What can I do if I get into a rideshare accident in Manhattan?
New York City — Manhattan in particular — is inseparable from the image of urban canyons tightly packed with yellow taxis. In recent years, though, ridesharing — or ridehailing — apps like Uber and Lyft have changed the Big Apple’s transportation landscape, tripling the average daily trips of taxicabs. Laws surrounding these services are continually in flux, which means if you’ve been in a rideshare accident, you’ll need an experienced New York rideshare accident attorney.
In the state of New York, ridesharing is subject to laws that apply to an approved Transportation Network Company — a company licensed by the DMV to use a digital network to connect passengers with drivers for prearranged trips. In New York City, though, Uber and Lyft must operate under the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
Untangling state and local bureaucracy and statutes is difficult enough under normal circumstances, but if you suffer a car accident injury as a rideshare passenger, the pain and trauma can make that task even more daunting. That’s why Conexion Legal is here to provide you with free legal advice, and if needed, we can connect you to an expert New York rideshare accident attorney in our network. Simply call us at 1-800-201-1220, or write to us through WhatsApp to schedule your free consultation.
What makes rideshare accidents in New York City different than regular car accidents?
Throughout the rest of New York State, ridesharing companies are subject to laws that apply to a Transportation Network Company — one that is licensed by the DMV to use a digital network (a smartphone app) to connect passengers with drivers for prearranged trips. New York State’s TNC laws apply for the entire state except for New York City, where Uber and Lyft operate under the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
If you are involved in a normal car accident, you would file a claim against your own New York no-fault Personal Injury Protection insurance policy (which does not cover property damage, certain severe injuries or pain and suffering).
If there are costs that aren’t covered under your PIP, and the at-fault driver’s insurance will not settle for an amount that fully covers those expenses, you would need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages.
New York City rideshare drivers are required by the Taxi and Limousine Commission to carry the following insurance coverage while ferrying a passenger or passengers:
- $1.25 million liability coverage per accident
- $1.25 million supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per accident
- Contingent comprehensive and collision insurance
- $50,000 no-fault coverage
How to handle a rideshare accident in New York City as an injured passenger
After checking on the condition of anyone involved in the accident and calling 911, seek medical attention. Be sure to document everything, including costs of treatment, diagnoses and expenses incurred as a result of the accident. File a police report.
Next, inform the rideshare company. If your accident was in an Uber, open the app, click on “Trip and Fare Review,” and select “I was involved in an accident.” The company will review the information, and send you an incident report form. Lyft has a simple “Report an Accident” button.
The company will already have some of the more crucial information — the apps track your driver’s name, the car’s license plate and the location of the accident — but you still need to cover your bases and record the information yourself, including the driver’s contact and insurance information. You will likely need to file a claim under their insurance, as dealing with them will be quicker and easier than getting a rideshare company’s customer service representative on the phone.
If you are in the physical condition to do so, be sure to document the scene. The more information and photos you can gather, the better. Obtain witness information and ask about surveillance video from businesses nearby. All of this will help when you contact a personal injury attorney.
The primer you have read here is by no means comprehensive, but it gives you a sense for just how nuanced and complex rideshare accidents are when compared with normal car accidents. That is why contacting an experienced New York City rideshare accident attorney can help you immensely. To schedule your free legal consultation with Conexion Legal, call us at 1-800-201-1220, or write to us through WhatsApp. We can then connect you to New York attorneys in our network who specialize in your type of case.
El equipo de redactores de Conexion Legal está compuesto por un grupo de abogados especialistas en casos de accidentes de tránsito, laborales e inmigración para latinos. Cada miembro del equipo cuenta con amplia experiencia en su área de especialización, y todos ellos están comprometidos en ofrecer la mejor información y asesoramiento legal a la comunidad latina.
