New Hyde Park Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Attorney

Will Uber or Lyft Cover My Injuries?

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft must provide insurance coverage for their drivers. These policies include liability, property, and uninsured motorist coverage. Whether or not these policies will cover your damages will depend on the circumstances. The most important factor depends on if the rideshare driver was carrying a passenger, seeking a rider, or not using the mobile app at all.

When Rideshare Drivers Are Not Using the App

When a driver is not using the app to transport or seek out riders, companies like Uber or Lyft treat them as if they are using their vehicle for personal purposes. For that reason, rideshare companies will not offer any insurance coverage under these circumstances.

When Rideshare Drivers Are Actively Seeking Riders

Drivers actively engaged with the mobile app and seeking riders receive some insurance coverage from the rideshare company. However, this coverage is much less compared to when passengers are in the vehicle. In these cases, Uber and Lyft will provide coverage totaling:

• $75,000 for bodily injuries per person
• $150,000 for bodily injuries per accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident

hen Rideshare Drivers Are Transporting Passengers

The highest level of insurance coverage is reserved for situations where a rideshare driver was transporting a passenger at the time of the accident. In these cases, Uber and Lyft each provide policies of up to $1.25 million in coverage for property damage and bodily injury. These policies are considered secondary, meaning the driver’s own policy should be exhausted before this coverage kicks in.

Are New York Rideshare Passengers Covered in Accidents?

The insurance coverage provided by Uber or Lyft is not exclusively for other motorists injured in a rideshare accident. In fact, the passengers of a rideshare driver enjoy the most robust insurance coverage available in these collisions.

Any time a passenger is injured, they have coverage for up to $1.25 million provided by Uber or Lyft. This coverage pays for medical expenses as well as property damage. The companies also offer additional coverage for uninsured motorists. However, you would usually turn to your own coverage under New York state law.

What Does It Cost to Hire an Attorney for Your Rideshare Accident Case?

Our firm strongly believes that financial limitations and fear of costly legal fees should never prevent an injury victim from seeking fair compensation following a rideshare accident. If you were hurt due to another driver’s negligence, you deserve to pursue your case with the help of legal counsel—regardless of your financial situation. That is why our firm always accepts rideshare accident cases on a contingency-fee basis.

Our attorneys only get paid with a contingency fee if they successfully recover damages in your case. If your personal injury representative is unsuccessful, you will never owe us anything. Should we obtain compensation on your behalf, our fee is made up of a percentage of what we recover.

By relying on a contingency-fee approach, our New Hyde Park lawyers absorb the inherent risks that come with a rideshare accident lawsuit. You will not be required to make any upfront legal fees, and you will never walk away with less than you started due to legal fees. We know you’re under a lot of financial pressure, so we do not ask you to pay up front or by the hour.

How Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?

The factors that lead to rideshare accidents have much in common with every other motor vehicle collision. For the most part, rideshare accidents occur from human error. This could involve drivers that are distracted, intoxicated, or driving too fast for conditions.

Drivers Travel All Over the City

Some factors common among rideshare drivers could increase the risk of a crash. For example, many rideshare drivers operate in areas they are unfamiliar with. This unfamiliarity could cause a driver to split their attention between locating a potential passenger and avoiding a collision.

The More Passengers the Driver Transports, the More Money They Make

Rideshare drivers are also frequently motivated by completing a trip as fast as possible. Drivers that can wrap up a trip in short order could move on to the next one even faster. When a rideshare driver is in a hurry, their carelessness could result in an accident.

Many Factors Could Have Caused Your Uber or Lyft Accident

Of course, these accidents can result from unexpected factors. Some accidents happen due to deficient road repairs. Others stem from defective vehicle parts. It is important to allow your attorney to investigate your case right away to determine who was at fault.

You Could Recover Compensation Following an Uber or Lyft Accident

Regardless of the source, you could be entitled to recover financial damages following a rideshare accident. Your options could include filing a claim with an insurance company or pursuing a lawsuit directly against the driver.

The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP pursues compensation on behalf of those injured in rideshare accidents. Our Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers look forward to discussing your New Hyde Park case with you. Our team is prepared to advise you on the best path moving forward. To discuss your options with us, call 866-878-6774 for a free consultation.