- Need Help From a Queens Rideshare Accident Attorney?
- What Sets Us Apart From Other Accident Lawyers in Queens
- Do I Have a Case for My Rideshare Accident?
- What Is My Rideshare Accident Case Worth?
- Common Types of Injuries in Rideshare Accident Claims
- How a Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help
- What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Rideshare Accident Case in New York?
- Our Process for a Rideshare Accident Case
Need Help From a Queens Rideshare Accident Attorney?
Rideshare drivers generally spend a lot of time checking their app and racing to catch their next fare, so it's not surprising that a lot of them aren't as careful as they should be when driving on the road.
If you've been injured in a rideshare accident as a pedestrian, passenger, or driver in Queens, call Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP. Our Queens car accident attorneys will find the best strategy for maximizing your compensation.
What Sets Us Apart From Other Accident Lawyers in Queens
WRSMH has been getting justice for accident victims in Queens for over 50 years. We'll find out who's liable for your injuries and file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP | Rideshare Accident Law Firm in Queens
- We've won over two billion dollars for our clients!
- We have a perfect 10/10 AVVO score.
- Our firm has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine.
- Members: Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- We're AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell—the highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability.
- Our firm has been recognized as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report.
Schedule a Free Consultation—Call (212) 986-7353 Today
Do I Have a Case for My Rideshare Accident?
Determining if you have a case after a Queens rideshare accident involves evaluating several factors. The first step is establishing who was at fault. Was it the rideshare driver, another driver on the road, or a combination of both? Next, you'll want to consider the severity of your injuries. During your free consultation with WRSMH, we'll assess the details of the accident and advise you on the strength of your claim.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Policies
All Lyft and Uber drivers are required to carry their own private insurance, but these rideshare companies also provide additional coverage based on the driver's level of engagement with the rideshare app at the time of the accident. For example, phase one occurs when the rideshare app is off and the driver is using their car for personal use. In this phase, the driver's personal auto insurance typically applies. During phase two, the rideshare app is on but the driver hasn't accepted a ride request. During this time, rideshare companies often provide limited liability coverage, which may not cover all damages. And phase three begins when the driver accepts a ride request and ends only once the passenger exits the vehicle. In this phase, comprehensive rideshare insurance coverage is usually active, and it often includes liability, collision, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).
What Is My Rideshare Accident Case Worth?
A major consideration when determining the value of your Queens rideshare accident is the extent of your injuries and how they impact your life. That's why current and future medical expenses generally make up a significant portion of this type of personal injury claim. This includes expenses such as hospital bills, medication, therapy, and any necessary ongoing care. Victims of catastrophic injuries may also require home modifications such as wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, walk-in baths with grab bars, and voice-activated lights.
Lost wages also figure prominently in a personal injury claim, especially if your injuries prevent you from working for an extended period, impacting your future earning potential. And other considerations might include property damage to your vehicle.
Calculating noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, takes into account the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. You can also seek damages for experiencing a reduced quality of life if the accident prevents you from taking part in activities that previously brought you joy.
Common Types of Injuries in Rideshare Accident Claims
Evaluating the severity of your injuries involves a careful consideration of how your short- and long-term health is affected. Severe injuries could necessitate a lifetime of assisted living care, which can be extremely costly. For example, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which are among the most severe outcomes of rideshare accidents in Queens, occur when a sudden impact or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function. Symptoms may include headaches, confusion, memory loss, and personality changes.
Back injuries include herniated discs, an intensely painful condition that dramatically limits mobility. Paralysis caused by spinal injury could result in a complete loss of sensation and prevent all motion below the point of injury. Bone fractures often require surgery followed by an extended period of recuperation, and these injuries can also cause chronic pain. Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, might not be immediately visible but could lead to life-threatening complications if not treated promptly. Diagnostic tests like CT scans or MRIs are often needed to identify the extent of internal damage.
Severe burns may occur if a vehicle catches fire or if the victim comes into contact with a hot surface from the impact during the accident. These types of injuries often require extensive medical care, including surgeries and long-term rehabilitation. Not to mention how immense the physical and emotional toll from such injuries can be. Reconstructive surgery may also be necessary to treat disfigurement caused by burns.
How a Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help
As soon as our investigation is complete, Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, will file a claim or lawsuit against anyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries. This may include:
- The rideshare driver
- The rideshare corporation
- Drivers of other vehicles involved in the accident
- Manufacturers of defective vehicles
Avoiding Mistakes That Could Jeopardize Your Settlement
Avoiding common mistakes is crucial to strengthening your Queens rideshare accident case. One of the most frequent errors is delaying medical treatment, which can undermine the severity of your injuries in the eyes of insurance companies. Attending all medical appointments and following your doctor's advice is important for protecting your claim.
When speaking with the police officer who's investigating the accident, other parties involved in the accident, witnesses, or an insurance company agent, do not admit fault. Just try to avoid speculating about accident details.
You also don't accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company. This is generally going to be much less than you deserve and will be woefully inadequate to cover your medical bills and other expenses caused by the accident. Further, never make a recorded statement, and don't allow them to trick you into signing any agreements because this can jeopardize your claim. In general, it's best to allow your attorney to handle all communications with the insurance agent.
Further, don't discuss your case on social media. Even when you use your privacy settings, lawyers and insurance companies can gain access to your posts and use this information against you.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Rideshare Accident Case in New York?
The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a rideshare accident in Queens. Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to initiate legal proceedings. If you miss this deadline, you may be barred from pursuing compensation through the court system.
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Our Process for a Rideshare Accident Case
After identifying liable parties, WRSMH will send a demand letter that clearly spells out the damages we are seeking. The next step is negotiating with the insurance companies. If the other side refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer, we won't hesitate to take your case to trial.
The Benefits of a Free Consultation
During your free consultation, Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, will assess the value of your claim and answer any questions you have about our law firm and the legal process. This free consultation is a wonderful opportunity to find out if our law firm is a good fit for you, as having the right Queens rideshare accident attorney by your side can make a big difference.
We Will Gather All the Critical Evidence in Your Case
WRSMH will collect the evidence we need to build a compelling case about how the accident occurred so we can advocate for a fair settlement. Medical records provide a detailed account of your injuries, treatments, and recovery process and are crucial to demonstrating the severity of your injuries during negotiations.
Eyewitness testimony can further significantly strengthen your rideshare accident case by providing a clear, unbiased perspective on the events that transpired. WRSMH frequently calls upon professional testimony from specialists like accident reconstructionists who analyze the scene and vehicles involved. This scientific approach can be compelling in court, adding weight to your claims.
Accident scene photos also capture important details like vehicle positions, road conditions, skid marks, and traffic signs that might have contributed to the accident. We will also obtain any available videos from security cameras and dashcams.
Negotiating Your Settlement
As soon as your claim is filed, WRSMH begins negotiations with the insurance companies. Insurance adjusters will often try to save money by denying valid claims, arguing that their client isn't responsible for the accident, or downplaying the impact of your injuries. We've seen all these tactics before and know how to counter them.
We'll manage all communications with the insurance company and negotiate assertively on your behalf by presenting evidence and documentation that support the full value of your claim.
What Is Considered Negligence in a Rideshare Accident Case?
The duty of care is a legal obligation that requires rideshare drivers to drive safely and obey traffic laws to protect passengers and others on the road. This means being cautious and making sensible decisions while driving. To prove liability, you must demonstrate that the rideshare driver's negligent actions directly caused your injuries.
Speeding is a common example of negligent driving in rideshare accidents. Traffic violations such as running a red light or failing to yield are another example that endangers rideshare passengers and other road users. This is also related to tailgating, which is a common cause of rear-end collisions.
Distracted driving, such as texting, eating, or adjusting the GPS, can lead to catastrophic accidents. In Queens rideshare accident cases, evidence such as phone records and witness testimony can be used to establish driver distraction. And closely related is fatigued driving, which occurs when a driver is too tired to operate a vehicle safely. This is a common hazard for rideshare drivers who often work long hours. Finally, driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the major examples of negligence in car accidents.
Some of Our Case Results
$8.326 Million Verdict | Personal Injuries Sustained as a Result of a Motor Vehicle Accident
A Suffolk County jury awarded an $8.3 million verdict to our client who, on October 2, 2014, was attempting to make a left turn onto the westbound service road of the Long Island Expressway when her vehicle was struck by a commercial van traveling in the opposite direction.
$6.5 Million | Man Hit by Truck in Queens
Attorneys Bryce Moses and Ashley Jacoby from Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP secured a $6,500,000 verdict for a 51-year-old undocumented Queens man after a nine-day trial for damages. The client was injured when a waste removal truck struck him in a crosswalk, causing a concussion, shoulder and elbow injuries, and necessitating spinal surgeries due to herniations. Despite the defendants' arguments of non-serious injury and comparative negligence, the jury found the client was not negligent and awarded $3,400,000 for past pain and suffering and $3,100,000 for future pain and suffering, surpassing the defendants' $1,500,000 settlement offer.
$6.2 Million Recovery for New York Intersection Accident
The firm 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. Our client claimed that a truck, which was also turning left in a large intersection, came into her lane, sideswiping her. The defendant claimed that the plaintiff came into his lane, sideswiping him, and further claimed that she was on the phone and distracted at the time of the accident. The police report attributed fault to both parties. After a trial on liability, the jury unanimously found the defendant 100% responsible for the accident. A trial on damages followed, where our client claimed to have sustained a severe neck injury that required surgery. The defendant claimed that our client's neck problem was due solely to her advancing age and highlighted that she did not seek any immediate medical treatment. They further claimed that our client had a very good result after her surgery. The firm successfully overcame the defense's allegations, and the jury awarded our client $6.2 million for her pain and suffering.
What Some of Our Clients Have to Say About Us
"They Worked Endlessly and Relentlessly" (5-Star Google Review)
Shout out to Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, for the hard work and patience with me and this case. It took long, but they worked endlessly and relentlessly to make sure we got a good ending to this case. I recommend this firm.
"So Knowledgeable and Confident In Their Ability" - Carey Dooley (5-Star Google Review)
I went to NY to enjoy the beautiful city and, while visiting a tourist destination in Times Square, was injured. I was badly hurt and put in an awful position being self-employed with cruddy insurance, so I needed help and fast results. I was so blessed to find Ken Halperin and Ashley Jacoby. I was from another state, so, in my opinion, I [assumed] I would be more of a hassle client by other lawyers--[I was] even turned down by one, saying they didn't feel like it was something worth taking on. I was impressed by the way I was treated [at WRSMH]. The compassion Ken and Ashley showed made me feel like they cared more about me than anything else; [they] even called me often just to check on my condition. I felt like [with] every question I had, they were ahead but took the time to listen and make sure that all my concerns were being addressed. Both Ken and Ashley were so knowledgeable and confident in their ability, I was able to focus on my healing. They were able to secure a very sizable settlement when I needed it the most. I can't say enough about [WRSMH].
Other Types of Injury Cases We Handle
Other Locations We Serve in New York
Call Our Queens Rideshare Accident Law Firm Today
Call us at (212) 986-7353 to discuss your case—your initial consultation is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a rideshare accident law firm in New York?
Nothing. There are never any upfront costs with WRSMH, and we won't charge you anything unless we win you a settlement.
Do I have to go to court to get a good settlement?
Not necessarily. Many defendants are willing to offer a reasonable settlement offer when faced with the prospect of challenging WRSMH in court.
Do I have to accept the first offer I get from the insurance company?
No, you don't. In fact, it's probably a lowball offer that doesn't come close to covering your expenses. WRSMH will advise you of your options, and we'll handle all negotiations with the insurance company.
How do I find out how much my claim is worth?
The severity of your injuries is a major factor in determining the value of a personal injury claim. Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, will advise you about the potential amount of a rideshare accident settlement.
What should I do after a rideshare accident in New York?
Call 911, see your doctor right aways, take pictures of the accident scene, and call WRSMH at (212) 986-7353.