How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in New Jersey?
Posted November 26th, 2025 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Attorney Anthony Carbone, Auto Accidents, Lyft Accident, Personal Injury.
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident in New Jersey, time is not on your side. Understanding the deadlines for filing your claim is critical to protecting your rights and getting the compensation you deserve. At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C., we help injured parties navigate these important time limits and take action before it’s too late.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is a legal deadline that sets a time limit for filing a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly refuse to hear your case, no matter how strong your evidence is or how badly you were hurt.
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accidents and rideshare accidents, is two years from the date of the injury. This means if you were hurt in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft, you typically have two years to file a lawsuit seeking compensation.
While two years might sound like plenty of time, it can pass quickly, especially when you’re dealing with medical treatment, insurance companies, and trying to get your life back to normal.
How This Deadline Applies to Rideshare Accidents
The same two-year rule applies to accidents involving rideshare vehicles. However, rideshare accidents are often more complicated than regular car accidents.
These cases typically involve multiple parties: the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, other drivers, and several different insurance companies. Each layer of complexity takes time to investigate and navigate.
This complexity makes it even more important to start the legal process early. Waiting until the deadline is close can leave you without enough time to properly investigate your case.
Other Critical Deadlines You Need to Know
Reporting to Your Insurance Company
While the statute of limitations controls when you must file a lawsuit, your own insurance company has different rules. Most insurance policies require you to report an accident within days or weeks.
Failing to report the accident promptly can jeopardize your claim. Even if you plan to seek compensation from the rideshare company or another driver, notify your own insurer right away.
Property Damage Claims
If your vehicle was damaged in the rideshare accident, the statute of limitations for property damage claims is typically six years in New Jersey. However, it’s still best to handle these claims as soon as possible while evidence is fresh.
Wrongful Death Claims
If a loved one was killed in a rideshare accident, wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years from the date of death. Given the emotional trauma and complexity of these cases, families should seek legal help immediately.
Special Circumstances
Some situations can change the deadline. If the injured person is under 18, the two-year clock typically doesn’t start until they turn 18. If an injury wasn’t immediately apparent, the deadline might begin from the date of discovery. If a government vehicle was involved, special notice requirements and shorter deadlines may apply.
Why You Should Act Immediately
Even though you have two years to file a lawsuit, waiting is risky. Here’s why you should take action as soon as possible:
Evidence disappears. Photos, app data, witness memories, and physical evidence can be lost over time. The sooner you start building your case, the stronger it will be.
Insurance investigations start early. Rideshare companies and their insurers will begin investigating immediately. You need to protect your interests from the start.
Complex cases take time. Determining the driver’s app status, identifying all applicable insurance policies, and building a strong case with medical records takes time.
Missing the deadline ends your case. Even if you have overwhelming evidence and severe injuries, the court will dismiss your case if you file after the statute of limitations expires.
Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident
Get medical care immediately. Your health comes first, and prompt medical treatment creates important records linking your injuries to the accident.
Report the accident. Notify the rideshare company through their app and report the crash to your own insurance company.
Document everything. Collect the driver’s name, rideshare company, trip details, app screenshots, photos of the scene and damage, and witness information.
Write down what happened. Record your memories of the accident while they’re fresh, including what you saw, felt, and did afterward.
Contact an experienced attorney. Don’t wait to get legal help. Rideshare accident claims involve unique legal and insurance issues that require specialized knowledge.
Protect Your Rights Now
At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we have over 35 years of experience handling personal injury claims in New Jersey, including complex rideshare accidents. We understand the deadlines, the insurance rules, and the strategies needed to maximize your compensation.
The clock starts ticking the moment your accident happens. Every day that passes is one less day you have to investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a strong claim. Insurance companies know about these deadlines and often use delay tactics hoping you’ll miss your window to file.
Don’t let the statute of limitations run out on your claim. Don’t assume you have plenty of time. Rideshare accidents involve multiple insurance companies, complex app data, and detailed investigations that all take time to complete properly.
Contact The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and take immediate action to protect your rights. We handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. The sooner you call, the better chance you have of getting the full compensation you deserve. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
