Millions of New Yorkers and visitors rely on Uber and Lyft to get around the city. However, the drivers hired by these companies are sometimes dangerous, and hours of driving can make them too tired to drive safely. When Uber and Lyft accidents happen, passengers and others can be injured.
Our Harlem Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you and your family recover damages after a serious accident. Although the processes might be a bit complicated because of complex insurance rules, you could ultimately be entitled to damages whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a biker or pedestrian outside the car.
For help with your accident case, call The Carrion Law Firm’s Harlem Uber and Lyft accident lawyers today at (718) 841-0083.
Suing for Uber and Lyft Accidents in Harlem, NY
In many cases, a lawsuit is the best way to receive compensation for your injuries after an Uber or Lyft accident. However, complex insurance rules might block some individuals from suing. Our Harlem Uber and Lyft accident lawyers explain:
First, it is important to understand how New York’s no-fault insurance rules might affect your case. Drivers are each required to carry no-fault insurance that will protect them and the passengers of their vehicle in the event of an accident. Without having to first prove who caused the crash, the drivers, passengers, and even injured pedestrians can get compensation from this personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.
Only if your injuries are serious can you sue or file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. There are some exceptions, such as for motorcycle riders who are not required to carry PIP insurance. However, most cases must reach this serious injury threshold – usually involving permanent injuries, broken bones, or disabilities – before you can go after the at-fault driver. Talk to an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer about the specific rules that apply to your specific case.
Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft typically cannot be sued for these accidents. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can help you file against the at-fault driver, which might be the Uber or Lyft driver. However, we typically cannot sue Uber or Lyft because their drivers are not employees of these companies, so the companies are not liable for their bad driving. However, they still supply their drivers with additional insurance that can help cover your crash.
Who Can Get Compensation for Uber and Lyft Accidents in Harlem
Whether you were a rider in the Uber/Lyft, a driver in another car, or even a pedestrian, our Harlem Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can often help you get compensation for your injuries:
Uber and Lyft Passengers
Any time you are injured in a crash as a passenger, you typically cannot be held at fault. This means that someone else must have caused the crash – typically either the driver in your vehicle, the driver(s) of another vehicle(s), or a combination of the two.
Any time an Uber or Lyft driver has a passenger in their car, they should be covered by the rideshare company’s $1 million insurance policy. This should help cover your injuries and expenses, even if a lawsuit is not allowed. This insurance should also help cover you regardless of who was at fault. For any additional damages, our attorneys can file a lawsuit or insurance claim against the at-fault parties for their share of the damages.
Other Drivers
If you were driving another car and you were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, you can still file a claim against them as you would in any other car accident. However, since they work as Uber or Lyft drivers, they are typically required to carry rideshare insurance on top of their usual insurance requirements. This could include additional liability insurance that could pay you higher damages.
Moreover, Uber and Lyft have the $1 million insurance policies that might help cover your case if the driver had a passenger or was en route to pick up a passenger. There is also another supplemental insurance policy that can help cover damages if the driver was on duty but had no passengers yet.
Uber/Lyft Drivers
If you were an Uber or Lyft driver and the accident was not your fault, we can help you get compensation from your insurance, Uber and Lyft’s insurance, and any drivers who did cause the crash.
Other Passengers
Passengers in other vehicles hit by an Uber or Lyft driver have a similar case to the Uber/Lyft passenger: they are not at fault for the crash, but one of the drivers (or all of the drivers) will be at fault. This allows you to similarly claim damages from the Uber/Lyft driver, the driver of your vehicle, or whatever other driver(s) might be at fault.
Bikers
If you were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver while riding a bike in Harlem, the Uber/Lyft driver is likely liable for your crash. As long as you were following traffic laws when the accident occurred, the courts and insurance companies should find that the driver was at fault.
Even if you were doing something illegal, they might still find that the driver shares a majority of the blame and award you partial damages reduced by your share of fault. These “comparative fault” rules apply in all kinds of auto accidents and injury cases. Talk to our Harlem Uber and Lyft accident lawyers for help with your specific case.
Pedestrians
Like bikers, pedestrians are usually the victims of vehicle accidents. This means that the Uber or Lyft driver should be liable for your injuries. Their PIP insurance can help cover you as a pedestrian, and any other insurance policies the Uber/Lyft driver has (e.g., rideshare insurance, Uber/Lyft’s insurance) should also help to cover your injuries. If your injuries are “serious,” a lawsuit could still be the best way to get your injuries covered, as these insurance companies will still typically be the ones to pay if you take their driver to court.
Call Our Harlem Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, call the Harlem Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm today at (718) 841-0083. We offer free case reviews.