The convenience of using an App on your smartphone to call for a taxi ride with companies like Uber and Lyft has increased the number of individuals opting to use these ride-sharing car services. There is a difference between a traditional Taxi Company insurance policy and a Ridesharing insurance policy.
A traditional Taxi Company in most cases has liability insurance for its vehicles. These policies vary in the amount of insurance coverage provided. Some policies cover for injuries, medical expenses and other losses caused by an accident. These insurance limits vary however depending on the Taxi Company.
Earlier this year, the New Jersey Legislature passed a law entitled the Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act which governs ridesharing car services like Uber and Lyft. In many ways but not all, you are provided better insurance in a ridesharing car service that is complying with the new ridesharing law. (more…)
In many states, owner-operator truck drivers are independent contractors and thus not covered by the trucking company they are hauling for. In New Jersey, however, an owner operator is considered an employee of the trucking company they are working for.
New Jersey uses two tests to determine whether a person is an employee of a trucking company or an independent contractor. The first test is the “right to control test”. The second test is the “relative nature of the work test”.
Under the “right to control test”, an analysis is made as to whether the person hiring had the right to direct the manner in which the business or work shall be done as well as the results accomplished in order to determine if the person hiring is an employee.
If you are involved in a car accident in New Jersey, you must be prepared to act properly to avoid getting in trouble.
A driver in New Jersey cannot leave the scene of an accident. If you do leave the scene of the accident you risk getting a Summons which could result in points on your license and loss or suspension of your driver’s license.
If you or another driver is injured, you should if conditions permit immediately call 911 and advise the operator of your location and medical condition. If you are unable to call 911, do not panic and attempt to stay calm as other drivers will undoubtedly pull over to attempt to help you or they will contact the police to advise them of the accident.
If possible, you should pull over into the shoulder of the road as to avoid the danger of being in the middle of the roadway. Being on the shoulder is usually a lot safer than being in the roadway.
If the accident is minor in nature and you are able to communicate with the other driver, attempt to exchange information. At a minimum, you should gather your car registration, your driver’s license and your insurance card which the investigating police officer will need in order to write up a police report. If you cannot find these documents in your car, you can provide these documents at a later date. Every motor vehicle in New Jersey is required to have Automobile Insurance. Failure to have Automobile Insurance is a very serious motor vehicle violation which carries with it a mandatory one-year loss of license.
Get a free consultation from an attorney near you, learn your rights in accident cases including auto accidents, truck accidents, construction site accidents, work site accidents, fall down accidents,
Most drivers in New Jersey are unaware of whether they have selected a Verbal Threshold or a No Threshold option on their insurance policy.
What is a Verbal Threshold or No Threshold? Verbal Threshold limits your right to sue if you are injured in an automobile accident. No Threshold provides that you have no limitation on your right to sue if you are injured in an automobile accident.
