What Is a Rideshare Company’s Liability in a New York Car Crash?
It wasn't too long ago that the only rideshare car accidents that happened in New York involved carpools. Now, with the rapid growth of rideshare companies such as Lyft and Uber, more and more New York car accidents involve personal vehicles used for commercial purposes. This can lead to complicated liability issues for passengers in the rideshare car and for occupants of other vehicles.
The physical, emotional, and financial repercussions after a car accident can be devastating not just for victims, but also their family. The experienced New York City car accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP will help injured victims and their families secure fair and full compensation for all their losses. Call us at (212) 986-7353.
Steps to Protect Your Rights
In some ways, a rideshare accident should be no different than an accident involving two non-commercial drivers. Whether you are a passenger in the rideshare vehicle or riding in another vehicle, there are several steps you can take to protect your rights:
- Call the authorities and remain at the crash site
- Make sure you name and information is in the police report. Get a copy of the report for your own records
- Collect phone numbers and insurance information from everyone involved as well as contact information for eyewitnesses
- Take photos of the vehicles, the crash site and your injuries
- Seek and get prompt medical attention and treatment for your injuries
- Contact an experienced New York City attorney to discuss your case
You might be offered compensation from the at-fault driver for the injuries you have suffered. Make sure your settlement includes support not only for your immediate medical bills, but also your future medical expenses, your lost wages, and even compensation for your pain and suffering.
Understanding the Challenges in New York
The process of receiving fair compensation for your injuries may be difficult if the at-fault driver is a rideshare independent contractor. If the at-fault driver is an Uber or Lyft driver, you may struggle to receive the support you need. You should be able to pursue compensation from the rideshare insurance. Technically, Uber and Lyft are responsible for the actions of their drivers who are engaged in a ride request. There has been a history of denied claims because these companies only connect drivers to consumers and don't actually own the vehicles or train the drivers.
One of the reasons why officials were hesitant to let rideshare companies work within New York is because of the lack of regulation and the potential for liability issues. It's still unclear how much liability rideshare companies will handle in the event of an accident and enough time has not passed to confirm that it will be a serious issue for New York residents.
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Speak with a NYC Rideshare Car Accident Lawyer
If you've been injured in a rideshare car accident, it may be in your best interest to speak with a NYC injury lawyer about your legal rights and options. Whether it is from the at-fault driver or from the rideshare company, you should receive fair compensation for the injuries you have suffered.
The New York City rideshare car accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP are here to help. Call us at (212) 986-7353 for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.
Additional Information
Our Car Accident Case Results
$8.3 Million - New York State Record-Setting Verdict for Single Level Cervical Discectomy
Pursuant to the New York Jury Verdict Reporter, WRSMH attorney Frank J. Lombardo obtained the highest recorded verdict in the State of New York for a single level cervical discectomy.
Frank Lombardo
$6.2 Million - Intersection Accident
WRSMH attorney was able to obtain a jury verdict in the amount of $6.2 million on behalf of our client, a 60-year-old Brooklyn woman involved in a motor vehicle accident.
WRSMH LLP
$5.5 Million - New York Motor Vehicle Accident
WRSMH attorney Bryce Moses obtained a verdict in the amount of $5,500,000 for our client who was exiting the Staten Island Expressway when her motor vehicle was struck by a Con Edison van.
Bryce Moses
$4.5 Million - Two Passengers Injured in Rear-end Accident
Jay Wechsler obtained an excellent result at the early stages of a case for two clients who were injured in a rear-end accident.
Jay Wechsler
$3.4 Million - Two Backseat Passengers Suffered Severe Injuries in Rear-End Accident
Konstantin Burshteyn successfully represented two backseat passengers who suffered injuries in a rear-end accident.
Konstantin Burshteyn
$3.3 Million - Client Struck By Van While On a Scooter
WRSMH attorney obtained a large settlement for a man who was injured after being struck by a van while on a scooter.
WRSMH LLP
$3 Million - NY Motor Vehicle Accident
Cliff Shapiro and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $3,000,000 on behalf of a forty-five year old man from Queens who suffered injuries to his neck and lower back in a crash.
Clifford Shapiro
$2.9 Million - NY Access-A-Ride Van Accident
WRSMH settled the case of our client who was hit by an Access-A-Ride van after mediation and before trial for $2.9 million dollars.
WRSMH LLP
$2.8 Million - Three Car Auto Accident in NY
WRSMH attorney obtained a $2.8 million settlement during trial for our client who was involved in a three car accident. The plaintiff was struck twice from behind in a rear-end collision involving two vehicles.
WRSMH LLP
$2.766 Million - Passenger Injured in Sideswipe
Konstantin Burshteyn represented a client, a passenger in a vehicle, who sustained multiple injuries in a sideswipe accident.
Konstantin Burshteyn
$2.75 Million - Rear-end Van Accident in Queens
Douglas Milch obtained a large settlement for a group of individuals injured in a van accident in Queens on the Grand Central Parkway.
Douglas Milch
$2.75 Million - NY Intersection Car Accident
Phil Russotti and Kenneth Halperin obtained a settlement for our client in the amount of $2,750,000, in this case in which the plaintiff's motor vehicle was struck in the rear.
Philip Russotti, Kenneth Halperin
$2.5 Million - New York Motor Vehicle Accident
Kenneth Halperin obtained a combined settlement in the amount of $2,500,000 for a 66 year old woman and her 32 year old daughter who were injured in a motor vehicle accident.
Kenneth Halperin
$2.5 Million - Queens County Resident's Vehicle Hit by Rental Truck
Douglas Milch obtained a large settlement for a Queens County resident who was injured in a collision with a rental truck.
Douglas Milch
$2.3 Million - Sideswipe Accident Causes Serious Injury
Michael Fitzpatrick obtained a large settlement for an immigrant, who was a passenger in a vehicle that was sideswiped in a Brooklyn.
Michael Fitzpatrick
$2.25 Million - Permanent Injuries from Rear-end Accident In The Bronx
WRSMH attorney recently settled a case for a client who sustained permanent neck and back injuries after being rear-ended in the Bronx.
WRSMH LLP
$2.25 Million - Rear-End Motor Vehicle Collision
Our client sustained multiple injuries as the result of a rear-end motor vehicle collision.
Stephen Wagner
$2.25 Million - Passenger Injured in Rear-End Accident
Konstantin Burshteyn successfully represented a client who sustained multiple injuries as a passenger in a rear-end accident.
Konstantin Burshteyn
$2 Million - NY Rear-End Accident
Kenneth Halperin and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $2,000,000 on behalf of our client, a 40-year-old woman from Kings County.
Kenneth Halperin
$2 Million - New York Rear-End Collision
Kenneth Halperin and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $2,000,000 on behalf of our client, a 45-year-old man from Queens County.
Kenneth Halperin