New York Uber Accident Lawyers
New York Uber Accident Cases Team Lead
Founding Attorney
Many New York City residents rely on Uber drivers on a daily basis, and residents and visitors across the state routinely request Ubers to get them where they need to go. Unfortunately, while this is usually a straightforward transaction, sometimes Uber rides end with collisions resulting in serious injuries.
Our New York Uber accident lawyers provide experienced legal representation for rideshare accident victims in New York City and statewide. If you need to speak with an experienced Uber accident lawyer, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. We have the experience required to hold rideshare drivers’ insurance companies accountable, and we can also deal with Uber’s insurance company on your behalf if necessary.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After an Uber Crash
If you were injured in an accident caused by an Uber driver, you have clear legal rights. These rights include:
The Right to Seek Just Compensation
Whether you were injured while riding in an Uber or you got hit by a New York City Uber driver, you have the right to seek just compensation. This includes compensation for any property damage, for the costs of your medical care (and any other out-of-pocket expenses), for your lost wages, and for various other financial and non-financial losses.
To protect your right to seek just compensation, you should seek medical attention promptly, and you should hire an experienced rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible. While you may be entitled to full and fair compensation, waiting to take action could prevent you from recovering the compensation you deserve.
The Right to File a Claim Under the Uber Driver’s (or Uber’s) Insurance Policy
In most cases, seeking compensation for an Uber accident will involve dealing with the Uber driver’s personal insurance policy. Uber drivers are required to carry liability coverage under New York law. If the Uber driver’s personal insurance policy isn’t enough, you can file a claim with Uber’s insurance company. You may have the option of filing a claim under your own insurance policy as well, though this typically won’t be necessary.
The Right to Hire an Uber Accident Lawyer at No Out-of-Pocket Cost
When you have a rideshare accident case, you have the right to hire an Uber accident lawyer to fight for financial compensation on your behalf at no out-of-pocket cost. Uber passengers and other motorists who suffer severe injuries in rideshare crashes can face significant financial and non-financial losses, so it is important to have an experienced lawyer on your side.
Common Causes of Accidents Involving Uber Drivers
If you have a claim for an Uber accident in New York, seeking just compensation will require proof of why the accident happened. As a result, determining fault is a critical first step toward fighting to recover compensation for your medical treatment and other accident-related losses.
Uber accidents can result from a wide range of causes. However, most accidents involve negligence on the part of Uber drivers (or other drivers in some cases). This includes common forms of negligence such as:
- Aggressive driving (i.e., speeding or running a red light or stop sign)
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Reckless driving (i.e., turning or merging without looking)
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
Distracted drivers, tired drivers, and drivers who just aren’t being as careful as they should frequently make mistakes that could (and should) have been avoided. In many cases, these mistakes result in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and other catastrophic injuries with life-altering consequences. Like all negligent parties, negligent Uber drivers can be held accountable for the consequences of their mistakes, and seeking accountability starts with putting an experienced New York Uber accident attorney on your side.
What To Do if You Suffered Serious Injuries in a Car Accident Involving an Uber Driver
Regardless of why your accident occurred, there are some important steps you should take promptly. If you have tragically lost a family member in a fatal Uber accident, you should take these steps as well. To protect your legal rights, you should:
1. Write Down Everything You Know About the Accident
As soon as possible, you should write down everything you can remember about the accident. This includes everything you can remember about the moments leading up to the crash and what you observed at the accident scene. While we know this can be difficult, this is an important step to take before your memories from the accident start to fade.
2. Schedule a Free Consultation with an Uber Accident Attorney Promptly
Asserting your legal rights effectively will require experienced legal representation. To help give yourself the best chance of recovering maximum compensation for your losses, you should schedule a free consultation with an Uber accident attorney as soon as possible.
3. Do Your Best to Keep Track of Your Medical Expenses and Other Out-of-Pocket Costs
Uber accident victims who have grounds to file an insurance claim are entitled to compensation for their medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs. Grieving family members can seek compensation for their out-of-pocket costs resulting from their loved one’s accident as well. Going forward, you should do your best to keep track of these costs—though your attorney will be able to assist with gathering the documentation you need if necessary.
4. Do Your Best to Document the Non-Financial Consequences of the Accident
You should do your best to document the non-financial consequences of the accident as well. Suffering a serious bodily injury in an accident can impact your life in unexpected ways. In both personal injury and wrongful death cases, at-fault parties can be held duly liable for victims’ and family members’ emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
5. Avoid Making Any Assumptions About Your Legal Rights or the Insurance Coverage You Are Entitled To Receive
Multiple parties can potentially be liable for accidents involving Uber vehicles. With this in mind, you should avoid making any assumptions about your legal rights. Once you hire one of our experienced personal injury attorneys to represent you, your attorney will be able to explain everything you need to know in order to make informed decisions about seeking just compensation for your medical bills and other losses.
FAQs: Filing a Claim for an Uber Accident in New York
Yes and no. Uber and Lyft drivers are required to carry liability insurance in New York; and, in most cases, seeking just compensation for an Uber or Lyft accident that was the rideshare driver’s fault will involve dealing with the driver’s insurance company. However, victims of Uber and Lyft accidents may also need to deal with the rideshare companies’ insurers in some cases, and this can present additional challenges.
Should I Contact My Own Insurance Company After a Collision with an Uber Vehicle?
Generally, any time your vehicle is involved in an accident, you are required to report the accident to your insurance company. However, this does not necessarily mean that you need to seek coverage under your own insurance policy. If you were injured in an accident involving an Uber driver and the Uber driver was to blame, you should be able to seek coverage under the at-fault driver’s insurance policy instead.
Rideshare companies can be held liable for their drivers’ negligence in many cases. If you were injured in an accident caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, our rideshare accident attorneys can comprehensively assess your legal rights and pursue all viable claims on your behalf.
Does the Uber Driver’s Status at the Time of the Accident Matter?
If you were injured in an accident involving an Uber driver, the Uber driver’s status at the time of the accident matters in certain respects. The driver’s status (i.e., whether he or she was logged into the Uber app and/or providing a prearranged ride) can impact the insurance coverage that is available to you in some cases. Ultimately, however, if you have a claim, you are entitled to the full compensation you deserve, and an experienced attorney will be able to fight for just compensation on your behalf.
How Do I File an Insurance Claim After an Accident Involving an Uber Driver (or Lyft Driver)?
Since there are unique aspects to filing an insurance claim after an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, we strongly recommend hiring an experienced attorney to help you. As we said above, hiring a lawyer costs nothing out-of-pocket in this scenario, and an experienced lawyer will be able to take several important steps to help maximize your chances of a full financial recovery.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at Oberheiden Law Group Today
We provide experienced legal representation for victims of NYC Uber accidents and for victims of rideshare accidents statewide. To discuss your case with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers in confidence, call 866-781-9539 or request a free consultation online today.
Disclaimer:
The content on this site is informational only and describes mere allegations. The content does not suggest evidence, proof, or guaranteed liability. The merits of each case depend on specific facts. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. For more details, please see our FTC and general disclaimers. Oberheiden Law is the law firm in charge.
