Bronx Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Trusted Rideshare Accident Lawyers In The Bronx

Since its launch, rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have transformed the transportation industry. This is especially true in big cities like the Bronx where public transit often falls short. Not only are these services more convenient than buses or trains but they also help reduce drunk driving incidents.

Although a rideshare service can help you save money, it is essential to remember the potential risks that come with entrusting your safety to another person’s hands. Most Uber and Lyft drivers are ex-taxi cab or public bus drivers who already have experience driving professionally. However, getting in a car with someone unknown still poses certain hazards. Moreover, as these services become more prevalent in NYC cities’ traffic congestion increases – raising the chance of automobile accidents even further.

If you or someone in your family has been involved in a rideshare accident, contact one of our skilled Bronx rideshare accident attorneys today. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, we specialize exclusively in helping victims receive the justice they deserve and obtaining any compensation to which they may be entitled. We have already helped so many similarly situated individuals throughout New York City who was hurt due to another person’s negligence; now it is time for us to help you too! Don’t wait—call (718) 509-4960 now for your free case evaluation at no cost!

Most Common Rideshare Accidents

Four primary types of personal injury claims may arise from rideshare vehicles.

1. The passenger was injured in a ridesharing vehicle during a ride.
2. The Rideshare driver was injured either while picking up, driving, or dropping off passengers.
3. Another driver was injured in an accident with a car that provides ridesharing services.
4. Passengers in a vehicle were injured in a crash with a rideshare vehicle on its way to pick up a fare.

It is a complex matter to pursue legal action against rideshare companies in the Bronx, as their drivers are all independent contractors and thus do not receive the same benefits as typical employees. Yet it remains possible—all that’s required is an experienced Bronx rideshare accident lawyer who knows how to handle these cases from beginning to end. If you want your best chance at success, speak with a professional who has already been through similar journeys in the past for optimal results.

Causes Of Rideshare Accidents In The Bronx

Rideshare providers like Lyft and Uber are extremely popular in the Bronx due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that owning a car can be expensive with higher insurance rates and costly parking fees. Furthermore, rideshare drivers may find themselves involved in accidents because of factors such as:

• Ridesharing vehicles that pick up or drop off passengers at intersections or other dangerous locations
• Rideshare drivers who are looking for passengers and not paying attention to the road can cause accidents
• GPS units or cell phones used for GPS guidance can be distracting for rideshare drivers
• Drivers in the Bronx who operate their rideshare vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Unsafe or illegal u-turns made in the Bronx
• Driving over the speed limit to get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible

Uber & Lyft Insurance: What You Need To Know

Uber and Lyft drivers often have lots of questions about insurance coverage when it comes to their ridesharing services. For instance, what type of protection can a driver anticipate? The answer fluctuates depending on the stage in which an accident happened. To simplify things, these companies categorize the driver’s time into three distinct “periods” that demonstrate exactly how much is covered during each step of the ride-sharing journey.

Period 1: You’re On The App And Waiting For A Match

Don’t worry about being caught short if you ever find yourself liable for an accident – Uber and Lyft both have third-party liability coverage in place to protect from damages incurred by others involved. This insurance covers any injuries or property destruction, not including your own vehicle – so no matter the consequences of the incident, you won’t be left out of pocket! Their comprehensive coverage pays out on:

• $50,000 per person for bodily injury to a third party injured in an accident you caused, meaning that’s the most that any one injured person can receive
• $100,000 total for bodily injuries to all third parties injured in an accident you caused, regardless of how many people were hurt or how badly they were hurt, and
• $25,000 for property damage to a third party’s car or other property damaged in an accident you caused, meaning that’s the most Uber or Lyft will pay for any vehicle or property damage resulting from the accident.

To ensure there is no uncertainty, let’s cover the most important aspects of Period 1 coverage. As previously specified, this insurance policy is contingent; consequently, you will have to open a claim on your plan before Uber or Lyft reimburse it. Here’s how it all works:

No Rideshare Endorsement

If you haven’t obtained a rideshare endorsement, Uber’s and/or Lyft’s insurance will pay out if your business denies the claim; however, this also means that you are in breach of your personal vehicle policy; consequently, there is a potential for cancellation or nonrenewal. Also, note that these companies’ coverage limits are quite low – thus third parties who have been injured may possibly sue for any damages beyond those limits.

Rideshare Endorsement

Establish a rideshare endorsement policy to attain primary coverage for any third-party bodily injury or property damage; your own insurance will then become secondary. It’s significant to bear in mind that this type of liability coverage does not cover medical costs and lost wages associated with you personally.

Periods 2 & 3: On The Way To Pick Up A Rider Or Transporting A Rider

If you find yourself at fault for an accident while using a ridesharing service, like Uber or Lyft, rest assured that their third-party liability insurance has your back. This coverage offers up to $1 million in damages for personal injuries or property damage caused by the driver’s negligence. However, it does not cover any repairs and medical bills incurred due to your own injury.

This liability insurance will only kick in if you make a claim to your own auto insurance provider; since that policy is primary, this one is contingent. If you lack coverage from the rideshare endorsement during Period 1 claims, you could end up encountering significant financial issues.

Despite the initial discouraging information, there is a silver lining to this subject. Both Uber and Lyft provide contingent collision and comprehensive coverage for accidents that happen during Periods 2 or 3; however, in order to be eligible for these protections, you must confirm your rideshare endorsement contains both collision and comprehensive coverage. As a helpful reminder, collision coverage will pay for any repairs or replacements needed to your car after an accident- even if you’re at fault. To ensure that you have the appropriate amount of protection, let’s take a look at how Uber and Lyft’s collision and comprehensive plans work:

No Rideshare Endorsement

Without an endorsement for ridesharing, you’ll be in a difficult predicament. You won’t have access to the coverage provided by Uber or Lyft until after your personal auto insurer has processed your claim. We all know what usually happens when this occurs; when you and your Bronx rideshare accident attorney make a claim through their insurance company, it’s essentially like conveying that you disregarded the policy agreement terms set out by them. So don’t be surprised if they cancel or choose not to renew their policy with you eventually as a result!

Rideshare Endorsement

Generally, your personal insurance policy will offer coverage in the event of an accident. But if you incur more damage than what your plan covers, Uber or Lyft’s protection could come into effect and reimburse up to the actual cash value of your vehicle including a $2500 deductible. An endorsement through rideshare should suffice for any accidents involving just your car; however, it might be wise to consider additional protection from Uber/Lyft depending on how expensive your car is as well as its collision coverage limit.

If you are unfortunate enough to experience a crash during Periods 2 or 3, Uber and Lyft may be able to assist with medical payments (med pay) and personal injury protection (PIP). These coverages will take care of your medical costs up to the specified limit – even if you were at fault! Unfortunately, not all states offer this type of coverage; therefore it is essential that you check local regulations beforehand.