Injuries During Rideshare Pickups and Drop-Offs: What You Need to Know in New Jersey

When most people think about rideshare accidents, they picture crashes that happen while the car is moving. But many injuries actually occur when passengers are getting in or out of Uber or Lyft vehicles. These pickup and drop-off accidents present unique legal challenges. At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C., we help clients understand their rights when they’re injured during rideshare pickups and drop-offs in New Jersey.

How These Injuries Happen

Rideshare injuries don’t always involve two vehicles colliding. Many accidents happen in situations like these:

Slip and fall accidents. A passenger slips on a wet curb, icy sidewalk, or uneven pavement while getting out of the vehicle.

Door injuries. A passenger gets hurt by a car door opening into traffic, or a passing vehicle strikes an open door.

Pedestrian accidents. The rideshare driver hits a pedestrian while pulling into a pickup zone or drop-off area.

Falling objects. Bags or other items fall from the trunk and injure someone.

Traffic accidents during stops. Another vehicle rear-ends or side-swipes the rideshare car while it’s stopped to pick up or drop off passengers.

These situations may not fit neatly into standard auto accident claims. Determining who is responsible and which insurance policy applies can be complicated.

Who Is Responsible?

Figuring out liability in these cases depends on several factors:

The Driver’s App Status

The driver’s status determines which insurance coverage applies. If the driver was actively on a trip with you, the rideshare company’s full insurance should cover the incident. If not, coverage may be limited or unavailable.

Driver Negligence

Did the driver act carelessly? Examples include stopping in a dangerous location, opening the door into traffic, or failing to check for hazards before letting passengers out. If the driver was negligent, they may be liable for your injuries.

Property Hazards

Were dangerous conditions present where you were picked up or dropped off? Wet surfaces, potholes, broken sidewalks, or poor lighting can contribute to injuries. If a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions, they might share responsibility.

Other Drivers

Sometimes another driver causes the accident. For example, if a car rear-ends your rideshare vehicle while you’re getting in, the other driver may be primarily at fault.

Because multiple parties can be involved, determining who is responsible requires careful investigation.

Understanding Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for pickup and drop-off injuries depends on when and how the accident happened.

Driver Not Logged Into the App

If the driver wasn’t logged into the rideshare app at the time of your injury, only their personal auto insurance may apply. This can severely limit available compensation.

Driver Logged In and Waiting

If the driver was logged into the app but hadn’t accepted your ride yet, limited rideshare insurance coverage may be available. However, this coverage might not extend to all types of pickup and drop-off injuries.

Active Ride or Ride Accepted

Once the driver accepts your ride request, the rideshare company’s full commercial insurance applies. In New Jersey, this typically includes up to $1.5 million in liability coverage. This insurance should cover injuries that happen during pickup and drop-off if they’re directly related to your ride.

The key question is whether your injury occurred while you were engaged in rideshare activity. Insurance companies may try to argue that pickup and drop-off injuries fall outside their coverage period.

Steps to Take After an Injury

If you’re injured while getting in or out of a rideshare vehicle, take these important steps:

Get Medical Help Immediately

See a doctor right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Medical records create important documentation linking your injuries to the accident.

Document Everything

Take photos of the location where you were injured, including curbs, sidewalks, wet or icy surfaces, the vehicle’s position, and any other hazards.

Collect Witness Information

If anyone saw what happened, get their names and contact information. Witness testimony can be crucial in proving how your injury occurred.

Save Your Ride Details

Keep all information from your rideshare app, including timestamps, the driver’s name, and pickup and drop-off locations. This proves your ride was active when the injury occurred.

Report the Injury

Notify the rideshare company about your injury through their app or customer service. Be careful about giving detailed statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney.

Contact an Attorney Quickly

Don’t wait to get legal help. Pickup and drop-off injury cases involve unique legal and insurance issues that most people can’t navigate alone.

Why You Need Legal Help

Insurance companies often try to minimize their responsibility for pickup and drop-off injuries. They may argue that the accident happened outside their coverage period or wasn’t related to the ride. Without an experienced attorney, you might not get the compensation you deserve.

At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we have over 35 years of experience handling all types of rideshare accidents in New Jersey, including pickup and drop-off injuries. We identify all responsible parties, determine which insurance applies, gather strong evidence, and negotiate with insurers to get you full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Get the Help You Deserve

Injuries during rideshare pickups and drop-offs are more common than most people realize, and they can be just as serious as any other accident. Don’t let insurance companies tell you that you’re not covered.

Contact The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll review what happened, explain your legal options, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve. Time is limited under New Jersey law, so call us now to protect your rights.

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