With the help of ridesharing apps, getting around without your own vehicle has become much easier. Ridesharing apps are particularly helpful in places where public transportation is lacking. Unfortunately, accidents with Uber and Lyft still happen.
In many cases, you can sue the responsible driver after an Uber or Lyft vehicle accident. However, suing the ridesharing companies is usually not an option. Even so, Uber and Lyft provide additional insurance that may benefit you after an accident. If you decide to pursue compensation, you will need evidence showing the Uber or Lyft driver is liable. Photographs, videos, and witness statements may all be extremely helpful. The overall value of your case depends heavily on the extent of your damages.
Our Long Island Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can help you get compensation after an accident involving a ridesharing vehicle. Call our team at The Carrion Law Firm at (631) 910-7493 and ask about a free case evaluation.
Who You Should Sue After an Accident with an Uber or Lyft Vehicle on Long Island?
When a lawsuit is authorized under New York’s no-fault laws, you can typically sue the Uber or Lyft vehicle driver after an accident. In many cases, plaintiffs are passengers inside the Uber or Lyft, but plaintiffs can also be pedestrians struck by the Uber or Lyft, or drivers in other vehicles.
Depending on how your accident occurred, there might be other parties you can sue. For example, in many car accidents, fault is shared between multiple drivers. If this is the case with your accident, you can sue the Uber or Lyft driver in addition to any other drivers who might have contributed to the accident. Talk to our Long Island Lyft and Uber accident lawyers about whom you can sue after a crash.
It should be noted that you ordinarily cannot sue the ridesharing companies Uber or Lyft. This is because people who work as Lyft and Uber drivers are legally independent contractors, not employees of these companies.
Normally, an employer can be held vicariously liable for the negligent behavior of its employees. Since Uber and Lyft drivers are not considered employees, the ridesharing companies cannot be held vicariously liable.
How Insurance Works After an Uber or Lyft Accident on Long Island
All drivers in New York, including Uber and Lyft drivers, are required by law to carry insurance. Since Uber and Lyft drivers are driving in a professional capacity, their personal insurance usually does not apply. Instead, they must carry insurance designed for drivers who take passengers as a job.
If you sue the Uber or Lyft driver, their insurance may cover them and pay for your damages. Uber and Lyft also provide additional insurance coverage under certain conditions.
Both ridesharing companies have similar insurance policies. If the driver in your case did not have their driving app turned on, they are considered off-duty, and Uber or Lyft’s insurance does not apply.
Suppose the driver in your crash was waiting for a ride request but did not have a passenger at the time of the accident. In that case, the ridesharing companies may cover up to $50,000 in bodily injuries per person and $25,000 in property damage. If the driver was en route to pick up a passenger or had a passenger in the vehicle, the accident might be covered by a $1,000,000 insurance policy.
You can discuss your case with our Long Island Uber and Lyft accident lawyers, and we can help you understand how insurance might affect your case. Even if you do not file an insurance claim, insurance may be a significant factor in your lawsuit.
What Evidence Do I Need for an Uber or Lyft Accident Case on Long Island?
When dealing with an Uber or Lyft accident case, there is some evidence that is common across almost all car accident cases and some that is unique to accidents involving ridesharing vehicles. Our Long Island Uber and Lyft car accident lawyers can help you gather the necessary evidence to strengthen your case and hopefully get your compensation.
Evidence unique to Uber and Lyft crashes often involves anything that proves the driver had their app turned on. If the driver’s app is turned on and they were engaged with a rider, Uber or Lyft may provide more insurance that can be used to cover your damages. If you were the passenger in the vehicle, evidence from your Uber or Lyft account showing you were matched with the driver and picked up for the ride will be very important.
Other evidence that may be important in most car accident cases includes photos or videos from the accident scene. Crash sites are often quickly cleaned up by law enforcement, and important physical evidence and other details may be lost. Photos and videos help preserve the scene.
Statements from witnesses who saw the accident or videos from nearby security cameras are also crucial pieces of evidence. If you have trouble finding evidence, an accident report from the police may shed light on the situation.
How Much Is an Uber or Lyft Accident on Long Island Worth?
How much your case is worth may vary greatly from case to case. In general, the value of an Uber or Lyft accident case depends on the extent of your damages.
The greater your physical injuries, the more money your case may be worth. For example, someone with severe injuries might be saddled with expensive medical bills. They might also lose their job because they are too injured to return to work, so they lose income.
You must also take your pain and suffering into consideration. These intangible damages are not necessarily connected to an explicit cost but may be financially compensated nonetheless. Pain and suffering are somewhat subjective, and our Long Island Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you calculate these damages.
Call Our Long Island Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys for Help
If you were hurt in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you deserve compensation and legal assistance. Our Long Island Lyft and Uber accident attorneys can help you get justice. Call The Carrion Law Firm at (631) 910-7493 and ask about a free case evaluation.