When you step into an Uber or Lyft, you expect a safe ride to your destination. Unfortunately, rideshare accidents happen every day across New Jersey, leaving passengers, drivers, and pedestrians with serious injuries and mounting medical bills. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you need an experienced New Jersey rideshare accident lawyer who understands the unique complexities of these cases and fights aggressively for the compensation you deserve.
At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, our team of certified civil trial attorneys has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims across New Jersey. We handle rideshare accident claims with the same intensity and dedication we bring to every case—preparing each matter for trial while negotiating strategically with insurance companies. With over 20 years of combined experience and a track record of multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, we know how to hold rideshare companies and negligent drivers accountable.
Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Rideshare Accident Claim
When you hire Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, you gain access to a team of certified civil trial attorneys with decades of experience in motor vehicle accident litigation. What sets us apart is our commitment to aggressive representation. We prepare every rideshare accident case for trial, which means we don’t accept lowball settlement offers from insurance companies. Our trial-ready approach gives us leverage in negotiations and ensures that insurance adjusters take your claim seriously. We understand rideshare company tactics and insurance company strategies, and we know how to counter them effectively.
Our firm also maintain 10 office locations across New Jersey, making it convenient for you to meet with our attorneys regardless of where you live or where your accident occurred. We offer free consultations with no upfront costs—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Our Lawyers
Our founder and chair of the Personal Injury Department, Edward P. Capozzi, brings 20 years of legal experience to every case. Edward holds certification as a Civil Trial Attorney from the New Jersey Supreme Court, recognition that reflects his expertise in complex litigation. He has been named a Super Lawyer since 2013 and was recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2026 for Personal Injury Litigation. Edward also 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.
Our partner, Alex S. Capozzi, brings 11 years of experience and has earned recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2026. Alex is also a Certified Civil Trial Attorney and has achieved multiple Top 20 verdicts in New Jersey, including a $2.75 million verdict in 2024.
Our trial lawyers, including Corey A. Dietz, have secured multi-million dollar settlements in motor vehicle accident cases. Corey has recovered $3.55 million in a motor vehicle accident case and $2.8 million in a product liability case involving defective equipment. Across all practice areas, Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has recovered over $700 million for injured clients.
What Makes Rideshare Accidents Different in New Jersey
Rideshare accidents present unique legal challenges that differ significantly from traditional motor vehicle accidents. When you’re injured in an Uber accident or Lyft accident, multiple insurance policies may come into play, and determining liability becomes complicated by the independent contractor status of rideshare drivers.
New Jersey law requires rideshare companies to maintain three tiers of insurance coverage based on the driver’s app status at the time of the accident.
- If the driver’s app was off, the driver’s personal insurance applies.
- When the app is on but no passenger is in the vehicle, a limited coverage policy kicks in.
- Once a passenger is in the vehicle or the driver is actively transporting someone, the rideshare company’s primary insurance coverage applies.
This tiered system creates disputes over which insurance should cover your claim—and insurance companies often use this complexity to deny or minimize compensation.
Additionally, rideshare companies frequently argue that drivers are independent contractors rather than employees, which affects liability determinations. These companies may attempt to shift responsibility away from themselves and onto the driver alone. Without an experienced rideshare accident attorney, you may find yourself caught in the middle of competing insurance claims and corporate liability disputes.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
Rideshare accidents occur through various circumstances, many of which involve driver negligence or systemic failures by the rideshare companies themselves. Understanding what caused your accident strengthens your claim and helps establish liability.
Common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted driving—drivers using their phones to navigate the app, check directions, or communicate with passengers
- Driver fatigue and exhaustion from working long hours without adequate breaks
- Speeding and aggressive driving to maximize trip volume and earnings
- Inadequate driver training and background screening by rideshare companies
- Vehicle maintenance issues and mechanical failures that rideshare companies fail to address
- Failure to yield, improper lane changes, and other traffic violations
- Impaired driving by rideshare drivers operating under the influence
- Third-party negligence—accidents caused by other drivers, pedestrians, or road hazards
Many of these causes involve direct negligence by the rideshare driver. Others reflect systemic failures by Uber and Lyft, such as inadequate driver vetting, insufficient training, or pressure on drivers to work excessive hours. Our attorneys investigate thoroughly to identify all responsible parties and pursue maximum compensation from every available source.
Types of Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents frequently result in serious, life-altering injuries. Because rideshare vehicles operate on public roads alongside other traffic, collisions often occur at significant speeds, causing catastrophic harm to passengers, drivers, and bystanders.
Common injuries from rideshare accidents include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, internal organ damage, and severe lacerations. Passengers may also suffer psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, following their accidents.
At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience handling cases involving catastrophic injuries. Our attorneys understand the long-term impact of serious injuries and fight to recover compensation that reflects not only your immediate medical expenses but also your future care needs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Rideshare Sexual Violence—Additional Protection
While most rideshare accidents involve vehicle collisions, some passengers experience sexual assault or abuse during rideshare trips. These traumatic incidents require specialized legal representation that addresses both the physical and emotional harm victims suffer.
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers handles rideshare sexual violence cases with the sensitivity and aggressive advocacy they demand. If you have experienced sexual assault during a rideshare trip, we encourage you to contact our team. Learn more about your legal options by visiting our rideshare sexual violence page, where we provide detailed information about holding rideshare companies accountable for failing to protect their passengers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including rideshare accidents. This means you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. However, you should not wait until the deadline approaches. Evidence can disappear, witness memories fade, and insurance companies may dispute your claim if you delay. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
Does Uber or Lyft's insurance always cover rideshare accidents?
Insurance coverage in rideshare accidents depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the collision. If the driver’s app was off, the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. When the app is on but no passenger is in the vehicle, Uber or Lyft’s limited coverage policy (typically $50,000 for bodily injury) applies. Once a passenger is in the vehicle or the driver is actively transporting someone, the rideshare company’s primary insurance coverage applies, which provides significantly higher limits. Insurance companies often dispute which coverage applies, which is why you need an attorney to navigate these complex determinations.
Can I file a claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes. New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still pursue a claim. An experienced attorney can argue to minimize your assigned fault and maximize your recovery.
What damages can I recover in a rideshare accident claim?
You can recover several categories of damages in a rideshare accident claim. Economic damages include medical bills, emergency room expenses, surgery costs, rehabilitation, lost wages, and property damage to your vehicle or personal belongings. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (if your spouse or family members are affected by your injuries). In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, you may also pursue punitive damages designed to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.
Do I need an attorney for a rideshare accident claim?
While you can file a claim without an attorney, insurance companies are skilled at minimizing payouts to unrepresented claimants. Adjusters may offer settlements far below the true value of your claim, and many injured people accept these lowball offers without understanding their full rights. An experienced rideshare accident attorney levels the playing field. We investigate your accident thoroughly, document your injuries and damages, negotiate with insurance companies, and prepare your case for trial if necessary. Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay nothing upfront—we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you.
Get Your Free Rideshare Accident Consultation Today
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident in New Jersey, don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers fights for maximum compensation on behalf of injury victims across the state. Our team of certified civil trial attorneys has the experience, credentials, and track record to handle your case aggressively.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Call our office at (973) 364-8300 or complete our online contact form to schedule your appointment. Our firm is available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss your legal options. With 10 office locations across New Jersey, we’re ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
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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.
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