When a Rideshare Vehicle Hits a Pedestrian or Cyclist in New Jersey: What You Need to Know
Posted November 10th, 2025 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Attorney Anthony Carbone, Auto Accidents, Lyft Accident, Personal Injury.
Pedestrians and cyclists are among the most vulnerable people on New Jersey roads. When an Uber or Lyft driver hits someone walking or riding a bike, the injuries are often severe and the legal issues can be complicated. At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C., we help pedestrians and cyclists who have been injured by rideshare vehicles understand their rights and get the compensation they deserve.
Why These Accidents Are So Serious
When a car hits a pedestrian or cyclist, the person outside the vehicle has almost no protection. Unlike people inside cars who have seatbelts and airbags, pedestrians and cyclists absorb the full force of the impact.
Common injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, severe cuts, and permanent disabilities. These serious injuries often mean expensive medical bills, long recovery times, and lasting effects on your ability to work and enjoy life.
How Rideshare Insurance Works for Pedestrians and Cyclists
When a rideshare vehicle hits you, the insurance coverage available depends on what the driver was doing at the time.
Driver Not Logged Into the App
If the Uber or Lyft driver wasn’t logged into their rideshare app, only their personal auto insurance applies. This can create problems because many personal insurance policies don’t provide much coverage.
Driver Logged In and Waiting for a Ride
When the driver is logged into the app but waiting for a ride request, limited rideshare insurance coverage applies. In New Jersey, this includes at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury. This may not be enough to cover serious injuries.
Driver With Passenger or En Route to Pickup
Once the driver accepts a ride or has a passenger in the car, full commercial insurance kicks in. In New Jersey, this means up to $1.5 million in liability coverage. This higher coverage is crucial for pedestrians and cyclists who often suffer catastrophic injuries.
Understanding Fault in New Jersey
New Jersey uses a comparative negligence system. This means that if you’re found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were crossing outside a crosswalk when the driver hit you, the insurance company might argue you were 30% at fault. If your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $70,000 instead.
Insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians and cyclists to reduce what they have to pay. This is why having an experienced attorney is so important.
Critical Steps After Being Hit
Get Medical Help Immediately
Call 911 or have someone call for you. Even if you think you’re okay, get checked by a doctor. Some serious injuries don’t show symptoms right away.
Call the Police
Make sure the police come to the scene and file a report. This creates an official record of the accident.
Find Out If It Was a Rideshare Driver
Ask the driver if they were working for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company. Find out if they had a passenger or were on their way to pick someone up. This information determines which insurance policy applies.
Document Everything
If you’re able to, take photos of the scene, the vehicle, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Get contact information from any witnesses.
Don’t Talk to Insurance Companies Alone
Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly. Be polite but don’t give recorded statements or sign anything without talking to an attorney first.
Contact an Attorney Right Away
Rideshare accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists are complex. You need someone who understands how rideshare insurance works.
How We Help Injured Pedestrians and Cyclists
At The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we have over 35 years of experience representing people injured in accidents throughout New Jersey. We understand the special challenges that pedestrians and cyclists face when hit by rideshare vehicles.
We help our clients by:
Investigating the accident thoroughly. We find out the driver’s app status, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and determine exactly what happened.
Identifying all available insurance. We make sure you get access to the highest insurance coverage possible, whether from the driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company, or other sources.
Fighting against fault arguments. We push back when insurance companies try to blame you for the accident to reduce what they have to pay.
Calculating your full damages. We account for all your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future expenses related to your injuries.
Handling all negotiations. We deal with insurance companies so you can focus on healing.
Taking your case to court if needed. If insurers won’t offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
If you’ve been hit by a rideshare vehicle while walking or biking, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies start building their defenses immediately.
Contact The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Call us now to protect your rights.
