays at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. 
• A Lyft driver who has accepted a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle is covered by Lyft’s combined $1.5 million in bodily injury and property damage coverage, including uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. The $1.5 million cap covers everyone in the vehicle – driver and passengers. 

It’s easy to believe that more insurance coverage means more protection. Unfortunately, it can also mean more delays in processing your claim as insurance companies fight to pass the bill to one another. An experienced attorney can help you navigate this struggle and get the compensation you need. 

Compensation After Injuries Sustained From a Morris Township Lyft Accident

Compensation after an auto accident seeks to meet an injured person’s current and future needs based on the losses that person has suffered. Common categories of compensation for a Morris Township Lyft accident injury include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Medical Expenses: Medical treatment after a car accident can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially when injuries are life-threatening. Injuries that require one or more surgeries to treat can also be costly. 

Lyft accident compensation for medical expenses should address both the medical costs you’ve already incurred and the costs of any future medical care you’ll need. For injuries that cause permanent disabilities, the need for medical care may be lifelong. A full and fair compensation award for your medical costs will account for this lifelong need.

Lost Wages: Even a mild concussion may keep you out of work for several days, as your brain recovers from the damage. More serious injuries may require more time away from work. In the most severe cases, an injured person may be prevented from ever working again. Compensation for lost wages should address both the wages you’ve already lost from missed work and wages you could have earned in the future if your injuries hadn’t prevented you from working. 

Pain and Suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering addresses the physical pain and suffering caused by your injuries. It also addresses mental anguish and distress from facing your future after the crash – everything from experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms like flashbacks, insomnia, or nightmares to anxiety, depression, and other emotional upheaval. These experiences cost you health and wellness as well, and they deserve compensation. 

New Jersey’s statute of limitations requires personal injury claims to be filed in court within two years of the date of the accident. If you don’t file your claim in time, you miss the opportunity to seek compensation in a lawsuit. 

Speak to a dedicated Morris Township Lyft accident attorney today. Even if you suspect the deadline for your claim has passed, an attorney can calculate the exact deadline and provide guidance on your options for compensation. 

Speak With With A Morris Township Lyft Accident Attorney Today!

If you’re like many Morris Township residents or visitors, you likely chose Lyft because it seemed like a safe, convenient alternative to other forms of transportation. A serious accident can turn these expectations—and your life—upside down. 

If you’ve been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident anywhere in Morris County, talk to the dedicated rideshare accident injury lawyers at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm. To learn more, and to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation, call us today at 973-920-7900 or use our online form.