Manhattan Rideshare Accident Lawyer

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Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized private transit in recent years. Unlike traditional taxi drivers and other public or private transit operators, rideshare drivers receive no formal training and only need relatively good driving records to be hired.

Despite our trust that Uber and Lyft drivers will get us safely to our destinations, they, like any other motorists, can make mistakes or act negligently.

If you are involved in a car accident with an Uber, Lyft, or similar rideshare vehicle – whether as a rideshare passenger, another vehicle’s occupant, or even as a pedestrian or cyclist – it’s crucial to contact an attorney who can protect your rights. Rideshare accident claims are complex, and significant rideshare companies often dispute their liability.

At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our attorneys can fight for you and ensure you receive the fair recovery you deserve.

Should You Hire Our Manhattan Rideshare Accident Attorneys if You’ve Been Injured in an Accident?

Uber and Lyft accident cases can be stressful and complicated for injury victims. These cases often involve numerous legal deadlines, requirements, and insurance carriers.

For these reasons, hiring our accident attorney can be highly beneficial, as they can handle these details and assist you with your claim.

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related damages if you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident. Our Manhattan personal injury lawyers will be your strongest advocate for your deserved compensation.

How Our Manhattan Uber & Taxi Accident Law Firm Can Provide Assistance

Pursuing fair compensation is important for your recovery when you’ve been seriously injured. A New York Uber accident lawyer can help you cover those expensive medical costs.

The impact of an accident isn’t just immediate – it can also affect your ability to work for the foreseeable future.

If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident and are now dealing with the insurance company, contact the experienced Manhattan Uber accident claim lawyers at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm.

Our expertise includes:

Valuating Your Claim

Proper valuation is key to receiving maximum compensation. The insurance company you’re dealing with may attempt to pay less than the full value of your claim.

Our adept accident attorney, experienced in dealing with insurance companies, knows how to evaluate your case’s worth accurately. This ensures you get the money needed to cover your injuries.

Speak with our diligent Uber accident attorney in your New York community immediately.

Determining Fault

Multiple parties can be responsible for your Taxi or Uber accident. New York’s injury law allows fault to be distributed among multiple parties and their insurance coverage. If you have car insurance, it may only cover a portion of your costs. You may need our Uber accident attorney to hold Uber or another driver accountable for their share of the blame.

Commercial insurance companies operate in complex ways. If Uber can be held responsible, its insurers will do all they can to make compensation difficult. If the insurance companies you’re dealing with attempt to escape liability, our Manhattan personal injury attorney can assist you.

Comparative Negligence

According to comparative negligence laws, someone can blame you for partial fault in your accident. NYC law allows the fault to be shared among multiple negligent parties.

If you share the blame for your Uber or taxi accident, your compensation award could be reduced by the percentage of fault you share.

What Makes Rideshare Accident Claims So Complex?

Rideshare accident claims are often complex due to several factors. Although companies like Uber and Lyft may offer coverage in certain situations, this coverage is contingent on various conditions.

Typically, it only applies when the driver’s personal injury liability insurance does not cover the accident damages. Moreover, Uber and Lyft generally only pay for damages when it can be proven that the rideshare driver was at fault for the accident.

Under New York’s pure comparative negligence laws, you can still seek compensation even if you were partially to blame for the crash, but the rideshare company may use your partial fault to dispute or deny your claim.

Rideshare companies further complicate matters by classifying their drivers as “independent contractors” rather than “employees.” Generally, employers are liable for the actions of their employees while they are working.

However, this liability does not extend to independent contractors, allowing rideshare companies to dispute liability even when the rideshare driver is clearly at fault.

This dispute can arise if the rideshare driver was allegedly violating company policies or acting with extreme negligence, such as illegally using a cell phone while driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

How Are Uber and Lyft Different?

When an individual driving their car is responsible for an accident, they are typically liable for damages, and their insurance company will handle the payment. In contrast, when a traditional taxi driver is responsible for an accident while on duty, the taxi company is usually liable for damages, and the company’s insurance carrier steps in.

Rideshare drivers occupy a unique middle ground where liability isn’t always clear. These drivers operate their vehicles, making them similar to individual drivers.

They must carry insurance and are not employees of the rideshare company. Their vehicles switch from personal to commercial use and use an app again.

Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage in Manhattan, but the coverage varies based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. Motor vehicle accidents are inevitable, so it’s crucial to be adequately protected.

Off Duty: When the driver is off duty and using the vehicle for personal reasons, Uber and Lyft provide no coverage. The driver must rely on their personal liability insurance as New York law requires.
On Duty, No Passenger: If the driver is on duty, with the app engaged and waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft offer insurance coverage with relatively low limits.
On Duty, With Passenger: If the driver is on the way to pick up a rider or has a passenger in the car, the rideshare company’s $1 million+ coverage becomes active.

Why do Manhattan Rideshare Accidents Happen?

Rideshare accidents are frequent on the bustling streets of Manhattan. Several factors contribute to these collisions:

Distracted Driving: Rideshare drivers use apps to connect with passengers and navigate pick-up and drop-off locations. This dependency on mobile devices can lead to distractions, increasing the likelihood of errors and accidents.
Negligent Driving: The pressure to maximize earnings by accepting more trips can lead to risky behaviors such as driving while fatigued, speeding, and ignoring traffic laws. Additionally, unfamiliarity with certain areas can further contribute to unsafe driving practices.
Vehicle Mechanical Issues: Rideshare drivers typically use their vehicles, which may not always be properly maintained. Mechanical problems, such as brake failure or worn tires, can significantly raise the risk of accidents.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident?

If you are involved in an accident with an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare vehicle, follow these steps to ensure your safety and protect your rights:

Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others for any injuries. If necessary, call 911 immediately to dispatch paramedics to the scene for emergency medical care.
Contact the Police: Always call the police to file an official accident report, even if there are no apparent severe injuries.
Gather Information: Obtain the rideshare driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details. Also, please note the rideshare company they are affiliated with.
Document the Incident: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any vehicle damage. Speak to witnesses, record their statements, and write down everything you can remember about the incident.
Report the Accident: Notify the rideshare company (Uber, Lyft, etc.) about the accident. This can usually be done online or via phone.
Seek Medical Attention: If you were not treated at the scene or hospitalized, visit a medical professional as soon as possible. It’s important to get a thorough examination after any motor vehicle accident.
Inform Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance provider about the accident. Do not speak with adjusters from the rideshare driver’s insurance company or the rideshare company without legal advice.
Consult a Lawyer: Speak with a Manhattan personal injury attorney about your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to a significant settlement or have grounds for a lawsuit.

At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we can guide you through your options following an Uber or Lyft accident in New York City. These cases can be complex, but our experienced rideshare accident attorneys have the knowledge and resources to effectively advocate for you.

Common Causes of Manhattan Uber Accidents

Uber accidents in Manhattan can stem from various events, behaviors, or situations. Each crash is unique, but some common scenarios and driver behaviors typically contribute to these incidents.

Driving While Distracted

Distracted driving is a nationwide issue, but Uber drivers face numerous distractions in Manhattan. While using handheld devices to talk or text is illegal in New York, Uber drivers rely on their phones for the app.

Other distractions include chatty or unruly passengers, adjusting vehicle settings, eating, reaching for items, or focusing on events off the road. When drivers do not keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their minds on driving, they risk causing accidents.

Driver Fatigue

Uber drivers often work long hours, especially in Manhattan. Although Uber enforces a 12-hour driving limit per day, this rule does not entirely prevent fatigue.

Many drivers have other jobs or drive for multiple ridesharing companies, leading to extended working hours. Fatigue impairs drivers’ abilities, increasing the risk of dangerous and potentially fatal accidents.

Driving Under the Influence

Uber drivers consuming alcohol or drugs during or before their shifts can cause severe accidents. Unlike commercial drivers, Uber drivers are not subject to regular drug and alcohol screenings or lower blood alcohol limits.

Both illegal and prescription substances can impair reaction times and decision-making, which is important for going through Manhattan’s busy streets safely.

Driving Too Fast for Conditions

Most Manhattan roads have a 25 mph speed limit, with a maximum of 50 mph on the island. While traffic usually prevents speeding, some Uber drivers exceed safe speeds, especially when completing more rides and earning more money.

Speeding increases the severity of crashes and the risk of fatalities. Additionally, driving too fast for road, traffic, or weather conditions makes it difficult to control the vehicle.

Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance

Uber drivers in New York City must obtain a Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) license, requiring vehicle inspections every four months. However, Uber does not monitor these inspections, and some drivers neglect maintenance between inspections.

Failure to regularly check fluids, inspect systems, and maintain tires and brakes can lead to mechanical failures or blowouts, resulting in serious accidents and potential liability for the driver.

Manhattan Taxi and Uber Accident Injuries

If you’ve been injured in a taxi or Uber accident in Manhattan, you deserve fair compensation to cover your medical bills. Our Manhattan personal injury law firm is here to help you navigate the complexities of your case and ensure you receive the compensation you need.

We assist clients with a range of Uber accident injuries, including:

Amputations
Broken bones
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Paralysis
Concussions
Eye injuries
Whiplash
Nerve damage
Soft tissue injuries
Burn injuries
Organ damage
Catastrophic injuries
Wrongful death

A taxi accident can drastically impact your life. Missing just a few weeks of work can cause your bills to pile up, adding to stress. It’s important to keep track of your accident-related expenses and take the necessary steps to protect your rights after an Uber accident.

The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is here to support you every step of the way.

Contact Our Manhattan Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today!

Handling the consequences can be intricate if you’ve been involved in an accident with an Uber, Lyft, or ride-sharing vehicle. It’s essential to have a skilled legal advocate on your side to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

Our team of Manhattan rideshare accident lawyers is highly experienced in managing these cases.

At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we have a solid track record of successfully representing clients in claims against rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. Our primary objective is to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.

We provide detailed legal services, including initial investigations, settlement negotiations, litigation, and more. Contact us today at (516) 689-1132 for a complimentary evaluation of your case, or fill out our online contact form to explore your legal options.