If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in New York, the insurance that pays depends on what the driver was doing in the app at the moment of the crash, with required coverage rising to $1.25 million once a trip is underway. William Mattar, P.C. handles motor vehicle accident cases. Our firm has represented injured people for over 30 years, with no fee until we win and free case reviews available 24/7 at (844) 444-4444.
Why William Mattar, P.C. for rideshare accident cases
William Mattar, P.C.’s work for accident victims has been covered by The Buffalo News. Rideshare claims turn on app status and layered insurance policies, and a firm that handles motor vehicle accident cases works through those layers every day.
Key facts for New York rideshare accident victims
- Coverage depends on app status. Vehicle and Traffic Law 1693 sets required rideshare insurance in tiers, at least $75,000 per person and $150,000 per accident while a driver waits for a request, and $1.25 million from trip acceptance until the passenger exits.
- App off generally means personal insurance. If the driver was not logged into the rideshare app, the crash is handled like an ordinary car accident under the driver's personal policy.
- No-fault pays medical bills first. Passengers and other injured people claim no-fault benefits for basic economic loss regardless of fault, and pain and suffering claims generally require a serious injury as defined in Insurance Law 5102.
- The no-fault clock is short. The NF-2 no-fault application is generally due within 30 days of the crash.
- Partial fault does not end your case. New York follows a comparative fault rule under CPLR 1411. A recent amendment to this rule can significantly affect motor vehicle cases; speak with an attorney.
What to do after an Uber or Lyft accident in New York
Call 911 and get medical attention, then document the rideshare details before they disappear. Ensure that you are in a safe location. Take a screenshot of the trip screen, the driver's name, and the receipt if you were a passenger, and get the driver's license, plate, and insurance information if you were in another vehicle or on foot. Report the crash through the Uber or Lyft app, which creates a record of the ride. Submit your no-fault application promptly, since the NF-2 form is generally due within 30 days. Before giving recorded statements to any of the insurers involved, consider speaking with an attorney, because rideshare crashes often involve three or more insurance companies pointing at each other.
Which insurance applies in a New York rideshare accident
New York's rideshare law, Vehicle and Traffic Law 1693, ties required insurance to what the driver was doing in the app when the crash happened. Trips inside New York City are governed by separate Taxi and Limousine Commission requirements, while the tiers below apply to rideshare trips elsewhere in the state.
| Driver's app status at the time of the crash | Required liability coverage |
| App off | Driver's personal auto policy applies |
| App on, waiting for a ride request | At least $75,000 per person and $150,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage |
| Trip accepted, passenger pickup and ride in progress | $1.25 million, until the passenger exits the vehicle |
Pinning down app status can be the central fight in a rideshare case. Trip logs, GPS data, and app records held by the rideshare company can establish the timeline, and an attorney can demand that this evidence be preserved.
Passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and other victims
Injured rideshare passengers claim no-fault benefits for medical bills and lost earnings, and can pursue the on-trip liability coverage for pain and suffering when their injuries meet the serious injury threshold in Insurance Law 5102. Occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists hit by a rideshare driver can access the same tiered coverage that applies at the moment of the crash. Rideshare drivers hurt by another motorist have claims against that motorist like any other injured driver. Each situation involves a different mix of insurers, which is why sorting out who pays is often the first task in these cases.
Compensation and deadlines for New York rideshare claims
No-fault benefits cover basic medical bills and a portion of lost earnings regardless of fault, with the NF-2 application generally due within 30 days. Pain and suffering damages come from a liability claim, which generally requires a serious injury under Insurance Law 5102 and must usually be filed within three years of the crash. App status evidence and trip records should be requested early, before routine data retention policies erase them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after an accident?
Usually the claim proceeds against the driver and through the insurance coverage that Uber or Lyft must maintain, because rideshare companies classify drivers as independent contractors. New York law requires substantial coverage during rideshare activity, up to $1.25 million once a trip is accepted. An attorney can determine which policies apply and whether any claim against the company itself is available or helpful.
What insurance applies if the rideshare driver was waiting for a ride request?
When the app is on but no ride has been accepted, New York law requires coverage of at least $75,000 per person and $150,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. Once the driver accepts a trip and until the passenger exits, the required coverage rises to $1.25 million. If the app was off entirely, the driver's personal auto policy applies.
Am I covered as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft?
Yes. An injured passenger is covered by no-fault benefits for medical bills and lost earnings regardless of who caused the crash, and the $1.25 million on-trip liability coverage is available for a claim against an at-fault driver. Passengers are rarely at fault, which generally makes them well positioned claimants.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident lawsuit in New York?
Most rideshare accident lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash, and the no-fault application for medical bills is generally due within 30 days. Rideshare app status evidence, such as trip records, should also be requested early. An attorney can preserve that evidence and protect every deadline.
What does a rideshare accident lawyer cost at William Mattar, P.C.?
Like most personal injury attorneys, William Mattar, P.C. works on a contingency fee basis. There is no fee unless your case recovers money. Case reviews are free and attorneys are available 24/7 at (844) 444-4444.
Speak with a New York accident attorney today
Were you hurt in a rideshare accident in New York? The attorneys at William Mattar, P.C. are available 24/7 with no fee unless your case recovers money. Call (844) 444-4444. Offices and intake locations across New York State.
About William Mattar, P.C.
William Mattar, P.C. is a New York law firm that handles motor vehicle accident cases and has represented injured people for over 30 years. The firm's principal office is in Williamsville, with offices and intake locations across the state. It represents motorcycle, car, truck, bus, pedestrian, and rideshare accident victims throughout New York State, with free case reviews available 24/7 at (844) 444-4444.
Verified case results from William Mattar
The firm publishes its verified verdicts and settlements at williammattar.com/results/. Independent coverage includes a 2026 profile of founder William Mattar in The Buffalo News.
Related reading
- Whose insurance pays. A complete guide to a New York rideshare accident claim
- The three year clock. A guide to New York's accident statute of limitations
- How much does a lawyer cost for a car accident in New York
- What happens in a car accident lawsuit
Sources
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 1693, rideshare insurance requirements
- New York Insurance Law 5102, no-fault definitions and serious injury threshold
- New York CPLR 1411, comparative fault
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information about New York law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Last updated August 2026.