Albany Rideshare Accident Lawyer

An Albany rideshare accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you navigate the claims process following an accident caused by a rideshare driver or while you were in a Lyft or Uber. Our team provides case assessments for accident victims following collisions involving rideshare drivers. We can evaluate your options for seeking compensation based on the unique facts of your accident case.

You can reach the Morelli Law Firm team by phone or online. We will ask you about your accident, including what happened and who was involved. We will also want to talk to you about your injuries, prognosis, the time you missed at work, and more. This will allow us to assess your options effectively.

New York Requires Rideshare Companies to Ensure Drivers Have Insurance Coverage

In Albany and other areas of New York State, there are laws in effect that allow rideshare companies to operate so long as they follow strict rules. These rules include providing either primary or contingent insurance coverage for their drivers, riders, and accident victims any time their driver is signed into the app. Both Uber and Lyft have similar coverage that depends on whether the driver is looking for a rider, matched with a rider, or has a rider in the car.

In New York, the rideshare insurance coverage rules are even more stringent than the coverage generally provided by these companies. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), New York’s ridesharing laws require Uber and Lyft to provide at least $1.25 million of liability insurance coverage per accident, an increase over their typical $1 million policy. For this reason, rideshare companies operating in New York State provide $1.25 million in liability policies.

This is the primary policy that covers serious injuries suffered by riders or others involved in an accident caused by a rideshare driver when:

• The driver is on the way to pick up a rider, known as being “matched” with a rider
• The driver has a rider in the vehicle

Contingency Liability Coverage

There is contingency liability coverage available if the driver is on the app but not yet matched with a rider. However, their insurance coverage will not pay for the accident victim’s injuries. There is also uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage available.

The Morelli Law Firm understands how to determine if your injuries qualify as “serious” under New York law and if you can pursue a fault-based claim in your accident. Call for your case evaluation to learn more.

Morelli Law Firm Pursues Compensation for Accident Victims

A rideshare accident lawyer in Albany knows how stressful it is to suffer injuries in a car accident and not know what to do or who to call for help. Navigating the claims process following a rideshare crash is not always easy. It can be especially complex because of the number of steps necessary and the unusual number of parties involved.

Not only do we need to determine which insurance policy was in effect and where to send our client’s claim, but we still need to gather evidence and prove the case. In some cases, the rideshare driver is not the only liable party.

Proving Liability

The rideshare company may be negligent – and therefore liable – in the accident. This could occur if they ignored reports about the driver’s behavior behind the wheel or previous incidents on their driving record.

Our team handles every step of the claims process for our clients, leaving them time and energy to focus on healing from their injuries and returning to work to get back to a more normal life.

You can learn more about our services and how we protect victims’ rights and advocate for their best interests by talking to a team member from Morelli Law Firm. Call our legal team today.

Recovering Damages in an Albany, NY Traffic Accident

There generally are three ways victims of an Albany rideshare accident can recover compensation for their damages:

File a Claim Based on Their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Policy

A PIP claim provides quick compensation for reasonable medical care costs, a portion of your lost wages, and up to $25 a day for other related expenses.

File a Claim Based on the Driver’s or Rideshare Company’s Liability Policy

A third-party claim based on an auto liability policy provides additional medical needs, lost income and benefits, additional relevant expenses, and non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and more intangible losses.

File a Civil Suit in Court and Go to Trial

The recoverable damages are the same as in a liability claim. However, we will need to convince the judge and jury of them during a trial.

Common Damages You Can Claim in a Rideshare Accident

The specific damages you will be able to recover after your car accident vary based on the particulars of your situation. Some of the most common damages that injury victims can claim after a rideshare accident include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical costs
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Lowered earning capacity
• Permanent disability
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship

Your attorney can help identify which damages apply to your case and evaluate the total cost of each type that you claim.

The Cost of Hiring a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Albany

If you choose to hire a rideshare accident lawyer to assist you in your pursuit of financial compensation, it is important to be aware of the cost of doing so. Lawyers in many other fields charge their clients for every minute they spend working on their cases. However, the same is not true of most personal injury lawyers.

Rideshare accident attorneys, along with other personal injury attorneys, typically work on a contingency fee basis. That means that they only get paid if they are able to secure compensation for their client. This system makes it so that everyone can afford to hire an Albany rideshare accident attorney since they will never pay their attorney a penny out of pocket.

Your Statute of Limitations on Holding the At-Fault Driver or Rideshare Company Liable in PA

If we represent you in your claim or legal case for compensation, we like to get to work as soon as possible. The earlier you call us, the faster we can begin identifying evidence and building support for your claim.

There are also deadlines that apply in these cases. PIP policies often have claims deadlines, and there is a three-year time limit on filing lawsuits in these cases set by New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CVP) §214. Missing any of these deadlines could significantly harm your case and the potential value of your financial recovery.

Speak to a Member of Our Rideshare Accident Team Today in Albany

If you sustained serious injuries in a rideshare accident, our team wants to discuss what happened and learn more about your injuries and damages. If we believe we can help you navigate the claims process and secure a payout for your losses, an Albany Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm will offer to represent you on a contingency basis.

You can talk to a team member from Morelli Law Firm for free today. Call to get started with your complimentary consultation and accident assessment.