throughout the country. In New York City, these services are heavily used
by local residents and tourists who chose their convenience over traditional
taxi services, as well as by people who choose safer alternatives to driving
under the influence. While Uber and Lyft are certainly convenient, they
can pose unique issues when it comes to
car accidents and injuries.If you or someone you love has recently been injured in a traffic accident
involving Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service, working with an experienced
personal injury attorney is crucial to protecting your right to compensation.
Uber and Lyft accidents introduce challenging legal issues when it comes to liability, insurance
coverage, and how victims can recover their damages. With the assistance
of our proven legal team at Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices,
however, you can ensure you have the help and resources needed to effectively
navigate the personal injury claim process and recover the compensation
you deserve.
To help you gain a better understanding of accidents involving Uber and
Lyft, and the steps you should take following a crash, we have put together
the following information.
- Seek Medical Treatment – As with any traffic accident, the first and most important thing
that should be done is ensuring your health and the wellbeing of any other
parties involved. If you did not seek emergency care following the crash,
you should still seek a timely medical evaluation, especially if you feel
pain. Don’t try to tough it out or wait until your symptoms get
worse. This can not only cause you to miss out on what may be serious
or treatable injuries, but it can also cause complications when insurers
dispute that you were not really injured because you waited to seek medical
treatment, even if you were in pain all along. - Don’t Discuss Fault – No matter what party you may be in an Uber or Lyft crash, it is
best to not discuss fault. You may not have all the facts to provide an
accurate assessment of what happened, or you may possibly make statements
that can be interpreted as you accepting blame. Don’t say sorry
or apologize or discuss fault. Let insurance adjusters, police, and attorneys
handle investigations into fault and liability. - Call the Police – Calling emergency services following a crash is important to ensuring any
emergency care is provided to victims. It can also ensure that a law enforcement
officer collects information and details about the crash for the purposes
of a police report. This police report is important in personal injury
cases, and it can aid you should you choose to file a claim. - Gather Information – If you are able to do so, try to gather as much information as you can,
including contact and insurance information from all involved parties,
information from any witnesses who may have seen what happened, and driver’s
license and license plate numbers. You can also take photos of the scene,
damages to vehicles, and any visible injuries you may have. - Don’t Trust the Insurance Company – Insurance companies simply do not have the best interests of victims
in mind. They are businesses, and their goals are to collect premiums
and keep them low for policy holders, not pay out claims. Be aware that
insurers may try to contact you following an accident, and that they may
attempt to get you to say something that could be used to assign fault
or liability to you, or to deny your claim. You do not have to speak with
insurers when you have the help of our personal injury lawyer. - Understand Liability & Coverage – Because Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors, rather
than company employees, liability and insurance coverage can vary depending
on the circumstances involved – especially when it comes to what
a driver was doing at the time of the crash. For example, Uber specifies
the type of coverage provided to victims when an Uber driver is either
transporting a fare (victims covered by Uber’s $1 million commercial
policy), in between trips (victims covered by Uber’s third party
liability policy), or not actively using the app (victims covered by an
Uber driver’s personal insurance).
- Know Your Situation – It is also important for you to understand your rights and the
coverage in place given the unique facts of your crash. While you have
the right to be compensated by the party responsible for causing your
accident and injuries, it may vary depending on the rideshare service’s
insurance policies. This means that a case will proceed differently depending
on whether you were injured as a driver or passenger in an another vehicle
that was involved in a crash with an Uber or Lyft, you were a passenger
or driver in an Uber or Lyft, or you were a pedestrian injured by an Uber or Lyft. - Speak to a Lawyer – Bringing your case to the attention of an experienced attorney
as soon as you can is important in any auto accident involving injuries.
Given the unique and challenging nature of Uber and Lyft accidents, it
becomes even more important. At Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices,
our legal team can fully review your case, discuss your rights, and explain
whether you have a valid cause for pursuing financial compensation for
your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering,
among others. We can then take the necessary steps to help you fight for
full and fair compensation.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a wreck involving Uber,
Lyft, or any other rideshare service, do not hesitate to reach out for
the help and support you need by contacting Koenigsberg & Associates
Law Offices.
Over the years, our firm has recovered millions of dollars
and compensation for clients harmed in all types of auto accidents across
the five boroughs and the surrounding areas of New York. This includes
accidents involving Uber and Lyft and the difficult legal issues they
introduce. You can be confident about placing your trust in our proven team.
Our team is available 24/7 to help.
Contact us today to request a FREE consultation.
