When victims are injured because of negligent Uber or Lyft drivers, suing rideshare companies is typically off the table. That said, there are still paths to recovery for victims in White Plains.
There are three main types of Lyft and Uber accidents that concern victims in White Plains. The first is accidents involving a rideshare driver when the app is off. In these cases, Lyft or Uber’s liability insurance will not apply. If you were injured when a rideshare driver was waiting for a ride request or finishing a ride, liability insurance might apply in varying amounts. Since rideshare drivers are independent contractors, companies like Lyft and Uber cannot be sued for a driver’s negligence. Depending on whether or not your injuries meet the serious injury threshold in White Plains, you might be able to sue a rideshare driver or any other driver whose negligence caused your damages and injuries.
To have our White Plains car accident lawyers assess your case for free, call The Martello Law Firm, PLLC now at (914) 685-6950.
The Three Types of Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accidents in White Plains
Although you cannot sue Uber or Lyft directly following an accident, both rideshare companies provide liability insurance that might be able to cover some or all of your damages following a collision in White Plains.
Despite being different rideshare companies, Uber and Lyft have similar liability insurance policies that apply to victims injured in accidents involving drivers from rideshare companies. The coverage that applies to your case will depend on the specific circumstances of the accident.
Accidents that Happen When the App is Off
If the Uber or Lyft app is off when you are injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, you will be unable to file a claim with the rideshare company’s liability insurance. And, because you were injured in White Plains, you might have to file a claim with your personal injury protection insurance or the driver’s liability insurance. Since New York is a no-fault state, you must establish that your injuries meet the serious injury threshold to sue the Uber or Lyft driver responsible for causing your injuries in White Plains.
Accidents that Happen When the Driver is Waiting for a Ride Request
Suppose the rideshare app was on and the driver was waiting for a ride request at the time of the crash. In that case, liability insurance for both rideshare companies is as follows: $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
Accidents that Happen When the Driver is En Route
Suppose the Uber or Lyft driver was en route to get a passenger, was dropping off a passenger, or was taking a passenger to their destination at the time of the accident. In that case, liability insurance is $1,000,000 per accident. Depending on your injuries and damages, this might result in sufficient compensation.
Suing for a Lyft or Uber Rideshare Accident in White Plains
Since rideshare companies often hire drivers as independent contractors, they are shielded from vicarious liability. This means that Lyft and Uber are not responsible for collisions their drivers might cause and cannot be sued for car accidents by victims in White Plains.
Simply put, you cannot sue Uber or Lyft for car accidents their drivers might cause. While you might be able to file a claim with the liability insurance these rideshare companies provide, such claims might not fully compensate you for your injuries, depending on their severity.
Victims can sue the Uber or Lyft driver responsible for a crash. Furthermore, if another negligent party caused your accident, you can file a lawsuit against them. For example, if you were in a Lyft or Uber and were hit by another driver, you could sue them for compensation as their negligence caused your damages.
Remember, New York follows a no-fault system for auto accidents. So, you will have to prove that your injuries are severe to recover compensation outside of what insurance can provide. This will require medical evidence of your injuries, so go to the hospital immediately after a Lyft or Uber accident in White Plains.
Are Rideshare Car Accidents Different from Other Car Accidents in White Plains?
Because the path to compensation following Lyft and Uber accidents can be a bit more complicated than other car accidents, it is crucial that victims take the necessary steps to protect their access to compensatory damages.
Rideshare accidents can be complicated. The specific circumstances of the incident will determine what you are entitled to, compensation-wise. For example, rideshare liability insurance coverage varies, depending on whether the driver was working at the time, was waiting for a passenger, or was actively transporting a passenger when an accident occurred. Because of this, it is important to document the circumstances of your incident within a police report. This will allow you to create documentation of what happened, which can support your future claim.
Since injuries sustained in Uber or Lyft accidents might be no different than injuries sustained in other auto accidents, they should be taken just as seriously. Get immediate care for your injuries from medical professionals. Recovering compensation from rideshare companies and negligent drivers can be difficult, so it is important to have ample evidence of your physical injuries and their cause.
The recovery process might get complicated because of the various insurance companies and parties possibly involved in a rideshare accident. Our Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers can help you navigate this process and support your case with evidence of negligence and your injuries so that you have a greater chance of recovery in White Plains.
Call Our White Plains Lawyers to Discuss Your Rideshare Accident
Call the White Plains personal injury lawyers of The Martello Law Firm, PLLC at (914) 685-6950 to schedule a free case evaluation.
