New York City Uber Accident Lawyers

Helping Injured Passengers in Uber and Lyft Accidents Recover Monetary Compensation for their Injuries

New York City residents and visitors are increasingly turning to ridesharing companies for all of their transportation needs. These companies are generally very convenient, and their prices are extremely reasonable. Two of the most common ridesharing companies used in New York City include Uber and Lyft.

Uber and Lyft use independent contractors to provide ridesharing services for their riders. Although both companies take every possible precaution to prevent against accidents occurring, these accidents can still sometimes happen. If you’re injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, there are certain measures that you should always take, and there are certain considerations which you must always account for.

The experienced New York City Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman can review your case with you and determine your legal options.

Actions You Should Take Following a Ride-sharing Accident

If you are involved and a New York City Uber or Lyft accident, there are certain actions that you should always take. First of all, you should call an ambulance and paramedics to the scene. If you are not able to do this, you should ask someone to call for you. Secondly, you should speak with any of the other involved drivers in the collision. If a police officer arrives at the scene, you should ask for a copy of any police report he or she prepares.

Thirdly, you should speak with any eyewitnesses to the accident and obtain any contact information from them. If you have suffered injuries as a result of the accident, you should follow up at a hospital as soon as possible. Even if you are not experiencing extremely painful symptoms, it is still a good idea to follow up, since these injuries can become more significant as time passes.

Finally, if an insurance company representative or adjuster contacts you about the accident, you should not speak with him or her about what happened or about your injuries. Instead, you should contact an experienced New York City Uber and Lyft accident lawyer. A lawyer can answer all of your questions and negotiate with insurance companies and their adjusters on your behalf.

Insurance Coverage in a Ride-sharing Accident Case

In many instances, Uber and Lyft try to downplay the extent of their responsibility and involvement in a ridesharing accident. They may claim that their drivers are independent contractors and that they are acting on their own. Consequently, the ridesharing company may argue that they do not have any culpability for injuries sustained in the accident.

Individuals who drive for Uber and Lyft are required to maintain their own car insurance coverage at all times when they are operating a ridesharing vehicle. This coverage may step into play in the event of a motor vehicle collision involving a ride-sharing vehicle.

In other instances, the ridesharing company may provide limited insurance coverage. For example, when it comes to Uber, there is a 50/100/25 policy of coverage in place for accidents that occur in-between fairs.

Top Causes of Rideshare Accidents in NYC

Among the various causes of rideshare accidents, the following are the most common:

Distracted Driving

All drivers get distracted, but distractions are inherently part of being a Lyft or Uber driver. Even if a driver’s mobile phone is in plain view, making access to the rideshare app easier, they still have to read when checking a ride request, respond to the request, and check the GPS. Likewise, rideshare drivers are constantly exposed to all three forms of distractions – visual, manual, and cognitive.

To illustrate, let’s say the driver gets a ride request. That’s a cognitive distraction because it diverts the driver’s attention. The driver then checks their phone to read the notification. That’s a visual distraction. Lastly, the driver needs to use a hand and respond to the request. That’s a manual distraction. Rideshare drivers must also scan the streets to locate passengers, which might entail all three forms of distraction. 

Unfamiliar Places

Plenty of rideshare drivers accept requests from out of town to increase their earnings. Unfortunately, this means that they may not be familiar with the locations they’re servicing and the traffic patterns, among many others. They may also rely on their GPS more.

Speeding

Keep in mind that the more ride requests a driver accepts, the more earnings they make. Because of this, they may attempt to accept more requests from various locations as fast as possible. But rideshare drivers, like all the other drivers on the road, must ensure the safety of all road users, which means driving within the regulated speed limits.

Driver Fatigue

Lots of rideshare drivers work long hours, and the later and longer a driver works, the more fatigued they can get. Take note that driving while fatigued can be just as risky, if not riskier, than drunk driving in certain situations.

Regardless of how your rideshare accident occurred, our skilled NYC Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can prove fault and liability for the accident to secure fair compensation for your losses.

Ridesharing Services Are Linked to an Increase in Traffic Accidents and Deaths in NYC

Drunk driving accidents have decreased since rideshare companies started operating. However, the total number of accidents has not. While rideshares help reduce drunk driving crashes, this means that there are other reasons that may be raising the number of accidents. A Columbia University study found a rise in accidents at pick-up and drop-off places where pedestrians and motorists are injured. They also found that the most likely reason for this is distracted driving.

Remember that Uber and Lyft drivers need their phones to connect with their respective apps and passengers. This Columbia study is vital because it studied data on approximately 373 million rides from 2017 to 2018 across New York City. The researchers evaluated where accidents happened and the number of rideshare trips that occurred in the same location a week before the accident and a week after.

They also conducted the same procedure when looking at taxi accidents and evaluated reports from bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists who got injured in these accidents. The study found that Uber and Lyft drivers were directly linked to a rise in accidents involving injuries to pedestrians and motorists.

Call a New York City Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

The law regarding ridesharing motor vehicle accidents is still unsettled. This is because the concept of ridesharing is still relatively new. If you have suffered an injury in a ridesharing vehicle that resulted from someone else’s negligence, you should call the experienced lawyers at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman for assistance with your case today.

To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a New York City premises liability lawyer, please call us at (917) 268-6710, or contact us online today.