Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies offer a convenient way to get around Garden City and other parts of Long Island. But when accidents happen, recovering compensation can be challenging for injured people. As experienced Garden City car accident lawyers, The Saul Law Firm, LLP, can protect your rights after an Uber or Lyft accident and help you seek compensation for your losses. We have over 50 years of combined experience and understand the details that make or break these cases. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free case review.
Common Causes of Garden City Uber and Lyft Accidents
- Distracted Driving – Rideshare drivers rely on their phones for navigation, ride requests, and communication with passengers. Constantly checking them can take their eyes off the road and increase the chances of an accident.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving – Uber and Lyft drivers often feel pressure to complete rides quickly to maximize their earnings. This can lead to speeding, aggressive lane changes, and running red lights, which puts passengers and other drivers in danger.
- Drowsy Driving – Many rideshare drivers work long shifts or drive late at night, leading to intense fatigue. Drowsy drivers have slower reaction times and may even fall asleep at the wheel, causing severe crashes.
- Failure to Yield or Follow Traffic Laws – Some rideshare drivers make illegal turns, fail to yield, or ignore stop signs to pick up or drop off passengers faster. These careless actions can cause dangerous collisions if the rideshare driver puts their vehicle into the path of oncoming cars.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance – Rideshare drivers are responsible for maintaining their cars, but some neglect basic upkeep. Worn-out brakes, bald tires, or faulty headlights can contribute to accidents, especially in bad weather or at night.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Rideshare Accident
Whether you were injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft in Garden City or a rideshare driver hit your car, getting fair compensation isn’t always straightforward. The available insurance coverage depends on whether the driver was logged into the app, had accepted a ride, or was carrying a passenger. While Uber and Lyft may provide insurance for their drivers, their insurance companies often contest these cases to avoid paying large claims. Meanwhile, the driver’s personal insurance may or may not have to provide coverage or may just deny liability altogether. Without an experienced attorney, you might struggle to get full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Do Uber and Lyft Cover Accidents Involving Their Drivers?
Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers, but the extent of this coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of an accident.
When the App Is Off
If a driver is not logged into the rideshare app, their personal auto insurance applies.
When the App Is On, Awaiting a Ride Request
Both Uber and Lyft maintain third-party liability insurance for accidents occurring while the driver is available but has not yet accepted a ride. This coverage includes up to $50,000 per person for bodily injuries, $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. Remember that this coverage applies only if the Uber or Lyft driver caused the crash.
When En Route to Pick Up Passengers or During a Trip
Once an Uber or Lyft driver accepts a ride and is either en route to pick up passengers or actively transporting them, the insurance coverage these companies provide increases significantly. Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability insurance during this period. Additionally, contingent comprehensive and collision coverage is available, which covers the driver’s vehicle up to its actual cash value, subject to a $2,500 deductible. However, this contingent coverage applies only if the driver also carries comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy. Similarly, it’s vital to know that this increased coverage only applies during these specific phases of a fare and if the Uber or Lyft driver caused the collision.
Lastly, insurance policies can vary by state and can change with little or no warning. For instance, Lyft notes that in the five boroughs of New York City (which does not include most of Long Island), specific insurance requirements may differ.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Garden City
Follow these steps to protect your rights if you’re injured in a Lyft or Uber crash in Garden City:
- Call the police and let them know there’s been an accident.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you have severe injuries. If you have minor injuries, wait until the police release you from the scene once they finish their investigation.
- Before leaving the scene, get the rideshare driver’s name, phone number, address, driver’s license information, personal insurance information, and company insurance information.
- Attend all follow-up appointments and save your medical records.
- Hold on to any receipts related to the crash to prove your financial losses.
- Report the crash to your insurance company and Uber or Lyft, but don’t give a recorded statement or speculate about the fault. Stick to the essential facts of the crash.
- Contact a Garden City rideshare accident lawyer for legal assistance.
Compensation in Garden City Rideshare Accident Claims
With help from an experienced and dedicated attorney, your compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident could include money for:
- Lost income
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damaged personal property
Contact Our Garden City Rideshare Accident Attorney
In most cases, you have three years from the date of a Garden City rideshare accident to file a lawsuit against any liable parties. The Saul Law Firm, LLP, can help you pursue the money you need to rebuild your life after an Uber or Lyft crash. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
The Saul Law Firm, LLP helps clients throughout Garden City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westbury, Uniondale, Hempstead, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, New York City, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County.