Long Island Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident with a rideshare driver on Long Island, you may have legal options. On your own, it can be difficult to determine which potential at-fault party or insurance provider to hold liable. If you or someone you love was injured in a ridesharing accident, you might have the basis of a personal injury claim.

A Long Island ridesharing accident lawyer may be able to help you sort out where to assign liability. Call Morelli Law Firm today to learn more about how you can pursue damages. During a free, no-obligation consultation, a team member can show you how a Long Island Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer could help you get the compensation you need.

The Problem with Distracted Driving

One of the biggest problems with rideshare services could be a rise in distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 9% of fatal crashes in 2019 were attributed to distracted driving.

In that same year, more than 3,100 people were killed in distracted driving accidents. Almost 600 of these people were non-occupants, including cyclists and pedestrians. Distracted driving is dangerous because it means that the driver’s attention is being diverted from the road. Playing with your phone or having noisy passengers are some common causes of distraction.

The driver of a Lyft or Uber vehicle is using an app on their phone to find passengers. They are usually relying on the navigation system as well. If they have passengers who are heading home after a night out, they could be rowdy or loud.

At the same time, pedestrians who are looking at their rideshare apps instead of their surroundings could be putting themselves in danger. All of these factors come together and make distractions one of the biggest problems of rideshare services.

You Might Be Eligible to File a Ridesharing Compensation Claim

Getting compensation from an at-fault ridesharing driver, their insurance company, or the ridesharing company’s insurance company may rely on your ability to prove the legal elements of negligence. The elements that help determine negligence and fault include:

• The at-fault driver’s duty of ordinary care
• The at-fault driver’s neglect of that duty
• The cause of your injuries
• The subsequent cost of your injuries

Make sure your legal team knows the circumstances of the accident and how to contact any witnesses. Witnesses of the ridesharing accident might have different perspectives that add to the proof of the at-fault driver’s negligence. Our legal team may work on building your evidence claim and on ensuring it is filed on time.

Ridesharing Company Insurance

It can be difficult to sort out what comes next after a collision involving a ridesharing vehicle. You might be involved as a:

• Driver or passenger in another vehicle
• A passenger in the ridesharing vehicle
• Bicyclist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian

When you need help determining what to do after a ridesharing accident, contact the legal team at Morelli Law Firm. A Long Island ridesharing accident lawyer can help you understand whether to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s private insurance or the ridesharing company’s insurance. We can also help you understand the coverage options each ridesharing company provides.

Uber Insurance

Uber has insurance policies that protect its passengers and drivers with varying amounts of coverage according to the driver’s activities at the time of the accident. When an Uber driver is not on the app, their personal insurance is in effect for any accident in which they get involved.

Uber’s third-party liability coverage covers a driver who is signed into the app and waiting for a ride request if their personal insurance does not accept responsibility. It provides $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.

A driver who is on the way to pick up a passenger or is transporting one at the time of the accident might be covered by Uber’s $1,000,000 third-party liability coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, or contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.

Lyft Insurance

When a Lyft driver is not signed into the app, his own insurance policy may cover the cost of any accidents. Lyft offers the following coverage amounts if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply and they are logged into the app and waiting for a passenger to request a ride:

• $50,000 per person for bodily injury
• $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

If the driver is on the way to a passenger or actively transporting one, Lyft coverage may provide $1,000,000 for 3rd-party liability, uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury protection, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage after paying a $2,500 deductible.

Pursuing Compensation with a Long Island Rideshare Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident with a rideshare driver, you may have legal recourse. To file a personal injury lawsuit, you must meet New York’s deadline. New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214 dictates that you generally have three years to bring such a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you do not file within this time frame, you may not be allowed to obtain any compensation.

Should you decide to take this legal route, a Long Island Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can help you pursue different types of compensation within your personal injury lawsuit. These awards include, but are not limited to:

• Medical damages
• Property damages
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death damages

Medical Damages

The bills stemming from a car accident with any driver, rideshare or not, can pile up quickly. If you require a long hospital stay, multiple doctor visits, therapy, prescription medications, and other forms of medical assistance, your medical expenses may be significant.

Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation for both your current and future costs of medical treatment in a personal injury case.

Property Damages

Your vehicle may have been extensively damaged in your accident with a rideshare driver. If you do not have collision coverage of your own and the other party’s insurance company is not paying out enough to repair or replace your car, you can pursue compensation that would cover the costs of your damaged property.

Loss of Income

Unfortunately, an injury from a car accident can put even the healthiest person out of commission for an extended period of time. For many people, that means missed work and missed paychecks. Depending on how your injuries affect your ability to work, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages or reduced earning capability.

Pain and Suffering

The pain from your injuries could be so debilitating that it keeps you from performing daily tasks or doing things that you enjoy. This physical pain can also take a mental toll on you. It is possible for you to start feeling depressed and anxious because you may feel isolated from your friends and family.

Wrongful Death Damages

If your loved one lost their life in an accident with a rideshare driver, you might be entitled to wrongful death damages. These damages may include funeral costs, pre-death medical care, and other types of losses. Note that New York Estates, Powers & Trusts (EPT) §5-4.1 generally gives you two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

If you hire a lawyer, then they can help you fight for the best possible outcome. Call Morelli Law Firm to learn more about your legal options and how a lawyer could assist you.

Why Hire a Long Island Rideshare Accident Lawyer

A rideshare accident lawyer on Long Island can help you with many aspects of your case. In general, some of their duties may include:

• Gathering evidence, including photos of your injuries and video footage of the accident
• Negotiating with the other party’s insurance company
• Handling communication with all relevant parties
• Speaking to witnesses
• Consulting the medical professionals treating you to follow up with your recovery
• Representing you in court, if necessary

The above tasks are not a complete list of what a lawyer can do for you.

Call Now for Your Free Consultation with a Rideshare Accident Attorney on Long Island

A Long Island rideshare accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to work for you on a contingency fee basis. In this arrangement, you do not need to pay us attorney fees unless and until you receive a settlement offer or court award.

For a free consultation on your case with a member of our car accident team, call Morelli Law Firm today.