Riding in an Uber or a Lyft is a daily part of life for many New Yorkers. Whether you take a rideshare car to work in the morning, home from the bar at night, or across town to run errands, you might rely on this service to get where you need to go. Even though they are important, Uber and Lyft do not have the right to put dangerous drivers on the road or to cause car accidents that leave people seriously injured.
If you were involved in an accident while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft in the Bronx, you may be entitled to compensation. A Bronx Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you file claims and get the compensation you need. Even if you were not riding in the Uber or Lyft but were driving or riding in another car, you could be able to file a claim against the at-fault Uber or Lyft driver.
If you need help with an Uber or Lyft accident, contact The Carrion Law Firm. Our Bronx Uber and Lyft accident lawyers provide free consultations to help you understand your options and learn more about your next steps. For your free case consultation, call us at (718) 841-0083 today.
Who to Sue for Uber and Lyft Crashes in the Bronx
If you were injured in a car crash, NY law often prevents you from filing a lawsuit directly. In many cases, New York’s no-fault insurance laws mean that the first place to turn is your own insurance company. However, if the accident is severe enough or causes enough damage, you could be entitled to sue.
A further issue with suing for Uber and Lyft accidents in the Bronx is that Uber and Lyft often cannot be the target of the lawsuit. In accidents involving taxis or buses, you would usually sue the company alongside the individual driver that injured you. Because Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, this insulates Uber and Lyft from being sued in most cases.
However, just because you cannot file a lawsuit doesn’t mean there is no compensation available. Instead, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies often cover victims of Uber and Lyft accidents, and our attorneys can help you fight to get the compensation you need.
Insurance Payouts for Bronx Uber and Lyft Accidents
Both Uber and Lyft follow similar insurance rules. Both rideshare programs require their drivers to carry their own rideshare insurance, first and foremost. This means that, should all else fail, you can still file a claim or a lawsuit against the Uber or Lyft driver. This works as it would with any other driver on the road. However, when they are on duty or actively carrying a passenger, Uber and Lyft each have extra insurance policies that cover injuries.
When there is a rider in the car or when the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger, both companies typically provide $1 million insurance policies to cover the accident. This covers…
- Injured Uber and Lyft passengers
- Other drivers and passengers injured by an Uber or Lyft driver
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
- The Uber or Lyft driver themselves
These policies can cover injures and property damage, potentially helping you get the coverage you need. However, you should never accept a payout from an insurance company without going over the offer with an experienced Bronx Uber and Lyft accident attorney.
If your accident occurred while the Uber or Lyft driver was on duty but had not yet accepted a ride, a different insurance policy usually covers the crash. First, the individual driver’s policy will cover the accident as normal. Then, if that is not enough, both rideshare services have additional coverage that can help cover the damages – but not the $1 million policy.
What to Do When Other Drivers Hit Your Uber or Lyft in the Bronx
If you were a passenger or driver in an Uber or Lyft, it’s possible that your accident was caused by someone in another car. If your car was hit by a truck, bus, or car, then that driver might be at fault for the crash. How do you get your damages covered in this kind of case?
First, because of New York’s insurance rules, the driver of your car should have insurance to cover the accident – and any time an Uber or Lyft has a passenger in the car, their high-dollar policies cover the accident. This often means your injuries will be covered, but you should always check with a lawyer to make sure there are no other damages you might be missing out on.
If there are additional damages, you may be entitled to file a claim against the at-fault driver or the company they work for. Truck, taxi, and bus drivers, unlike Uber and Lyft drivers, are often employees of the company they work for. That means the company could be held liable for its driver’s mistakes while driving. If your accident involved severe injuries, you could be entitled to file a lawsuit and recover damages above and beyond the no-fault limitations of New York’s insurance laws.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in the Bronx
One of the first things to do after an accident is to call 911. This can help you get immediate medical attention if you need it – and police can come and make a police report.
When an Uber or Lyft driver is involved in a crash, they will usually call their company’s accident response teams. These teams are in place to coordinate the aftermath of an accident – but it is important to remember that they do not represent you and are not on your side. Call a lawyer before talking to anyone from Uber or Lyft about your accident.
Also collect the contact info and insurance info for all drivers involved, including the Uber or Lyft driver’s personal and company insurance.
Call Our Bronx Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft car, call The Carrion Law Firm today at (718) 841-0083. Our Bronx Uber and Lyft accident injury attorneys offer free case consultations.