Morristown Lyft Accident Attorneys

Lyft provides a convenient transportation option to Morristown, New Jersey residents through a simple smartphone app. The on-demand ridesharing company has grown in popularity since it was launched in San Francisco in 2012. It now has a 29 percent share of the U.S. rideshare market, with around 20.3 million active users per month. 

When Lyft drivers are involved in accidents that occur in Morristown, passengers and others on the road can suffer serious injuries. If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, the Morristown 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 Morristown?

One of the main benefits of Lyft is its ease of use. A rider can simply open the Lyft app, view available vehicles near them and request a ride with a few taps. The app provides driver information and their expected time of arrival at the rider’s pick-up location. Payments are also made via the app.

Morristown is the county seat of Morris County and has both suburban and urban neighborhoods. The town’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 attending a concert at Mayo Performing Arts Center are just a few scenarios in which Lyft might serve as a handy transportation option. 

Lyft is not just used by Morristown residents. Known as the headquarters of the American Revolution, the town is home to significant historical sites such as Jockey Hollow and Fort Nonsense. Tourists may use the rideshare app to visit local attractions like the George Griswold Frelinghuysen Arboretum or Morristown National Historic Park. 

Although Lyft is convenient and reliable, there are many situations in which rideshare vehicles can be involved in accidents. For example, a reckless Lyft driver may strike a pedestrian while heading toward Morristown Green. Collisions can also happen when Lyft vehicles are trying to maneuver busy downtown areas like Headquarters Plaza.

Major roadways in Morristown include U.S. Route 202 and New Jersey Route 24 & 124. In 2020, Route 202 had a crash rate of 1.73, while Route 124 had a crash rate of 5.41.

What Causes Morristown Lyft Accidents?

Lyft accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons, but driver negligence is among the most common causes. Rideshare vehicles may collide with other cars, putting passengers at risk of injury. Lyft crashes can also involve pedestrians, bicyclists, and fixed objects on the road.

Just like other drivers, Lyft operators are required to observe the rules of the road. Rideshare drivers pick up and drop off customers across many different parts of Morristown. Traveling through unfamiliar areas means having to check navigation frequently and being at risk of committing traffic violations.

As Lyft drivers rely on the Lyft app to accept ride requests, they are often looking down at their smartphones. In 2020, about 25 people were injured in Morris County traffic accidents that involved cellphone use.

Anyone who wants to sign up to be a Lyft driver in New Jersey must meet several criteria, such as the minimum age requirement of 21 and a clean criminal background check. However, there are no special certifications or qualifications necessary to become a Lyft driver. As a result, a lack of experience or careless behavior on the driver’s part can cause Lyft accidents in Morristown. Negligent driving may include:

• Distracted driving: Using map navigation, responding to rider requests on the Lyft app, or talking on a smartphone can take a driver’s focus away from their surroundings.

• Fatigued driving: The more rides Lyft drivers accept, the more money they earn. Working long hours without any breaks can lead to drowsiness and a lack of alertness behind the wheel.

• Speeding: Rushing to drop off passengers to complete more rides can result in speeding or reckless driving that jeopardizes the safety of Lyft riders and others.

• Drunk driving: Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs exposes Lyft customers and others on the road to the risk of accidents.

What makes Lyft accidents complex is the different insurance policies involved. A knowledgeable Morristown Lyft Accident Attorney can investigate your crash and determine who is liable for your injuries. The Todd J. Leonard Law Firm has a successful track record of helping clients obtain the full and fair compensation they deserve.

Injuries from Morristown Lyft Accidents

Anyone who has been injured in a Morristown Lyft accident should get medical attention right away. Seeing a doctor will ensure there is documentation of your injuries if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent Lyft driver. Additionally, you can ensure any underlying injuries are detected and treated properly. In serious cases, first responders may take you to a hospital if you have sustained severe or life-threatening injuries. 

In 2020, there were 1,742 injury crashes reported in Morris County. Lyft accident injuries can range from minor to serious. They can include:

• Bruises and lacerations
• Whiplash
• Neck injuries
• Head trauma (e.g., traumatic brain injury or TBI)
• Spinal injuries
• Fractured limbs
• Broken ribs
• Internal bleeding

Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, passengers, and other drivers can all get injured in Morristown Lyft accidents. While some injuries heal after a period of recovery and rehabilitation, others can result in permanent disabilities that disrupt your everyday life. Your injuries, however, do not have to be catastrophic for you to recover compensation. You can count on the Morristown Lyft Accident Attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for skilled legal representation after a Lyft crash.

Lyft Insurance Coverage Requirements

Under New Jersey law, Lyft drivers in the state are required to have certain mandated amounts of insurance coverage in case of a crash. Different types of insurance policies apply depending on the circumstances at the time of the Lyft accident.

• When the driver is offline and not using the Lyft app: The driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies. The Lyft accident is treated like any other car accident claim.

• When the driver is logged into the Lyft app and awaiting 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 the Lyft driver accepts a ride request 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.

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

Compensation Available in a Morristown Lyft Accident Claim

If you were injured in a Morristown Lyft accident, you may be wondering how much your case is worth. The amount of compensation you may be able to recover depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your injuries and the amount of insurance coverage available.

The damages you recover in your Morristown Lyft accident claim should cover the full extent of your losses. Medical treatment can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially when a Lyft accident victim suffers serious injuries. When you are injured in a crash, it is imperative that you seek medical attention right away. Your doctor will evaluate the seriousness of your injuries and how long they are likely to affect you, which can help your lawyer calculate the value of your claim.

A Lyft accident can leave you unable to work for an indefinite amount of time. Any damages you recover should take into account your loss of income, as well as future earning capacity. Certain economic and non-economic damages available in a Morristown Lyft accident would include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

Along with physical pain, you can also recover damages for the emotional impact of a Lyft accident and the disruption it causes to your life. Putting a dollar amount to the intangible effects of a crash is difficult as there is no set formula to weigh such losses. As a result, it is critical that you hire a Morristown Lyft Accident Attorney who is experienced in handling ridesharing accidents.

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we will fight for our clients to ensure they receive maximum compensation for their injuries, so they can move forward with their lives after a debilitating Morristown Lyft accident. Because we have vast experience handling rideshare accident cases, we know how to investigate your Lyft accident claim and manage all the insurance policies that are available.

Why You Need a Morristown Lyft Accident Attorney

Lyft is a for-profit business, which means it has every reason to deny you compensation or limit the damages you recover after an accident. The company’s legal team may try to resolve your Lyft accident case with a quick settlement that barely covers the full extent of your losses.

You do not have to accept the first settlement offer they give you. When you have a reputable Morristown Lyft accident attorney in your corner, your claim is more likely to be taken seriously. Additionally, the lawyer will make sure to consider other crash-related expenses you may have overlooked, such as future rehabilitation costs or surgical procedures.

Your Morristown Lyft Accident Attorney will examine the details of your case and determine who was at fault for your crash. Identifying fault is not always a straightforward matter as sometimes multiple negligent drivers may be responsible for a crash. For example, a rear-end accident may involve more than one vehicle.

The Todd J. Leonard Law Firm will gather the evidence necessary to support your claim and establish the negligence that caused your Lyft accident. Your Morristown Lyft Accident Attorney will skillfully negotiate a settlement on your behalf. If the other parties refuse to provide a fair settlement offer, we are willing to take your Lyft accident case to trial. Your lawyer will represent you in court, ensuring your case gets a favorable resolution.

Deadline for Filing a Morristown Lyft Accident Claim

Morristown personal injury lawsuits must be filed within a certain timeframe, known as the statute of limitations. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for Lyft accident claims is two years from when the crash occurred. The personal injury attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm can help you file your claim before the deadline expires.

Todd J. Leonard Law Firm Will Protect Your Rights After a Morristown Lyft Accident

If you have been injured in a Morristown Lyft accident, you can turn to 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 will be in good hands.  You are likely to have many questions after your Lyft accident. Our Morristown Lyft Accident Attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and the avenues available for pursuing fair compensation. Take advantage of our free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Rideshare Car Accident Lawyers for Immediate Assistance!

If you suffered a serious injury in a New Jersey Lyft or Uber accident, or sadly, lost or a loved one in an Uber or Lyft accident, the dedicated Rideshare Accident Injury Lawyers 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 will do our best to hold the negligent driver 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.