Most New Yorkers use rideshare services on a regular basis, such as Uber or Lyft. While most people experience rides in Uber and Lyft vehicles without any serious kind of incident, these vehicles can be involved in auto accidents just as easily as any other car or driver. Accordingly, it is important to know how motor vehicle crashes involving rideshare automobiles can be handled, and what options a person may have to seek financial compensation for injuries. In part, the responses to these inquiries will depend upon whether the Uber driver (or another motorist) was at fault for the car accident, and whether the injured person was a rider in the Uber vehicle or was an occupant of another motor vehicle or was a pedestrian.
Consider the variety of ways in which an Uber or Lyft accident may occur in New York, the following are some key things you should know about rideshare accidents and seeking compensation for injuries.
Uber Has a Policy in Place for Reporting Accidents
Both Uber and Lyft have policies in place for reporting motor vehicle crashes. Both companies have an online form through which passengers (and anyone else involved in the collision) can report the accident to the rideshare company. In addition to reporting the accident to Uber or Lyft, you should also report the incident to your own insurance company as soon as possible—especially if you were not a passenger in the rideshare vehicle at the time of the collision—and you should also get in touch with a New York motor vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options for filing a claim.
Rideshare Drivers Should Have Two Different Insurance Policies
New York rideshare drivers should have at least two different insurance policies that can cover the cost of injuries incurred in an accident. Indeed, Uber drivers in New York must not only have the insurance policy provided by Uber, but they also need to have their own auto insurance policy. Uber’s own auto insurance policy includes liability coverage, as well as uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
If You are Injured While Riding in an Uber or in a Collision with a Riding Customer
If you are inside the Uber or Lyft vehicle as a customer when the accident happens, you may be eligible to seek compensation through Uber’s one million dollar liability insurance policy. This is also true if you are involved in an accident with an Uber carrying a customer.
If You are Not a Passenger and Were Hurt in an Uber Accident
If you were injured when an Uber driver was working but did not have a passenger—such as if you were in another vehicle or were a pedestrian or bicyclist—you may be eligible for benefits through contingency liability coverage from Uber. You may not be eligible for benefits from the Uber $1M liability coverage policy, however.
Uber is Not Responsible When the Driver is Not Working
If an Uber or Lyft driver is operating a vehicle off the clock, Uber or Lyft insurance is not applicable. Only the driver’s own auto insurance will be applicable to the accident.
Contact a New York Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If you have questions about filing a claim after being involved in a collision involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you should speak with a New York motor vehicle accident attorney about your case. Contact Leitner Varughese Warywoda PLLC for more information about how the personal injury lawyers at our firm can assist you.
