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Who Is Liable for Your Injuries in a Rideshare Accident?

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Negligence often forms the foundation of a personal injury claim. Key to this is identifying which party is negligent. If you were injured in a car accident with a rideshare vehicle, this may become complicated since several different parties could be connected to the accident.

For those involved in an Uber accident or Lyft accident, a New York Uber Accident Lawyer can provide valuable legal guidance. Quality legal support may help you recover fair compensation for your injuries. 

Legal Landscape of Rideshare Accidents

As mentioned, rideshare accidents in New York can be complicated. This is not only because of the number of parties potentially involved, but also because of New York’s insurance laws. Moreover, whether the injured party is the passenger or the occupant of another vehicle may also affect an insurance claim. 

Another significant issue with rideshare accidents is the matter of vicarious liability. Employers may be held vicariously liable for their employees actions under the doctrine of respondeat superior. However, most rideshare companies claim their drivers are independent contractors. This can add a layer of complication to a personal injury lawsuit.

Key Parties Who Could Be Held Liable

There are several different parties who could be directly or indirectly involved in a rideshare crash. Identifying these parties and determining who may be responsible is critical to your injury claim.

Some parties who could be liable after a rideshare car accident include: 

  • The Rideshare Driver: If the driver was negligent and caused the accident. The driver may be held responsible for any injuries and property damage that results.
  • The Rideshare Company: As mentioned, the rideshare company may be liable if it is acting as the driver’s employer. It may also be responsible if its own negligence contributed to the crash, such as when it fails to properly screen drivers. 
  • Other Motorists Involved: If another driver caused or contributed to the collision, the at-fault driver may be held responsible for your injuries. 
  • Third Parties: Finally, third-parties may also be liable. For instance, if faulty brakes caused or contributed to your injuries, the manufacturer may be responsible under third-party liability.

In rideshare accident cases, it is possible that multiple parties may be responsible for your injuries. Identifying all liable parties is important for recovering a full accident settlement.

Common Challenges in Determining Liability

As already highlighted, determining accident liability is crucial to a rideshare accident claim. However, pinpointing which party or parties are responsible can be a challenge. 

An accident investigation is usually the first step for determining liability. This can become difficult if the accident scene was poorly documented. Moreover, a police report and witness statements may not be adequate for proving what occurred and why. Finally, the sheer number of insurance providers in these situations can also undermine the process as each tries to shift the blame. 

An experienced Personal Injury Lawyer can help identify all responsible parties and available sources of compensation. This can be critical to recovering a full and fair settlement for your accident injuries. 

Insurance Coverage in Rideshare Accidents

In New York, rideshare drivers and companies are required to hold specific insurance. The amount of insurance required is different depending on whether the driver is just logged into the app or is engaged in a prearranged trip.

Under the law and in addition to the mandatory no-fault insurance, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist policies, rideshares must have at least 75/150/25 coverage whenever they are logged into the rideshare app:

  • $75,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident
  • $150,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident
  • $25,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident 

When a rideshare driver has a prearranged trip, the policy must include at least:

  • $1,250,000 for bodily injury to or death of any person and injury to or destruction of property
  • $1,250,000 supplemental uninsured/underinsured (“SUM”) insurance

This coverage may be held under the driver’s personal auto insurance policy or the rideshare company’s commercial insurance policy. 

Contact a Lawyer at Gregory Spektor & Associates P.C. for Legal Help

At Gregory Spektor & Associates, P.C., we are committed to providing quality legal representation, aggressively fighting for the compensation you deserve. Our team of injury lawyers understands just how important recovering a fair settlement can be after a rideshare accident. 

If you were the victim of a negligent rideshare driver, call us now at 1(800) 318-8888 to schedule your free consultation. A knowledgeable and skilled accident attorney is ready to assist you with your rideshare accident claim.

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