Rideshare cars are everywhere in Hudson County, from the PATH stations in Hoboken and Journal Square to the late-night pickups along Newark Avenue. When one of them hits you, the insurance picture looks different from an ordinary crash. New Jersey’s Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act, signed in February 2017, sets out who pays and how much. Here is what to know, followed by local law offices, starting with The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone.
What should you know after an Uber or Lyft crash in Hudson County?
1. Why does it matter what the driver was doing in the app?
The coverage available depends on the driver’s app status at the moment of the crash. N.J.S.A. 39:5H-10 separates two situations: logged on and waiting for a request, and actually providing a ride. If the app was off, the driver’s personal auto policy is generally the only coverage, just as with any other car.
2. How much insurance applies during an active ride?
At least $1.5 million in primary liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage. That requirement applies whenever the driver is providing a prearranged ride, which under the statute runs from accepting the request until the passenger’s trip ends. “Primary” means it pays first. The law also says the rideshare policy cannot wait for the driver’s personal insurer to deny the claim.
3. What if the driver was logged on but had no passenger?
Coverage drops sharply. While a driver is available for requests but hasn’t accepted one, the required minimums are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for bodily injury or death, plus $25,000 for property damage. A driver circling Exchange Place between fares falls into this category.
4. Who pays your medical bills first?
Usually your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP), the no-fault medical coverage on New Jersey auto policies. You may not own a car or have household auto coverage. In that case, a pedestrian struck by a rideshare vehicle may be able to claim PIP through the insurance covering that vehicle. The statute also requires primary PIP while the driver is logged on and waiting, with limits tied to New Jersey’s standard PIP options.
5. What protection do passengers have if another driver causes the crash?
Passengers in an Uber or Lyft are covered by at least $1.5 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) during a ride. UM/UIM pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little to cover your losses. An economic analysis published in late 2025 argued this mandate raises fares, so confirm the requirement hasn’t changed before relying on it.
6. What should you collect, and how long do you have?
Get the driver’s name, plate, and insurance information. New Jersey requires rideshare drivers to carry proof of coverage and provide it to people involved in a crash on request. If you were a passenger, screenshot the trip receipt showing the time and route. Request the police report, and keep in mind the two-year deadline for most injury lawsuits under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2.
Which law offices serve people hurt in rideshare crashes in Hudson County?
- The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone
- Ramon M. Gonzalez, Esq.
- John D. Lynch
- Jon Kearney Law Office
- The Law Offices of Joel Silberman
The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone
The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, P.C. is a Jersey City firm where attorney Anthony Carbone has practiced for 35 years. The firm handles Uber and Lyft accident claims for passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. It also defends criminal and DUI charges. Consultations are free and offered in English, Hindi, and Punjabi.
Ramon M. Gonzalez, Esq.
A Union City attorney whose practice includes criminal matters.
John D. Lynch
A Union City attorney who handles criminal and traffic matters.
Jon Kearney Law Office
A Kearny office that handles criminal defense.
The Law Offices of Joel Silberman
A Journal Square office that handles criminal defense.
What matters most after a rideshare crash?
The single most useful fact is what the driver was doing in the app when the crash happened. It decides which policy applies and how large it is. Gather the driver’s insurance details and your own records early, before memories and data fade. If you were hurt by an Uber or Lyft in Hudson County, The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone can review your claim in a free consultation.
Attorney advertising. This article is general information and not legal advice.
