If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Clifton, you need an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Clifton who understands Uber and Lyft claims. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has served Passaic County residents for over 50 years, recovering more than $535 million for injured victims. Our Clifton office at 481 Highland Ave. stands ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today at (973) 364-8300 for your free consultation.
Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Rideshare Accident Case
Our attorneys hold certifications from the New Jersey Supreme Court recognizing experience in civil trial advocacy. Edward P. Capozzi and Alex S. Capozzi are both Certified Civil Trial Attorneys, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of New Jersey lawyers. This certification requires demonstrated trial experience, continuing legal education, and peer recognition of trial competence. When you hire Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, you hire attorneys with proven courtroom skills.
Our Lawyers
Edward P. Capozzi has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2012 and was named to Best Lawyers in America 2026. He served as the 59th President of the New Jersey Association for Justice and was inducted into the New Jersey Law Journal Hall of Fame in 2014. These recognitions reflect decades of excellence in personal injury litigation. Learn more about Edward P. Capozzi’s background and experience.
Alex S. Capozzi earned Super Lawyers Rising Star status and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2026 recognition. He was named one of the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, recognizing him as among the nation’s finest young trial attorneys. His 2024 jury verdict of $2.75 million ranked 13th highest in New Jersey that year. View Alex S. Capozzi’s attorney profile to learn more about his accomplishments.
Proven Results
Our case results demonstrate our ability to recover substantial compensation for injured clients. Our lawyers have recovered $21.8 million for a child struck by a commercial vehicle who suffered catastrophic traumatic brain injury. We obtained $7.225 million for a woman injured in a motor vehicle collision and $5.35 million for a pedestrian struck by a tractor-trailer. We secured $3.55 million for a woman injured when her car struck a guardrail. View our complete case results and settlements to see how we’ve recovered over $535 million for injured clients.
These results reflect our firm’s commitment to pursuing maximum compensation. Our attorneys have recovered more than $535 million throughout our 58-year history. We are lifetime members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognitions reserved for attorneys who have won or settled cases exceeding one million dollars.
Local Clifton Presence
Our office at 481 Highland Ave in Clifton puts experienced legal representation within your community. We serve Passaic County and surrounding areas with 10 office locations across New Jersey. Our local presence means we understand Clifton’s roads, traffic patterns, and local issues affecting accident cases. We are accessible to you, with convenient office hours and responsive communication.
No Upfront Costs
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front, and we only collect a fee if we win your case through settlement or verdict. This arrangement removes financial barriers to legal representation and aligns our interests with yours—we succeed only when you receive compensation.
24/7 Availability
Serious accidents don’t happen during business hours. We maintain 24/7 availability to respond to client needs. When you call (973) 364-8300, you reach experienced attorneys ready to help, regardless of the time or day.
Comprehensive Expertise
We handle all aspects of your case from initial investigation through trial. You don’t need to coordinate with multiple attorneys or firms. Our team manages investigation, negotiation, expert consultation, and litigation. This comprehensive approach ensures consistency, efficiency, and maximum focus on your case.
Why Rideshare Accidents in Clifton Need Experienced Legal Help
Rideshare accidents present legal challenges that differ from standard car accidents in Clifton, New Jersey. When you’re injured in an Uber or Lyft vehicle in Clifton, you face a complex web of insurance policies, independent contractor relationships, and state regulations. Our Clifton personal injury lawyers understand these unique challenges and fight aggressively for your rights.
New Jersey’s Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act of 2017 created a specific legal framework for rideshare operations. This law establishes insurance requirements and liability standards for companies like Uber and Lyft. However, rideshare companies frequently exploit ambiguities in these regulations to deny liability or minimize compensation to injured passengers.
Additionally, rideshare companies classify drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. This classification allows companies to distance themselves from driver negligence and avoid direct liability. Proving that a rideshare company bears responsibility for your injuries requires knowledge of contractor liability, negligent hiring practices, and company safety standards. Our motor vehicle accident lawyers have extensive experience holding rideshare companies accountable.
The insurance coverage system for rideshare accidents operates differently from traditional auto insurance. Rideshare drivers maintain personal auto policies, but these policies typically exclude coverage for commercial rideshare activities. This creates gaps in coverage that leave injured passengers vulnerable. Insurance companies use these gaps strategically, arguing that no coverage applies to your accident. Without an attorney who understands these tactics, you may accept a settlement far below what your case is worth.
The statute of limitations in New Jersey gives you only two years to file a bodily injury claim. This deadline approaches quickly, and waiting weakens your case as evidence disappears and witnesses’ memories fade. An experienced rideshare accident attorney acts immediately to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong claim before critical information is lost.
Key differences in rideshare accident claims:
- Independent contractor status creates liability confusion between the driver and the company
- Multiple insurance policies (Period 0, 1, 2, 3) with different coverage limits and requirements
- Rideshare companies often deny initial liability claims, requiring aggressive negotiation
- Statute of limitations: 2 years for bodily injury claims in New Jersey
- Requires understanding of both state regulations and federal transportation network company standards
- Insurance companies employ tactics to minimize payouts to rideshare accident victims
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage in New Jersey
New Jersey’s rideshare insurance system operates through four distinct periods, each with different coverage levels. Understanding which period applied when your accident occurred determines available compensation. This is why consulting with an Uber accident lawyer in Clifton is critical to your case.
- Period 0 occurs when a rideshare driver is offline and not actively using the app. During this period, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. If the driver caused your accident while offline, you would pursue a claim against their personal policy. However, many personal auto policies exclude coverage for rideshare activities, creating potential coverage gaps.
- Period 1 begins when a driver logs into the rideshare app and actively seeks rides but has not yet accepted a passenger. During this period, rideshare companies provide limited coverage. New Jersey law requires $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage during Period 1. This coverage is significantly lower than the protection available during active rides.
- Period 2 starts the moment a driver accepts a ride through the app. Coverage increases substantially during this period. Rideshare companies must maintain $1 million in combined single-limit liability coverage during Period 2. This higher coverage reflects the increased risk when a passenger is in the vehicle.
- Period 3 applies when the driver is actively transporting a passenger. Coverage remains at the $1 million level established in Period 2. This is the period when most passenger injuries occur, and the $1 million coverage limit applies to your claim. Understanding these coverage periods is crucial when pursuing lost wages claims and other damages.
Beyond these primary liability limits, rideshare companies typically carry umbrella policies providing additional coverage. These umbrella policies can extend coverage to $1.5 million or higher, depending on the company’s insurance arrangements. Identifying all available coverage sources maximizes your compensation.
Insurance and Third-Party Claims
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage also applies to rideshare accidents in New Jersey. PIP covers your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault, up to your policy limits. However, the hierarchy of PIP coverage can be complex when multiple insurance policies are involved. An experienced attorney ensures you receive all available PIP benefits while pursuing your liability claim.
Distinguishing between passenger claims and third-party claims is also critical. If you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle, you would pursue a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance. If you were struck by a rideshare vehicle while walking or driving, you pursue a third-party claim. The legal theories and available damages differ between these claim types, requiring different litigation strategies. Pedestrian accident victims often face unique challenges in rideshare collision cases.
Common Injuries from Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents frequently result in a wide range of serious injuries because passengers often lack warning before impact and cannot brace themselves. The confined space of a vehicle concentrates forces on occupants, leading to severe trauma.
- Whiplash and neck injuries occur when sudden acceleration or deceleration causes the head and neck to move violently. Even accidents at moderate speeds can cause whiplash, resulting in chronic pain, reduced mobility, and long-term medical treatment. These head and neck injuries require immediate medical attention and proper documentation.
- Broken bones and fractures are common in rideshare accidents. Passengers may strike the vehicle’s interior, other passengers, or be crushed between seats and doors. Fractures require surgery, physical therapy, and extended recovery periods. Some fractures result in permanent disability or chronic pain.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the head strikes a hard surface or experiences violent movement. TBI ranges from mild concussions to severe brain damage affecting cognitive function, memory, personality, and physical abilities. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers recovered $21.8 million for a child who suffered a catastrophic traumatic brain injury in a commercial vehicle accident, demonstrating our firm’s experience in handling the most severe cases.
- Spinal cord damage can result in partial or complete paralysis. Spinal injuries often require emergency surgery and lifelong medical care. The financial and personal costs of spinal cord injury are enormous, including wheelchair accessibility modifications, ongoing medical treatment, and lost earning capacity. Our spinal cord injury attorneys have recovered millions for clients facing these devastating injuries. We also handle catastrophic injury cases involving permanent disability.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage may not be immediately apparent after an accident. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and require emergency surgery. Even survivors of internal injuries often face long-term complications and reduced quality of life.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects many rideshare accident survivors. The psychological trauma of a serious accident can result in anxiety, depression, nightmares, and avoidance of vehicles. PTSD is a legitimate injury with real damages that courts recognize and compensate.
- Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains, may seem minor initially but often develop into chronic pain conditions. Whiplash-associated disorders can persist for years, affecting your ability to work and enjoy life.
The long-term consequences of rideshare accident injuries extend far beyond immediate medical bills. Chronic pain, reduced mobility, cognitive impairment, and psychological trauma affect your quality of life indefinitely. Compensation must account for these ongoing impacts, including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering damages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents in Clifton
What should I do immediately after a rideshare accident in Clifton?
Your immediate priorities are your health and safety. Seek medical attention first, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injury, may not produce immediate symptoms. Medical documentation also creates a record linking your injuries to the accident.
After addressing medical needs, document the accident scene. Take photographs and video of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and the overall scene. Photograph the rideshare vehicle’s license plate and the driver’s vehicle identification number (VIN).
Collect the driver’s name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle information. Get contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident. Screenshot the rideshare app showing the driver’s details and your trip information—this data proves the driver was working for the rideshare company at the time of your accident.
Report the accident to the rideshare company through the app. This creates an official record of the incident. However, do not provide detailed statements to rideshare company representatives or insurance adjusters without an attorney present. Insurance companies use your statements against you to minimize compensation. For detailed guidance, see our article on what to do if you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Contact an experienced rideshare accident attorney immediately. The sooner you hire representation, the sooner we can preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and begin building your case. Do not delay—the statute of limitations gives you only two years to file a claim.
Who is liable in a rideshare accident - the driver or the company?
Liability depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. If the driver was actively transporting a passenger (Period 2 or 3), the rideshare company’s insurance typically covers the accident. If the driver was offline or between rides, the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
However, rideshare companies frequently claim that drivers are independent contractors, not employees, and therefore the company bears no responsibility for driver negligence. This argument is often incorrect. New Jersey law recognizes that companies can be liable for contractor negligence under certain circumstances, including negligent hiring, inadequate training, or failure to implement safety measures.
Multiple parties may share liability. The rideshare driver may be liable for negligent driving. The rideshare company may be liable for negligent hiring or inadequate safety measures. Other motorists involved in the accident may also bear responsibility. An experienced attorney investigates all potential sources of liability to maximize your compensation. Learn about how to measure shared fault in a car accident.
How much is my rideshare accident case worth?
Your case’s value depends on multiple factors, including injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has recovered $21.8 million for traumatic brain injury, $7.225 million for motor vehicle accident injuries, and $5.35 million for pedestrian accidents. However, each case is unique.
Your free consultation provides a personalized case evaluation. We review your medical records, discuss your injuries and their impact on your life, and explain how New Jersey law values your specific damages. We provide a realistic estimate of your case’s value based on comparable cases and current jury trends.
What is the statute of limitations for a rideshare accident claim in New Jersey?
You have two years from the date of your accident to file a bodily injury claim in New Jersey. Property damage claims have a six-year statute of limitations. These deadlines are absolute—if you miss them, you lose your right to compensation permanently.
Time is critical for another reason: evidence deteriorates, and witnesses’ memories fade. The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner we can preserve evidence and interview witnesses while their recollections are fresh. Waiting weakens your case significantly. Read more about suing after an accident and time limits.
Will my case go to trial or settle?
Most rideshare accident cases settle before trial. However, settlement occurs only when insurance companies offer fair compensation. Our firm’s trial experience strengthens settlement negotiations—insurance adjusters know we will try cases and win substantial verdicts. This knowledge motivates them to offer reasonable settlements.
If settlement negotiations don’t produce a fair offer, we prepare your case for trial. Our attorneys are Certified Civil Trial Attorneys with extensive courtroom experience. We present your case to a jury and fight for maximum compensation. Our trial record includes Top 20 New Jersey verdicts, demonstrating our ability to win substantial jury awards. Discover why some personal injury cases go to trial.
How long does a rideshare accident case take?
Timeline varies based on injury complexity and case circumstances. Simple cases with clear liability and moderate injuries may settle within 6-12 months. Complex cases involving catastrophic injuries, multiple parties, or disputed liability may require 1-3 years or longer.
We prioritize efficiency without sacrificing results. We move cases forward aggressively while allowing adequate time for medical treatment completion and thorough investigation. Your attorney keeps you informed throughout the process and explains any delays or developments. Learn about how long a personal injury lawsuit takes.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Free Rideshare Accident Consultation
If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Clifton, don’t wait. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers offers a free consultation with no obligation. We listen to your story, explain your legal options, and discuss realistic compensation based on your specific injuries and circumstances. Our Clifton office at 481 Highland Ave is conveniently located to serve Passaic County residents.
Our firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. This arrangement removes financial barriers to legal representation and ensures we work tirelessly to maximize your compensation.
Call (973) 364-8300 today to schedule your free consultation. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to answer your questions and begin fighting for the compensation you deserve. With over 50 years of experience, $535 million in total recoveries, and a 4.9/5 star rating from more than 5,900 clients, Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has the experience and dedication to handle your rideshare accident case.
We are the trial attorneys with the experience and knowledge to get you the results you deserve. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we take time to get to know you, as well as your case. We are committed to excellence. It is important for our team to understand your fears, concerns and expectations. We are always available to answer any questions, and are willing to come to you if you are unable to come to us.
Contact Your New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys
