Rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft, and Juno have changed how people in the United States and around the world get around. Before, your transportation options in New York City were generally:
- Walk
- Take the subway
- Ride a bus
- Hail a yellow cab
Each of these has its pros and cons. One of the greatest cons of riding a cab is its high price. Now, rideshare cars permeate the roadways, giving carless New Yorkers a fast, affordable alternative to the options above.
When a rideshare vehicle is involved in a car accident, the process for victims seeking compensation for their damages is different from how it would be if the collision involved a taxi. Rideshare drivers are not employees of the companies for which they drive, but independent contractors. If you are injured in a collision with this type of vehicle, you may have the right to seek compensation for pain and suffering damages and expenses beyond New York’s $50,000 personal injury protection (PIP) claim limit from the driver’s rideshare insurance.
If You Were in the Rideshare Vehicle
If you were injured while riding in a rideshare, you may be covered by the company’s insurance policy. Uber and Lyft both may have up to $1 million insurance policies to provide compensation for victims injured in accidents with their vehicles while the vehicles are carrying passengers.
If You Were in Another Vehicle
If you were driving or riding in another vehicle when the collision occurred, whether the rideshare provider’s insurance policy will cover your damages depends on the driver’s platform and whether he or she was covered by that platform’s insurance policy when the collision occurred. Coverage depends on whether the driver was carrying passengers, en route to a passenger, or using the vehicle for personal reasons and not taking passengers. If the driver was not covered by his or her platform’s insurance policy when the collision occurred, victims can file claims with the driver’s personal automobile insurance provider or their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, just like they would with any other type of accident.
New York City Rideshare Collision Statistics
The increase of ridesharing vehicles on the road actually increased the number of car accidents that happen in New York City each year. A few relevant facts and statistics to note include:
- In July 2014, 534 collisions involving for-hire vehicles were reported. In June 2016, that number rose to 1,672
- During that same period, the number of fender-benders involving hired vehicles rose from 2,835 to 3,814
Work with an Experienced Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyer
You also have the right to work with an experienced car accident lawyer to pursue the compensation you need to cover your expenses. To learn more about this right and how to proceed with your claim, call the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum to schedule a consultation with an experienced Brooklyn personal injury lawyer. Contact our Brooklyn office at (718) 237-5586.
