There are 9,000 car crashes per month across New York City. Of those, about 1-in-10 involve one of our famous yellow taxis, and even more involve rideshare drivers from services like Uber and Lyft. But that raises an interesting question: Given how common these crashes are, what happens after an accident with a taxi or rideshare?
Taxi Crashes
Whether you’re riding in a taxi or are struck by one at an intersection, you should know that taxi drivers in NYC are required to stop and exchange information after any crash that causes property damage or injury. If they don’t, they could face misdemeanor charges. If the taxi driver attempts to flee the scene, do your best to get their license plate number as their vehicle likely has few other identifying marks.
The good news is that taxis (and, by extension, all for-hire vehicles) are required to have $100,000 for individual injury coverage and $300,000 for injuries with multiple people. Unlike rideshares, this applies any time a taxi is out on the streets, regardless of whether there is a passenger inside the vehicle.
If you’re a taxi passenger who is injured in a crash, make sure you get contact information and insurance information from both drivers. A police report and pictures of the scene can make this process easier. If you’re a driver struck by a taxi, simply exchange information as you normally would.
That said, exchanging information is a little different when it comes to commercial drivers. The necessary information you should trade with a taxi driver includes:
- Driver’s name
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Company name
- Supervisor’s phone number
- Insurance carrier
- Insurance policy number
- Pictures of each side of both vehicles
- Pictures of the surrounding area where the crash occurred
- Contact information of nearby witnesses
Rideshare Crashes
Rideshare crashes are a little different because the major rideshare companies offer coverage based on where the driver is in the transaction. A driver on their way to a passenger has completely different coverage than a driver with a passenger inside their vehicle, for example. These different insurance timelines are known as periods. Both major rideshare companies divide a driver's time into four periods, which will have a huge impact on any crash involving a rideshare driver. The periods are as follows:
Period 0: This refers to a driver who is registered with the rideshare company but is not currently working. This driver gets no additional coverage.
Period 1: A driver has their app turned on and is looking for a passenger. In this period, the rideshare company grants third-party liability coverage for damages done by their driver.
Period 2: A driver has matched with a passenger and is on their way to pick them up. At this time, the driver has an additional $1 million in liability insurance.
Period 3: A passenger is inside the vehicle. In this period, the driver receives higher injury and crash policy limits as well as uninsured motorist coverage.
Determining which period a rideshare driver is in will have an enormous impact on your case and augment your ability to recover the full damages you need to heal. However, a huge part of receiving that coverage is making sure the rideshare driver reports the crash on their app.
If you’re with a rideshare driver who is in a crash, you should open your app, click the ride, and scroll down to “my driver has been in an accident.” Then you should ask your driver to do the same.
If you are struck by a driver with an Uber or Lyft sticker in their window, be sure they also report the crash on the app, even if they don’t have a passenger in their vehicle. If they’re working, it’s in their best interest to report the crash to the rideshare company because it reduces the risk of them covering your damages out of their own pocket or through their own insurance company.
In either case, reporting the crash through the rideshare app is just an extra step in the process. As with any crash, you should exchange information with both drivers, get a police report if possible, and then contact an experienced auto accident attorney to guide you through the process.
How an Attorney Can Help
Car crash cases are complicated, especially when it comes to third-party liability and claims against employers. One of the most effective ways to give you a chance at recovering the full compensation you’re entitled to is to hire an experienced car accident attorney.
An attorney on your side can handle all the difficult paperwork and phone calls between companies on your behalf, allowing you to receive a fair recovery while also giving you time to focus on feeling better.
Remember, the majority of people who successfully negotiate for the full amount they are entitled to have the help of an attorney. Attorneys are skilled negotiators who are prepared to take your case as far as it needs to go to help your earn justice.
If you or someone you love were involved in a pedestrian accident, you need affordable representation from a team you can trust. If you’d like an experienced New York City injury accident attorney from Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices to evaluate your case, don’t hesitate to call us at (718) 690-3132 or send us an email.