Rideshare companies and their drivers have fundamentally changed how transportation in New York has worked. However, the proliferation of rideshare drivers has been accompanied by a spike in the rate of rideshare accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you need to speak to a Huntington car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Whether you’re a passenger or another motorist, you may be able to file an insurance claim to recover the value of your economic and non-economic losses.
The attorneys at Levine And Wiss have over 100 years of combined legal experience and a fierce dedication to serving justice. We can hold negligent rideshare drivers and companies accountable for the harm they’ve caused you.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Rideshare Accident
You should always work with a Huntington personal injury lawyer after a car accident, and rideshare accidents are no exception. Insurance rules for rideshare drivers can be difficult to parse, and the rideshare company will likely try to dispute your claim and avoid paying.
A lawyer can provide legal support and negotiation leverage at every step of the insurance claims process. An attorney can also escalate the case to a formal lawsuit if the insurance company illegally denies or delays your payments.
We have extensive experience litigating rideshare accident cases and have gone up against large companies to walk away victorious. Let us show you why thousands of clients have chosen us to legally represent them.
For a free legal consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer serving Huntington
call (888) 468-4878
How Does Insurance Work for Rideshare Accidents?
Rideshare companies typically provide liability insurance to their drivers that will pay for injuries to passengers and other motorists. However, the insurance coverage is limited and only applicable during certain periods of the rideshare transaction.
Driver Isn’t Signed Into the App
When the driver isn’t signed in to the rideshare app, their personal auto liability policy applies. Generally, drivers must get special personal auto coverage to use their car for commercial purposes. Filing a claim in these circumstances is largely the same as filing a normal car accident claim.
Driver Signed in, Waiting to Accept a Ride
Once the driver is signed into the app, most rideshare companies offer limited liability coverage equal to the minimum state-required amounts. For New York, this is:
- $75,000 per person
- $150,000 per accident
- $25,000 in property liability coverage
In most cases, this limited coverage is secondary, meaning you need to file a claim with the driver’s personal auto policy first. Once their policy is exhausted or your claim is denied, you can then file a claim with the rideshare company’s insurance.
Driver En Route or With Passenger
When the driver has accepted a ride or has a passenger in the vehicle, most rideshare companies offer enhanced insurance limits. For example, Uber provides a combined $1.25 million policy for injuries and property damage.
Huntington Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me
(888) 468-4878Can I Directly Sue the Rideshare Company?
Rideshare drivers are mostly independent contractors, so you usually cannot sue the larger rideshare company for the negligence of its operators. However, rideshare companies can engage in negligent business practices that make them directly liable for accidents and injuries.
For instance, if Uber received numerous complaints about a driver but failed to take action, it could be legally liable if that driver went on to cause injuries.
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Compensation You Can Recover in a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
Depending on your circumstances, a rideshare accident lawyer in Huntington can pursue financial compensation for the following types of economic and non-economic losses:
- Emergency medical bills and continuous medical expenses
- Income and employment compensation you lost on account of missing work
- Changes in your lifetime projected earnings due to disability
- Out-of-pocket injury-related expenses
- Physical pain and psychological suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
We are adept at finding sources of compensation and will account for your short- and long-term losses when calculating demand figures.
Time Limit for Rideshare Accident Lawsuits in New York
You have a maximum of three years to file a lawsuit after a rideshare accident, according to NY CPLR 241.5. Once the three years pass, your legal claim to financial damages will expire. If you try to file after the three years, the court will just reject your lawsuit, regardless of your injury severity.
Even though you have three years, you shouldn’t wait to get started. Delays can harm your case by making it harder to obtain evidence or link your injuries to the accident events. You should instead talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to get a head start and minimize the chances of denials.
Contact Our Offices Online to Speak to a Huntington Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Rideshare accidents can be exceptionally difficult to deal with, but there are options for relief and assistance. The team at Levine And Wiss has been a reliable legal name in Huntington for over 15 years and is here to provide legal counsel.
Whether you’ve been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident, we can hold liable parties accountable for their wrongdoing. Fill out our contact form below to schedule a free case consultation with our Huntington rideshare accident lawyer team.