The convenience of ridesharing has changed how we travel from place to place in Albany. A simple tap on an app can get you a ride home from a concert at the MVP Arena, a lift to a class at SUNY Albany, or a quick trip down Central Avenue. In a matter of minutes, a car arrives, and you place your trust in the driver to get you to your destination safely.
But when that trust is broken by the jarring impact of a collision, your world can be turned upside down. Suddenly, you’re faced with medical appointments, mounting bills, and calls from insurance adjusters. The path forward seems unclear and challenging.
We understand what you are going through. At William Mattar, P.C. we know that a rideshare accident is more than just a legal problem; it's a deeply personal and traumatic event that affects every aspect of your life. The legal complexities of Uber and Lyft accidents, involving multiple layers of insurance policies, can make an already stressful situation feel impossible. You need more than just a lawyer; you need an experienced rideshare accident lawyer to protect your rights and fight for full and fair compensation after an Albany crash.
Let our team take the burden off your shoulders. Your focus should be on your health and your family. Our focus will be on securing justice and compensation for you. Contact our dedicated legal team today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case.
Why Choose William Mattar, P.C. for Your Albany Rideshare Accident Claim?
After a traumatic accident, choosing the right law firm can feel like another daunting task. You need a team with the right experience, the right focus, and a genuine commitment to your well-being. At William Mattar, P.C. we have built our reputation on being that firm for thousands of injured New Yorkers. Here’s why we are the right choice to handle your Albany rideshare accident claim:
A Focus on Motor Vehicle Accidents
Many law firms are general practices, handling everything from criminal defense to real estate. We don’t. At William Mattar, P.C. personal injury claims from motor vehicle accidents are our focus. This laser-focus means your case will be handled by an attorney who is uncommonly practiced in the specific laws, insurance policies, and negotiation tactics relevant to your rideshare accident.
Decades of Proven Experience and Results
With over 30 years of experience, our firm has stood the test of time. We have navigated complex accident claims across New York State, developing the legal strategies needed to succeed. This history of success gives our clients peace of mind and sends a clear message to insurance companies that we are prepared to fight for a fair outcome.
You Can Afford Our Help with No Upfront Fees
We believe that every accident victim deserves legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. You pay us no attorneys’ legal fees unless and until we win a recovery for you. This allows you to get the help you need right now without worrying about the cost.
When you choose William Mattar, P.C. you are choosing a firm that combines the resources and experience of a large, established practice with the personalized, caring attention you deserve. We are here to listen to your story, answer your questions, and be your steadfast advocate from start to finish.
Who Pays After an Albany Uber or Lyft Accident?
This is one of the most common and confusing questions after a rideshare accident. Unlike a typical two-car crash, where you are only dealing with the drivers’ personal insurance, a rideshare accident can involve up to three different insurance scenarios. The question of “who pays?” can depend entirely on the driver’s status at the moment of the crash. Understanding this is critical to identifying the correct source of compensation for your injuries after a crash in Upstate New York.
Offline or the App is Off
If the Uber or Lyft driver did not have the rideshare app on at the time of the accident and was not working, Uber and Lyft’s corporate insurance policies may not apply.
You would need to file a claim against the driver’s personal auto insurance policy to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. New York’s No-Fault insurance laws would also come into play to cover initial medical expenses and lost income, regardless of who was at fault.
Available or Waiting for a Ride Request
This is the first level of rideshare insurance coverage. This scenario applies when the driver has the app turned on, is logged into the system, and is available to accept a ride request, but has not yet been matched with a passenger. This is often referred to as "Phase 1."
During this period, the driver’s personal insurance is still considered the primary coverage. However, because many personal auto policies have exclusions for commercial driving activity, Uber and Lyft provide a layer of contingent liability coverage that kicks in if the driver's personal policy denies the claim. This coverage typically includes:
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
While this is more coverage than New York’s minimum requirements, it may not be enough to cover the full extent of serious injuries.
En Route to Pick Up a Passenger or During a Ride
This is the period when rideshare companies provide their highest level of insurance coverage. This coverage, often called "Phase 2" and "Phase 3," becomes active the moment a driver accepts a ride request and continues until the passenger has been dropped off and the ride is officially ended in the app.
If your accident occurred during this time, either while you were a passenger, or if you were in another vehicle, or a pedestrian struck by a rideshare driver who was actively on a trip, a substantial insurance policy is in effect.
This policy is designed to cover the damages suffered by others, including passengers, occupants of other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians who were injured in an accident caused by the rideshare driver. It also includes uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which can protect you if the at-fault driver was the rideshare driver or another driver who was uninsured or lacked sufficient coverage to pay for your damages.
The insurance coverage available after a rideshare crash will depend on the location of the crash as well as the driver’s “status.” An experienced attorney can review your case and advise as to the available insurance coverage.
The Insurance Company Made Me a Settlement Offer. Should I Take It?
In the days or weeks following an accident, you may receive a call from an insurance adjuster representing the rideshare company or another at-fault party. They may sound friendly and concerned, and they might even make a quick settlement offer. For someone facing medical bills and unable to work, this fast cash can seem like a lifeline. However, it is crucial that you do not accept any offer, sign any documents, or provide a recorded statement without first consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their primary goal is not to ensure you are fully compensated; it is to protect their bottom line by paying out as little as possible on claims. The first offer is almost always a "lowball" offer, calculated to be just enough to make you go away, but far less than the true value of your claim.
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators who use specific tactics to devalue your case, such as:
- rushing you to accept their first offer before you know the full extent of your injuries
- downplaying the extent of your injuries
- delaying the process so you will become so frustrated and financially desperate that you eventually accept whatever low offer they put on the table
Our experienced rideshare accident lawyers can act as your shield and your sword. We will immediately take over all communications with the insurance companies, protecting you from these manipulative tactics after an Albany crash.
We will conduct our own thorough investigation, gathering police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions to build a powerful case. Most importantly, we will accurately calculate the full and fair value of your claim, not just your current bills, but your future medical needs, your total lost income, and the profound impact the accident has had on your quality of life.
Armed with this evidence, we will negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation. If the insurance company refuses to be fair, we are always prepared to take your case to court.
Compensation Available in an Albany Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
No amount of money can undo the trauma of an accident, but fair compensation can provide the financial stability you and your family need to heal and move forward. Compensation, also known as "damages," may include:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses not covered by no-fault insurance: This covers everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room visit to surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, assistive devices (like crutches or wheelchairs), and any ongoing or future medical care you may need.
- Lost Income not covered by no-fault insurance: If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you are entitled to compensation for the income you have lost.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries are permanent and prevent you from returning to your previous job or from working at all, you can seek compensation for the income you would have earned over the course of your career.
- Property Damage: This includes the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses: This can include costs like transportation to medical appointments or necessary modifications to your home or vehicle.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional anguish you have endured.
- Emotional Distress: This can include anxiety, depression, fear, PTSD, and insomnia caused by the trauma of the accident.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for the physical and emotional impact of permanent scars or other disfiguring injuries.
Our team can leave no stone unturned in building a comprehensive case that reflects the true, total cost of your accident.
Albany Rideshare Accident Lawsuit FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions we hear from our clients after being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident:
New York State has a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Every case is unique, however, and the deadline can sometimes be much shorter. While this may seem like a long time, it is crucial to act quickly. Evidence can disappear, witnesses' memories can fade, and building a strong case takes time. If you miss this deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to seek compensation forever. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible is the best way to preserve your rights.
This is a common scenario. If another, non-rideshare driver was at fault for the accident, your primary claim would be against that driver’s personal auto insurance policy. However, this is where Uber and Lyft’s Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage becomes incredibly important. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or their insurance policy limits are too low to cover the full extent of your damages, the rideshare company's UIM policy can step in to cover the difference, up to the policy limits. This complex situation highlights the importance of having an attorney who understands how to coordinate claims between multiple insurance policies.
The vast majority of personal injury cases, including rideshare accidents, are settled out of court through negotiations. Our primary goal is to achieve a full and fair settlement for you without the need for a lengthy trial. However, if they refuse to negotiate in good faith, we will not hesitate to take your case before a judge and jury to fight for a fair verdict for you.
Contact the Albany Rideshare Accident Lawyers at William Mattar Law Offices
The physical, emotional, and financial burdens of a rideshare accident can be overwhelming, but you have a dedicated team ready to stand by your side. At William Mattar, P.C. our mission is to make a difference for injured people. We have helped thousands of clients across New York State, and our Albany intake location is here to serve you.
Let us handle the legal details so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery. We are available 24/7 to listen to your story and provide the guidance you need. Remember, we work on a contingency fee basis and there are no attorneys’ legal fees unless we collect money for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by seeking the legal help you deserve.
Contact William Mattar, P.C. today at 444-4444 or through our online form for a free and confidential consultation with a trusted Albany rideshare accident attorney.