New York Lyft Accident Lawyer

Ridesharing drivers are just as likely as any other driver to get into a roadway accident. That said, these drivers, their passengers, and other motorists on the road may be entitled to post-accident compensation. 

If you’re involved in a ridesharing accident, sit down with a New York rideshare accident lawyer. Together you can assess your case, calculate your losses, and file a complaint with area courts. Our office will fight to ensure you have the legal representation you deserve.

Finding a New York Lyft Accident Attorney After an Accident

New York state limits the avenues through which a person may seek compensation after a Lyft accident. For starters, the state operates on a no-fault policy. This means that parties injured in the accident should go through their insurance providers before taking action in court. Everyone has to do this, including Lyft drivers, Lyft passengers, and third-party drivers. That said, whose insurance you have to consult will vary based on your role.

Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in New York makes filing a post-accident legal complaint a little simpler. After communicating with your insurer, you determine whether or not the settlement you’ve been offered will attend to your needs. If you would like to pursue additional coverage, or if you’ve suffered from severe losses, then Morelli Law Firm can help.

The Deadline to File a Lyft Accident Claim in New York

New York residents who want to seek out compensation for a Lyft accident must do so within three years of that accident taking place. This time limit is imposed by the state’s statute of limitations, further outlined by New York Civil Practice Law and Rule (CVP) §214. The statute of limitations serves to protect Lyft and other area drivers from out-of-the-blue suits.

Fortunately, you don’t have to try and gather all of your essential complaint paperwork on your own. A Lyft accident lawyer in New York can contact witnesses, manage communications with the defendant, and otherwise ensure that the process of building the complaint is as straightforward as possible.

Insurance and Lyft’s Accident Coverage

Lyft will not let its drivers on the road without insurance. That said, the scope of that coverage varies depending on a driver’s circumstances at the time of an accident. When you come away from a Lyft accident, you’ll want to be certain that you understand your relationship with Lyft before pursuing legal action. That’s where New York Lyft accident lawyers can step in.

Lyft’s Driver and Passenger Coverage

Lyft provides its drivers with roadway insurance under certain circumstances. Drivers are expected to have their own coverage, but those who do will be backed by Lyft’s when they’re on the clock. As a result, drivers who cause accidents or who find themselves injured in accidents can rely on their employer to cover their losses. 

Should someone hit by a Lyft driver wish to sue, you’ll have to contend with Lyft’s legal team and settlement offers, first. A Lyft accident attorney in New York can make these negotiations more manageable.

The same coverage that protects Lyft’s on-duty drivers also protects their passengers. Most passengers involved in a Lyft accident will still be expected to submit a claim to their personal insurance provider. However, Lyft may often offer settlements to parties who endured significant personal injury or property damage.

Third-Party Protections in Lyft Accidents

Drivers who get hit by Lyft vehicles or who are off-duty at the time of an accident do not benefit from Lyft’s insurance. Instead, these parties are expected to work with their own insurance providers before seeking out a civil suit. If these individuals have their claims denied, however, they are able to take the party they believe to be liable for their accident to court.

If a Lyft driver’s personal insurance won’t cover their losses, they can work with New York car accident lawyers to take liable parties to court. 

Third-party or independent drivers who are hit by Lyft vehicles can take Lyft to court. The good news is that Lyft tends to offer victims of its accidents settlements. A Lyft accident attorney in New York can help you determine whether or not a settlement offer meets all of your needs.

Protecting Your Finances with Post-Accident Compensation

Recovering from a Lyft accident can be expensive, especially if your injuries or losses have made it difficult for you to work. That, fortunately, is where your potential compensation comes into play. You can receive work with Lyft accident attorneys in New York to cover a variety of your concerns, including:

Medical Expenses

Passengers and drivers can come away from Lyft accidents with life-threatening injuries. However, you can include the cost of expenses like surgeries, physical therapy, medical aids, and medication in your initial complaint. So long as you provide evidence that these expenses resulted because of your accident, you can fight for compensation.

Property Damage

Lyft accidents can result in property damage for all drivers involved. Thorough compensation can cover more than just car repairs, though. If a Lyft’s passengers’ personal belongings are damaged, then their compensation may have to cover the cost of those materials. Similarly, a liable party may be responsible for helping the filing party afford a rental car while theirs is being repaired.

Emotional Distress

Emotional distress and other non-economic damages can result in a net gain for the injured party. Lyft accident lawyers in New York can help an injured party assess their post-accident enjoyment of life. This assessment can also help you identify early signs of PTSD or long-term distress.

If your accident resulted in wrongful death, you may list related expenses among your complaint’s damages. You can also discuss whether or not compensation for loss of consortium or loss of wages may apply to your case.

Punitive Damages

On some occasions, a court may determine that the individual liable for an accident engaged in behaviors that were in gross violation of the law. In these cases, the court can choose to apply punitive damages to a person’s case. You may not request punitive damages but rather may benefit from them should the liable party face a conviction.

Connect with a New York Lyft Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one have recently been involved in a Lyft accident, you can work with a New York Lyft accident lawyer to assess your potential compensation. Morelli Law Firm can work to prevent medical bills or living expenses from keeping you off the road. Call our office or fill out our online form to schedule your first case consultation.