Brooklyn Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Skilled Rideshare Accident Lawyers In Brooklyn, NY
Since their inception, rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have disrupted the transportation industry. They are especially prevalent in large cities like Brooklyn where public transportation is insufficient. In addition to being more convenient than buses or trains, these services have helped reduce instances of drunk driving.
Although utilizing a rideshare service may help you save money, it is also important to be aware of the possible dangers that come with putting your safety into someone else’s hands. Many Uber and Lyft drivers are ex-taxi cabs or public bus drivers, so they already have experience driving professionally. However, there is always an inherent risk when getting into a car with a stranger. Additionally, as these services become more popular, there are more cars on the road overall which contributes to a higher chance of car accidents in NYC.
If you or a family member has encountered an accident while using a rideshare service, immediately contact one of our experienced Brooklyn rideshare accident lawyers to understand what your options are. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez focus on helping victims by being dedicated exclusively to this process. By holding the right people accountable and getting you the money you’re entitled to, we’ve helped countless injured victims in NYC who have been in your position. Call us now for a free case evaluation at (718) 509-4960 so we may help you too.
Types Of Rideshare Car Accidents
There are four broad categories of personal injury cases that come as a result of rideshare vehicles:
- The passenger was injured in a ridesharing vehicle during a ride.
- The Rideshare driver was injured either while picking up, driving, or dropping off passengers.
- Another driver was injured in an accident with a car that provides ridesharing services.
- Passengers in a vehicle were injured in a crash with a rideshare vehicle on its way to pick up a fare.
Rideshare drivers are independent contractors who work for a ridesharing company. Drivers must meet specific requirements and maintain their cars to particular standards, but they don’t receive the same employee benefits as traditional employees. These cases can be tricky, but not impossible. However, for the best possible results, it’s critical to work with an experienced Brooklyn rideshare accident lawyer who has represented similar cases in the pst.
Causes of Brooklyn Rideshare Accidents
There are many reasons why rideshare providers like Lyft and Uber are so prevalent in Brooklyn. Cars can be impractical to own in the city, especially when you factor in things like higher insurance rates and expensive parking. Rideshare drivers often get into accidents for a variety of reasons, 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 Brooklyn who operate their rideshare vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Unsafe or illegal u-turns made in Brooklyn
- Driving over the speed limit to get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible
Understanding Uber and Lyft Insurance
There are many questions that need answering regarding insurance and ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. For example, what kind of coverage can an Uber driver expect? The answer to this question depends on when the accident took place. In order to better explain coverage, rideshare companies h divided the driver’s time into three different “periods.” These periods explain what is covered during each step of the ridesharing process.
Period 1: You’re On The App And Waiting For A Match
If you get into an accident that is your fault and your own insurance doesn’t cover it or isn’t enough, both Uber and Lyft have got you covered with their liability coverage. However, this only covers accidents where someone else was injured or had their property damaged–not any injuries or damage to your vehicle that may have occurred. This third-party liability insurance pays for:
- $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 avoid any confusion, here are some critical things to know about Period 1 coverage. As stated before, this insurance is “contingent.” What that means is you will need to open a claim with your policy first, and then Uber or Lyft will pay. This is how it works:
No Rideshare Endorsement
If you haven’t purchased a rideshare endorsement, then when your company denies the claim (which it will if you’re driving for business purposes), Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance should pay out. However, this also means that you’ve breached your personal auto policy and run the risk of being canceled or nonrenewed. And finally, because Uber’s and Lyft’s coverage limits are relatively low, third parties who were injured can sue you for excess damages if they exceed these limits.
Rideshare Endorsement
Use a rideshare endorsement policy to get primary insurance coverage for any third-party bodily injury or property damage. Your own policy will become secondary in these situations. However, it’s important to note that this type of liability coverage does not extend to include your personal medical bills or lost wages.
Periods 2 & 3: On The Way To Pick Up A Rider Or Transporting A Rider
Ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have third-party liability insurance that covers up to $1 million in damages for accidents drivers cause. This means that if you’re at fault for an accident, any resulting personal injuries or property damage to your passengers or other people will be compensated by this coverage—but not you. You’ll still be responsible for paying for repairs and medical bills incurred by yourself.
This liability insurance is also contingent, only paying after you’ve made a claim to your own auto insurance company because your policy is primary. If you have no rideshare endorsement, like in Period 1 claims, you may find yourself in serious financial trouble.
Although it may not seem like it at first, there is some good news surrounding this topic. To begin with, both Uber and Lyft have what is called contingent collision and comprehensive coverage for accidents that occur during Periods 2 or 3. In order to be eligible for this type of coverage, you will need to double-check that your rideshare endorsement includes both collision and comprehensive coverage. It is important to make sure that you have enough of each one. Just as a friendly reminder, collision coverage pays for any damages done to repair or replace your car–even if the accident was your fault. Here is how Uber and Lyft’s collision and comprehensive coverages work:
No Rideshare Endorsement
If you don’t have a rideshare endorsement, you’re in trouble. You won’t be able to get the benefits of Uber or Lyft coverage until you present your claim to your personal auto insurer first. And we all know how that goes down. When you and your Brooklyn rideshare accident lawyer make a claim, you’re essentially telling your insurance company that you broke the rules set forth in your policy agreement. So don’t be surprised if they drop or non-renew your policy altogether.
Rideshare Endorsement
Normally, your personal policy pays out first in the instance of an accident. But if the damage done exceeds what your policy covers, then Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance will step in to pay for damages up to the actual cash value of your vehicle–with a $2500 deductible, though. It’s likely that your rideshare endorsement will take care of any accidents involving just your car. However, it might be worth considering Uber or Lyft coverage if the actual cash value of your car is high and/or the collision coverage limit is low.
Lastly, for accidents that take place during Periods 2 or 3, both Uber and Lyft might offer some compensation through PIP and med pay coverage. Remember that these are first-party coverages, which means they will cover your medical bills up to the set limit–even if you were at fault. These types of coverage are not available in every state; additionally, the limits differ based on state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Rideshare Program?
Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are popular forms of transportation, but how do they work? Essentially, riders use the company’s app to request a ride from drivers using their own personal car. The driver then picks up the rider and takes them to their destination. All payments for the ride are made through the app so that cash or credit cards are never used inside the vehicle.
What Is Rideshare Insurance?
Your personal auto policy will cover you while you’re working for companies such as Uber and Lyft, but only before you accept a ride request. Once you’ve accepted the request, coverage from Uber and Lyft kicks in.
Rideshare drivers have to juggle between personal auto insurance and commercial car insurance, which can get pretty complicated. Insurance companies had to create new rules and regulations to accommodate the growing trend of ridesharing via companies like Uber and Lyft. This classification of car insurance is now known as rideshare coverage — you can purchase it as an add-on (also known as an endorsement) through most insurance companies.
What To Do After A Rideshare Accident In Brooklyn?
After a rideshare accident, your health should be your top priority. If you have been injured, get medical attention immediately and keep track of all related costs; this information will be key in building your personal injury case later on. Be sure to write down as many details about the accident while they’re still fresh in your mind.
We know it can be confusing and difficult to remember what to do right after a car accident. That’s why we recommend you immediately contact an experienced Brooklyn rideshare accident attorney who knows how to handle these types of cases in order to protect your rights. Don’t wait until it’s too late – call Rosenberg & Rodriguez today for a free consultation so that we can get started on your personal injury claim.
Contact Our Brooklyn Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today
If you’re the victim of a rideshare accident in Brooklyn, it’s up to you to collect and present evidence about the crash and your injuries in a way that will convince Uber’s insurance company to pay you a fair amount. This can be difficult or even impossible to do while you’re recovering in a hospital.
Night and day, cars are everywhere ferrying people to and from all sorts of destinations. That’s why if you, unfortunately, got injured during an accident with one of these rideshare services, like Uber or Lyft, then at the very least you should have a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer specializing in cases like yours. We are experienced in not only dealing with insurance policies for companies such as Uber but also overcoming any potential hurdles so that you’re fully compensated for your damages. Contact our Brooklyn rideshare accident lawyers today at Rosenberg & Rodriguez to learn more about how we can help.