New York Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Ridesharing programs have risen in popularity in recent years. Companies, such as Uber and Lyft, allow users to hail a ride through a mobile app. It makes sense why ridesharing has become a go-to form of transportation across the globe. With rideshare services, rather than take a bus or taxicab, you can pay for your trip in seconds. In many ways, it has never been easier to get wherever you need to go.
Despite the convenience of ridesharing services, these programs have a downside. If you are injured in an Uber accident or Lyft accident, it may be difficult to determine who is at fault. There also may be multiple insurance companies and parties involved. For this reason, rideshare accident cases can be more difficult to settle than other motor vehicle accident cases.
If you have been injured in a ridesharing accident, the personal injury lawyers at William Mattar law offices may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our rideshare accident lawyers have the experience and knowledge to navigate even the most complex of cases. To schedule a free and confidential consultation today, call (844) 444 - 4444.
Key Takeaways
Case Focus & Firm Experience
- William Mattar Law Offices handles rideshare accident cases involving Uber and Lyft, backed by over 30 years of motor vehicle crash experience.
- The firm handles complex cases with multiple parties—drivers, platforms, passengers, third-party motorists—and navigates layered insurance policies effectively.
Who May Be Held Accountable
- Possible liable parties include:
- The rideshare driver, particularly during active app usage or while transitioning to pick-up/drop-off
- The rideshare company (e.g., Uber or Lyft) with substantial insurance coverage (typically $1.25M when the app is active)
- Non-rideshare drivers involved in the crash and third-party motorists
- Municipalities or infrastructure owners if road conditions contributed
Why Rideshare Cases Are Often Complicated
- Liability can shift depending on driver status (app on/off) and stages of the trip.
- Multiple insurers are often involved—rideshare policy, personal auto policy, and policies from other motorists involved.
- Proving fault requires combining police and crash reports, video footage, app-trip logs, and witness accounts.
Types of Compensation Pursued
- Victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses and future care
- Lost wages or income
- Pain and suffering, emotional trauma
- Loss of consortium or reduced quality of life
- Property damage and diminished enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages in fatal cases
Settlement Expectations
- Settlement values vary widely based on injury severity, trip phase, and available insurance.
- Victims with serious injuries—fractures, TBIs, or spinal trauma—may secure six- to seven-figure recoveries depending on liability and medical documentation.
Critical Considerations for Claimants
- Rideshare claims must be evaluated early—rideshare drivers may have coverage limits depending on app activation and trip timing.
- Evidence preservation is essential: gather trip logs, app status, crash footage, photos, police and 911 reports immediately.
- The firm offers no-fee-unless-we-win representation and 24/7 access to case support.
- Knowing the nuances of rideshare insurance (Uber/Lyft) and coordination with other insurers is crucial for maximizing recovery.
What is Ridesharing?
The rideshare business model was first created to decrease the cost of renting the transportation services of a private driver and/or company. Uber, in particular, found a way to offer services that are similar to a taxi company, but at a lower cost to the customer. The systems used by Uber and Lyft allow users to request and pay using technology, that is also used to map out the route to the destination.
One important characteristic of rideshare companies is that they are classified as “software companies,” instead of commercial businesses. In other words, companies like Uber technically facilitate ridesharing services, rather than provide them. This is because rideshare drivers are considered independent freelancers or contractors, not employees. As a result, rideshare programs do not have to follow certain legal regulations. This can often complicate issues such as liability in a personal injury case.
What should I do if I am a passenger in a Rideshare Accident?
If you are a passenger in a ridesharing accident, you may be uncertain about what to do. You may have been injured as a result of a rideshare driver’s, or another motorist’s, negligence. Although the situation may be overwhelming, there a few things you can do to protect your legal rights and ensure that you are able to seek compensation in the future.
Keep the following tips in mind in the event of a rideshare accident.
- Call emergency services: Even if it is not immediately clear, you, or another driver or passenger, may require emergency medical care following a rideshare accident. You may need to receive treatment if you have sustained an injury— so calling 911 is essential.
- Collect information and evidence: After a ridesharing crash, if it is safe to exit the vehicle, document as much information as possible about the incident. This may include insurance and license plate information from the drivers involved, photos of the road and accident scene, and witness statements. Try not forget to collect information about the ridesharing driver because it may be important to your case.
- Notify your insurance company: You will need to notify your insurance company and let them know that you have been involved in a rideshare collision. You may also be contacted from the at fault driver’s insurance company. Be cautious when speaking with a representative from the driver’s insurance company, or rideshare service, as they may try to offer you a settlement.
- Contact a rideshare accident attorney: To protect your legal rights and ensure that you obtain the best possible outcome, consider contacting a rideshare accident lawyer to represent you and your case.
Who is liable in a Rideshare Accident?
To file a claim after a ridesharing accident, you will need to know who is liable for your injuries or damages. The issue of fault can become tangled in an Uber or Lyft accident. The liable party may be your rideshare driver or another driver altogether. As a rideshare passenger, however, you will very likely be protected by the ridesharing company’s insurance policy in the event of a car accident. Issues of liability may become trickier if you are a third party who is injured by a rideshare driver.
Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft both provide liability insurance coverage for their drivers depending on their “status” at the time of the accident. This refers to whether or not they were logged into the ridesharing app. Some rules for insurance coverage include the following:
- If the driver is not active on the app when a car accident occurs, the majority of ridesharing companies will provide no coverage.
- If the driver is active on the app but has not accepted a ride request, the majority of ridesharing companies will provide limited bodily injury liability coverage. This coverage may include up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, as well as $25,000 in property damage liability.
- If a driver has accepted a ride request and is en route to pick up a passenger, the majority of ridesharing companies provide up to $1 million in liability coverage.
- If a driver is transporting a passenger, the majority of ridesharing companies provide liability coverage up to $1 million, plus limited uninsured motorist and property damage coverage.
What types of compensation can I receive after a Ridesharing Accident?
There are usually three or more different insurance companies involved in ridesharing accidents. These can include the ridesharing company’s insurer, the rideshare driver’s personal insurer, and the insurance carriers of any other drivers involved. If you are a victim of a ridesharing accident, you may find yourself confused about how to seek compensation for your injuries.
Fortunately, the accident attorneys at William Mattar law offices can help you determine which types of compensation you are entitled to receive. We know how critical it is that those who have been injured do not accept an inadequate settlement.
If you were seriously injured in a ridesharing accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, such as hospital bills and treatment;
- Lost income or wages as a result of being unable to work;
- Pain and suffering;
- Property damage;
- Diminished quality of life due to serious injury; and
- Wrongful death in the event of a fatal rideshare collision.
General Rideshare FAQs
Does the rideshare driver's app status affect which insurance policy applies to my claim?
Yes. New York's TNC law ties insurance coverage to the driver's activity on the app at the time of the crash. The coverage tiers are:
- App off: Only the driver's personal auto policy applies
- App on, waiting for a request: Limited liability coverage of $75,000/$150,000/$25,000
- Ride accepted through drop-off: At least $1.25 million in liability coverage plus $1.25 million in supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Identifying the correct coverage tier is one of the first steps in building a rideshare accident claim.
Are rideshare insurance rules different for accidents that happen in New York City?
Not exactly. New York’s statewide TNC law generally governs rideshare trips outside New York City, while rideshare vehicles operating in New York City are regulated through the Taxi and Limousine Commission’s for-hire vehicle rules. Because Article 44-B does not apply to rideshare trips that begin in New York City, crashes involving NYC pickups are governed by other state and city rules, including TLC requirements.
What if I was a passenger in the rideshare vehicle when the crash happened?
Passengers generally have strong claims because they bear no fault for the collision. As a rideshare passenger during an active trip, you are typically covered under the rideshare company's highest insurance tier. You may also pursue a claim against the other driver's liability insurance if a third-party motorist caused the crash. Multiple policies may apply, which is one reason these cases benefit from legal review early in the process.
Can I file a claim if a rideshare driver hit me while I was in another vehicle or walking?
Yes. Pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles may all pursue claims against a negligent rideshare driver. The available insurance coverage depends on whether the driver was logged into the app and whether a trip was in progress at the time of the collision. Our team works to identify every applicable policy and pursue compensation from the appropriate carriers.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in New York?
Two deadlines apply. You generally must give written notice to the applicable no-fault insurer within 30 days of the accident to protect your claim for medical expenses and partial lost wages. A separate three-year statute of limitations under CPLR § 214 generally applies to personal injury lawsuits filed against the at-fault driver or other responsible parties. Acting early helps preserve app data, trip logs, and other digital evidence that may be critical to your claim.
Hurt in a Rideshare Accident? Call William Mattar.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced car accident attorneys at William Mattar will fight on your behalf to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Call today at (844) 444 - 4444 for your free consultation.