Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Rideshare Accidents in New Jersey
Posted November 19th, 2025 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Attorney Anthony Carbone, Auto Accidents, Lyft Accident, Personal Injury.
Losing a loved one in a rideshare accident is devastating. During this difficult time, understanding your legal rights and the steps you need to take can help your family get the justice and compensation you deserve. At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C., we guide families through wrongful death claims involving Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies in New Jersey.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim exists when someone dies because of another person’s careless, negligent, or wrongful actions. If your loved one could have filed a personal injury lawsuit had they survived, then the family can file a wrongful death claim after their passing.
In rideshare accidents, the responsible party might be the rideshare driver, another driver on the road, or even the rideshare company itself. Determining who is liable depends on the specific facts of the accident.
Who Can File and When?
In New Jersey, only the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This person represents the surviving family members, including the spouse, children, parents, and sometimes other dependents.
The most critical deadline is the statute of limitations. In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation forever. There are very few exceptions to this rule, so you must act quickly.
Special Issues in Rideshare Death Cases
When a fatal accident involves a rideshare vehicle, several important questions need answers:
What was the driver doing at the time? Was the rideshare app turned off, was the driver waiting for a ride request, or was the driver actively transporting a passenger? This determines which insurance policies apply.
Was the rideshare company’s insurance triggered? Depending on the driver’s status, different coverage may be available, from minimal personal auto insurance to multi-million dollar commercial policies.
Was another driver at fault? If a third party caused the accident, their insurance may be primarily responsible, but rideshare insurance might still provide additional coverage.
These factors determine which insurance companies you can pursue and how much money is available.
Multiple Insurance Layers
Rideshare death cases often involve several insurance policies: the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance, and the rideshare company’s commercial insurance.
When a rideshare driver was actively transporting a passenger, the rideshare company’s commercial insurance typically provides coverage up to $1.5 million or more. However, if the driver’s app was off or in a different status, much less coverage may be available.
Navigating these multiple insurance layers requires legal experience. You need someone who understands rideshare insurance rules and knows how to identify all responsible parties.
What Compensation Can Your Family Recover?
In a New Jersey wrongful death claim, your family may recover compensation for:
Medical and funeral expenses. The costs related to your loved one’s final injury, treatment, and burial or cremation.
Lost financial support. The income and benefits your loved one would have contributed to the family over their lifetime.
Lost household services. The value of services your loved one provided, such as childcare, home maintenance, or household management.
Loss of guidance and companionship. The advice, support, and relationship your family lost.
New Jersey law does not allow recovery for pure emotional distress or grief in wrongful death cases. However, the economic losses your family suffers can be substantial and are recoverable.
Steps to Take Now
If your loved one was killed in a rideshare accident, take these important steps:
Get the police report. Make sure the crash was reported and obtain the report number and a copy when available.
Collect rideshare information. Gather details about the ride, including the driver’s name, whether a passenger was in the vehicle, and the app status.
Document everything. Save photographs of the scene and vehicles. Get witness contact information.
Keep all financial records. Save medical bills, funeral expenses, and any other costs related to the accident.
Contact an attorney immediately. Don’t wait until you’re close to the two-year deadline. An experienced attorney can start investigating right away and protect your family’s rights.
Why Choose Experienced Legal Help
Wrongful death claims involving rideshare companies are complex. These cases require understanding of both wrongful death law and the unique insurance rules that apply to Uber and Lyft. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize what they pay. Your family deserves someone fighting just as hard for you.
At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we have over 35 years of experience representing families who have lost loved ones due to negligence. We understand how rideshare insurance works, how to identify all responsible parties, and how to hold them accountable.
We handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on your family during this painful time. We ensure all deadlines are met, all insurance companies are notified, and every dollar of available compensation is pursued.
Get Help Today
Losing a loved one in a rideshare accident is heartbreaking. You should not face insurance companies and complicated legal procedures alone. Contact The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. Let us fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves. Don’t wait. Call us now to protect your rights.
