What Happens if I am Injured in a Rideshare Accident in New York?

If you are injured in a rideshare accident in New York, you could seek payment for your injuries through the rideshare company’s insurance or other involved parties. Whether you were a passenger or another driver, determining who should cover your damages can be challenging. 

Fortunately, rideshare companies carry insurance that may cover your injuries. Our New York rideshare accident lawyers can build your case so you can recover compensation to pay your bills. We can tell you more during a free consultation.

Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries in a Rideshare Accident?

Depending on the circumstances of the crash, responsibility could fall on several parties, including:

• The rideshare driver: If the rideshare driver caused the accident, their personal auto insurance, along with the rideshare company’s insurance, may cover your damages.
• Another driver: If another driver was at fault, their insurance might be responsible for covering your injuries.
• The rideshare company: Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft carry large insurance policies that could apply depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident (whether they were transporting a passenger or just logged into the app).
• Vehicle manufacturers: If a mechanical failure or defect in one of the vehicles involved in the accident contributed to the crash, the vehicle’s manufacturer could be liable for your injuries. Defects like faulty brakes may shift responsibility to the manufacturer.
• Government entities: If poor road maintenance, inadequate signage, or unsafe road design played a role in the accident, the local or state government responsible for maintaining the roads could be liable for contributing to the conditions that caused the crash.
• Third parties: If the actions of a third party, such as a bicyclist or pedestrian, contributed to the accident, such as crossing unexpectedly or violating traffic laws, they may also be partially liable for the crash. 

Our New York car accident lawyers can seek compensation from all multiple parties and their insurance companies to make sure each one covers their share of responsibility for the harm you suffered.

What Insurance Coverage Applies After a Rideshare Accident?

After a rideshare accident, the insurance coverage that applies will depend on the driver’s status at the time of the crash and which parties were involved. Our personal injury lawyers in New York can address any complex insurance issues your rideshare accident case involves. 

Our legal professionals can make it easier to understand and identify which insurance coverage applies. New York law requires rideshare companies to carry substantial insurance coverage for accidents. Depending on when the accident happened, different levels of coverage may apply:

• When the rideshare driver is offline: The driver’s personal insurance is responsible for covering any accident.
• When the driver is online but waiting for a ride request: The rideshare company provides contingent coverage up to $75,000 in bodily injury.
• When the driver is on their way to pick up a passenger or transporting passengers: The rideshare company’s insurance coverage increases to $1.25 million for third-party liability and additional coverage for underinsured drivers.

We can explain which insurance policy applies in your case and file your damages claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover for a Rideshare Crash?

If you suffer injuries in a rideshare crash in New York, the damages you receive will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, your medical treatment costs, how much income you lost, and each party’s level of fault. Insurance policy limits also determine how much victims can receive

If you are injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation to cover:

• Medical expenses: Current and future costs for treatment related to your injuries.
• Lost income: Compensation for the time you were unable to work because of your injuries.
• Pain and suffering: Damages for the physical and emotional impact of the accident.
• Property damage: Payment for repairs or replacement if your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the crash.

We will review your case and calculate the full amount of compensation you may be entitled to recover.

How Our Lawyer Can Help After a New York Rideshare Accident 

Dealing with a rideshare accident claim can be confusing, but a lawyer can make the process easier and help you get the money you need. Here’s how a lawyer can help:

• Investigating the accident: A lawyer will collect evidence like police reports, witness statements, and any video footage to find out who is responsible. They might work with experts who can explain how the accident happened if needed.
• Handling insurance companies: Rideshare accidents can involve several insurance companies. Our lawyers will talk to them on your behalf to make sure you get a fair offer.
• Proving your damages: Our legal team will gather the paperwork to show the full amount of your losses, like medical bills, lost pay, and future care needs.
• Managing legal deadlines: Our lawyer will file all paperwork on time so you don’t miss any important deadlines.
• Representing you in court: If you can’t reach a fair deal with the insurance companies, your attorney can take your case to court and fight for you.

With our legal professional handling your legal matter, you can focus on recovering while they work to get you the compensation you deserve.

Time Limit for Filing a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit in New York

In New York, state law allows you three years from the date of the accident to sue for compensation. However, if your accident resulted in a wrongful death, you typically have two years to file.

We encourage you to act quickly, as delays can make it more challenging to gather evidence and build a strong case. If we must seek damages in civil court, our team will file your lawsuit on time.

If You’ve Been Injured in a New York Rideshare Accident, Call Us

You don’t have to handle the stress of medical bills, insurance companies, and legal issues alone if you suffered injuries in a rideshare crash. Morelli Law Firm has recovered $1 billion-plus for New Yorkers dealing with injuries and losses due to others’ negligence.

We’ll answer your questions about what happens if you are injured in a rideshare accident in New York and explain the next steps. Call us today for a free consultation. We work on contingency, so you don’t have to pay us unless you win your case.