Hempstead Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Attorney
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Hempstead Uber and Lyft Accident Case?
If you are injured in a rideshare or any other car accident, you could recover monetary compensation for your losses. There are two main types of damages, which include the following:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are based on calculable losses an individual has suffered due to an accident. These are usually relatively concrete, as they can be easily documented and estimated. For example, medical bills are typically among the most important economic damage awards. These expenses can include costs for an ambulance, hospital stay, and follow-up treatment or therapy related to the victim’s injuries.
Lost wages are another common type of economic damage. Some victims may be out of work for just a few days, but others can be incapable of returning to their jobs for several weeks, months, or longer.
Still, another form of economic damage is related to property. For example, some victims will have had their vehicles severely damaged in a car accident to the extent that insurance does not cover repairs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective than economic damages. These relate to harm and injuries that do not come with objective documentation, such as missed work on timesheets or a medical bill. Common non-economic damages include scarring and disfigurement, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and permanent disability.
In summary, economic damages are typically intended to assist an individual in restoring their pre-accident condition monetarily. In contrast, non-economic damages are compensation that accounts for the injured victim’s pain and suffering, and other intangible accident-related losses.
When Can You Receive Economic and Non-Economic Damages?
Both types of damages are often available in many personal injury lawsuits, but they must be legally demonstrated. Economic damages are typically easy to establish because victims often incur expenses. Corresponding data or paperwork reinforce their claims. For this reason, it is usually beneficial to maintain receipts and records for out-of-pocket costs for all forms of medical treatment you receive.
Non-economic damages often do not come with the same type of documentation as economic damages, but they can still be sought after in many instances. For example, explaining an accident from a victim’s viewpoint or the psychiatric aftereffects of an accident can provide a judge or jury with sufficient information to warrant non-economic damage awards.
Statute of Limitations for Hempstead Uber and Lyft Accident Lawsuits
The majority of personal injury cases must be filed within three years from the date of the injury. You will relinquish your right to pursue this matter if you fail to file within this time frame. CVP § 214 specifies the maximum time a party has to begin a judicial proceeding. The time allotted for filing varies based on the violation or crime committed and its severity.
However, one exception to the rule can impact the time frame the statute of limitations covers. This would be an instance where the injury is not discovered until sometime later.
How Can an Accident Attorney Help After an Uber and Lyft Accident?
Your Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can deal with insurers on your behalf. They use their expertise to pursue a settlement, even if the case goes to trial. They also collect evidence to establish liability after the event and can effectively navigate complex Hempstead car accident cases. Finally, they can negotiate for the following:
- Compensation for medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of a loved one
Rideshare Liability Can Change If the App Is On or Off
Your personal auto insurance applies when a company’s rideshare app is off. However, these companies provide sufficient coverage when the rideshare app is on. Identifying the discrepancy between the two coverages is critical to protect you adequately.
Ridesharing companies, such as Uber or Lyft, are legally mandated to carry specific levels of commercial liability coverage. Therefore, passengers injured in a ridesharing car will be covered by the company’s commercial liability coverage. See the Uber and Lyft sites for further information.
When a ridesharing driver is at fault for the accident and a passenger’s injuries, the available liability coverage depends on the driver’s status (e.g., whether they accept rides).
What Happens When the Uber or Lyft Driver Was Not Logged In?
When a rideshare driver is not logged in to the app, they are not currently working for the company. The injured individual must initiate a claim through the driver’s personal car insurance liability policy when this is the case.
What Happens When the Uber or Lyft Driver Has a Passenger or Is En Route?
The total liability coverage limits apply when a rideshare driver carries a passenger or is en route to pick up an accepted ride. This means that the company’s insurance will be primarily liable and provide the coverages mentioned above.
This can mean coverage for:
- A passenger who was injured
- Another driver the Uber driver hit while they had a passenger or was on the way to pick up a passenger
- A pedestrian hit at this time
Contact a New York Rideshare Personal Injury Attorney’s Team Right Away
If you have been injured as a Hempstead passenger using a ridesharing service, we urge you to seek help from our Uber and Lyft rideshare attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP.
There is no cost to learn about your options. Working with a lawyer may substantially affect your case’s outcome. We offer a free consultation to all potential clients. So, please contact our office online today or call us at (866) 878-6774 if you were in an Uber or Lyft accident. Don’t delay; reach out today.
