A car accident anywhere else is never a good thing. However, Uber accidents provide one important mitigation. Accidents involving rideshare vehicles frequently result in greater injury compensation. If your claim is covered by insurance, an accident settlement is usually higher than a settlement with a regular motorist.
An experienced New York Car Accident Lawyer will ensure you get fair compensation and fight to get you the justice you deserve. Companies like Uber and Lyft provide convenience. One of the primary reasons for their rapid growth is that they are less expensive than taxi companies. Accident-related injuries are unavoidable as more passengers hail rides with Uber and Lyft. If you are injured in an Uber accident, knowing how to protect your rights as an Uber passenger will be beneficial.
Uber connects users to drivers in their area who will pick them up and transport them to their destinations. Certain factors, however, can sometimes overshadow the convenience provided by this ridesharing company. These include Uber accidents, unethical hiring practices, a lack of accountability, and so on.
So, what happens if an Uber driver causes a collision? Are there any regulations in place to protect Uber passengers from careless drivers? Find out more about New York City rideshare regulations to get answers to these and other questions. If you or a family member were injured in a rideshare accident, you should consult with an experienced lawyer like Gregory Spektor & Associates.
Under New York law, Uber and other ridesharing companies are classified as transportation network companies. As a result, Uber drivers are subject to a variety of state regulations. In New York City, for example, a TNC driver must also have separate authorization from the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission.
Uber drivers must be at least 19 years old and pass a background and fingerprint check. Furthermore, these independent contractors must have a valid New York State driver’s license and carry the minimum mandatory auto insurance policy. Uber drivers do not require a commercial driver’s license.
An Uber driver is required to have insurance under New York’s TNC Act. The goal is to protect passengers and other drivers in the event of an accident. Except for New York City and any counties that choose to enforce different regulations, the Transport Network Companies Act applies to the entire state. The NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission already has stringent requirements in place for rideshare drivers in the city.
The minimum insurance coverage required is determined by whether or not an Uber driver has passengers in the car. According to state law, an Uber driver must have the following levels of insurance:
All New York drivers are required to have auto insurance. A typical personal insurance policy, however, is likely insufficient for rideshare drivers. Earning money for driving is considered commercial driving, and personal auto insurance policies do not cover it. As a result, Uber drivers must be covered by Uber insurance or purchase separate commercial driver policies.
Uber provides its drivers with insurance. When that coverage kicks in, it will depend on whether the driver is currently using the Uber app and has a passenger. Under certain conditions, Uber insurance may not provide adequate coverage to drivers. The following are the coverage periods under Uber’s commercial insurance policy:
Have you or a loved one been injured as a result of an Uber accident in New York? If this is the case, you should consult with a attorney to see if you have the legal right to file a personal injury claim.
As part of the state’s licensing requirements, New York requires rideshare companies to provide liability insurance for passengers. A passenger in an Uber car who is injured has more rights than anyone else. The injured Uber passenger is not at fault, with very few exceptions. Take a look at the following injury claim scenarios:
A passenger injured in an Uber accident may be able to sue Uber. In general, an injured Uber passenger has more rights than anyone else who is hurt or involved in an accident. Because of New York’s no-fault insurance policy, the initial claims are filed through insurance. Any expenses in excess of the compensatory amount are frequently the responsibility of the at-fault driver, whether a third-party driver or the driver of the Uber car.
Millions of people use Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services every day to get from one place to another. Every day, such businesses provide convenience to millions of people. Their insurance policies and structures, on the other hand, can make recovering compensation for damage and injuries difficult. Fortunately, Uber attorneys can help you get fair compensation for a personal injury.
When you are a passenger in an Uber accident, your primary concern should be your own safety. Following the accident, the following steps should be taken.
As with any automobile accident, the first priority should be to assist the victims. If you or someone else is injured, seek medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine, many injuries, such as whiplash, do not have immediate symptoms. As a result, you should dial 911 or go to an emergency room if necessary.
Immediate medical attention will also help you document your injuries. Later, an experienced Uber accident lawyer can use this information to evaluate your case and pursue it on your behalf.
Obtain the drivers’ names, phone numbers, license plates, and insurance information from the Uber accident. Obtain contact information and accounts of the incident from any witnesses to the accident. Additionally, the information in the rideshare app may be useful to your lawyer.
It would be beneficial to write down everything you remember about the accident, including what happened before and during the accident. This will assist you in remembering important details. Take photographs of the accident scene and damage if possible. They must depict the accident and all circumstances surrounding it accurately.
Inform the police of the incident so that they can respond quickly to the accident scene. The police will conduct an investigation and provide a credible account of what happened. The police will also complete a traffic collision report, which will be useful evidence for your lawyers if you decide to file an insurance claim or an Uber accident case.
Do not discuss the incident or bodily injuries with insurance adjusters. Call your insurance company instead as soon as possible. If any insurance adjusters contact you, inform them that your attorneys will contact them. Otherwise, anything you say can be used against you in a personal injury lawsuit.
Uber encourages both riders and drivers to report accidents. On the company’s website, accident report forms are available. Following your report, a company representative may contact you for a more detailed explanation of the incident. If you have serious injuries or questions, you should consult with a lawyer before speaking with anyone else.
Because they do not earn the highest percentage of the trips, many rideshare drivers try to complete as many rides as possible. This can sometimes lead to careless mistakes and dangerous driving. Some drivers travel at high speeds, attempting to avoid traffic as much as possible. Others take their gaze away from the road for extended periods of time to check the app for notifications, messages, and directions.
Other times, drivers are too preoccupied with looking for a ride request that they crash into other cars, guardrails, curbs, poles, or trees. Of course, there are many cases where the accident was caused by another vehicle. The high volume of traffic in New York makes driving even more difficult. That is why accident victims require personal injury protection.
When riding in an Uber or driving near one, you should take precautions to ensure your safety. The severity of an Uber passenger’s injuries can vary. You might get away unscathed or with minor injuries. Unfortunately, not everyone is as fortunate. Some car accidents are devastating and have long-term consequences. Following an Uber accident, you may sustain the following injuries:
Did you get hurt while riding in an Uber because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence? If this is the case, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other medical care services such as physical therapy. You cannot, however, file a claim for medical bills if you did not sustain an injury. You can only sue for property damage and lost wages.
All drivers owe a duty of care to one another, their passengers, and everyone else. Your safety as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle is in the hands of the driver. Your driver is responsible for not injuring you. A breach of this duty may result in an accident.
Ride-hailing services are rapidly displacing taxis in New York City and across the country. A rideshare application, such as the Uber App, facilitates access to taxi services. As a result, it’s easy to overlook the fact that becoming an Uber driver is far easier than becoming any other type of commercial driver.
When you need an Uber attorney, contact our New York law firm for a free consultation. We have some of the most knowledgeable attorneys in the state. Our firm specializes in all types of personal injury cases, including Uber accidents.
We will fight for you to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, wrongful death, and other losses. To schedule a free consultation, please call (888) 797-7735.
