Hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash: whose insurance pays?
Short answer
It depends on what the driver was doing.
- In New Jersey, during a ride, from accepting it until the last rider gets out, the law requires at least $1,500,000 in liability coverage and the same in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- While a driver waits for a ride, the minimum is $50,000 per person, plus PIP.
Checked October 12, 2026.
Sources: N.J.S.A. 39:5H-10(b), (c); N.J.S.A. 39:5H-2. Every fact cites a source
NJWhat's required, by phase
And $100,000 per incident for injuries, $25,000 for property, plus PIP.
And at least $1,500,000 in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
A ride starts when the driver accepts it and ends when the last rider gets out. The driver, the company, or both together must carry the coverage.
Source: N.J.S.A. 39:5H-10(b), (c); N.J.S.A. 39:5H-2NJWhen it's worth asking a lawyer
- You were a passenger during a rideThe required coverage during a ride is $1,500,000, far above the usual minimum of $35,000 per person.Source: N.J.S.A. 39:5H-10(b), (c); N.J.S.A. 39:5H-2; P.L.2022, c.87 (N.J.S.A. 39:6A-3); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-3.1
- It's unclear whether the app was onWhich coverage applies depends on whether the driver was waiting or on a ride.Source: N.J.S.A. 39:5H-10(b), (c); N.J.S.A. 39:5H-2
- Your injury may be permanentWith the lawsuit limit, pain and suffering depends on whether the injury is one the law lists.Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
- Your deadline is getting closeAn injury lawsuit generally must be filed within 2 years.Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)
Sources
- N.J.S.A. 39:5H-10(b), (c)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:5H-2Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- P.L.2022, c.87 (N.J.S.A. 39:6A-3)New Jersey Legislature, P.L.2022, c.87, approved August 5, 2022. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:6A-3.1Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
General information, not legal advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.
What to do next
- Next questionShould you give the adjuster a recorded statement?Before the rideshare company's insurer, or the other driver's, records what you say.
- Thinking about a lawyer?Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?When a consultation tends to help, and when people handle a claim alone.
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Questions people ask
Whose insurance pays if I'm hurt in an Uber in New Jersey?
During a ride, New Jersey requires the driver, the company or both to carry at least $1,500,000 in liability coverage.
How much insurance does Uber or Lyft have in New Jersey?
The law requires at least $1,500,000 during a ride, and $50,000 per person while the driver waits for one.
When does a rideshare ride start for insurance in New Jersey?
When the driver accepts the ride request, and it ends when the last rider gets out.
What if the rideshare driver had no passenger?
Once the driver accepted a ride request, the ride had started, even before pickup. If the driver was only logged on and waiting for a request, the minimum is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for injuries, plus PIP.