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New York City Lyft Accident Lawyer

Rideshare services in NYC have given people a valuable choice in transportation options. However valuable, Lyft drivers are not professionally trained drivers–and accidents do happen. If you’re hurt, call Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers at (212) 514-5007 to get help recovering financial compensation for your injuries.

With over 40 years of experience, we have a proven track record of helping clients successfully recover fair verdicts and settlements. We are passionate about helping injured clients get what they deserve.

It’s easy to get started. All you have to do is contact our law firm to schedule a 100% free case review with our experienced NYC car accident lawyers. We represent clients across NYC and on nearby Long Island.

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Hiring an Experienced New York Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Make it Easier to Get Fair Compensation

Getting compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering after an accident isn’t easy. Hiring a personal injury lawyer in NYC can make things easier. When the insurance company sees that you are represented by an experienced attorney, they tend to change tactics.

In other words, our lawyers understand your legal rights–and we know the law inside and out. Insurance companies know our reputation. They know we don’t back down from a fight and that we’re always prepared to argue your case in court if necessary.

While you’re recovering from your injuries, we put in the work needed to develop a comprehensive insurance demand claim.

At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced NYC personal injury attorneys will:

Investigate to find out what caused the Lyft accident
Obtain data to determine the Lyft driver’s status at the time of the accident
Identify all available sources of insurance coverage
Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf
Work with NYC medical, financial and scientific experts to get a better idea of what your injuries will cost in the long run
Defend your rights if someone tries to pin the blame on you

Drivers for Lyft and other rideshare services, like Uber drivers, are subject to specific rules in NYC. Those laws tend to change over time, as new issues come into play. Our lawyers are proud to stay current to give you the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.

Who is Financially Responsible After a Lyft Accident?

New York contributory negligence laws let you recover compensation from anyone whose actions contributed to the cause of a motor vehicle accident. That may include:

The Lyft driver
A third-party driver who caused the accident
Pedestrians
Bicyclists
Bus drivers
NYC transit authorities
Government agencies responsible for road repair, traffic signals, etc.

The person who directly causes a crash is not always the person who will eventually pay compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident. Many factors–and multiple parties–may be financially responsible.

Importantly, Lyft itself maintains an insurance policy that may kick in to cover expenses after a Lyft accident.

Our New York personal injury lawyers are here to help you better understand your legal right to compensation after a Lyft accident. Call us today to get legal advice and discuss options.

How Do I Get Money After a NYC Lyft Accident?

Lyft drivers use their own personal vehicles to transport passengers. Like any other driver, ridesharing drivers have to purchase a car insurance policy in case of an accident.

Sometimes, Lyft drivers purchase typical personal car insurance coverage. That type of coverage usually excludes claims based on commercial activity–meaning driving for profit.

Lyft drivers are independent contractors. That means you can’t recover money from Lyft based on employment law theories. Because of this, New York and other states require Lyft to purchase insurance.

Whether Lyft’s insurance policy is available depends upon the driver’s status at the time of the accident. Coverage limits can also vary depending upon that status.

Lyft App is Turned Off

If the Lyft app is turned off, the driver is off duty. At this time, the driver is treated like any other driver on the roads. In other words, the driver’s personal car insurance will apply. The Lyft policy is unavailable.

Lyft App is On: Driver is Available to Accept Passengers

If the Lyft driver is actively available to accept passengers, a limited Lyft insurance policy is available after a crash. That policy provides the following coverage for accident victims:

$50,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
$100,000 in bodily injury coverage for the entire accident
$25,000 per accident in property damage coverage

These maximum dollar values apply in addition to any other insurance that might be available.

Lyft App is On: Driver has Accepted a Passenger

If the Lyft driver has accepted a passenger and is driving to pick them up, or is actually carrying a passenger, a much more generous insurance policy is available. The comprehensive Lyft insurance policy covers:

$1 million in third-party auto liability
Coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists
Collision coverage up to the actual value of the damaged vehicles (a $2,500 deductible applies)

This insurance coverage is considered to be “excess” to the driver’s own insurance coverage. In other words, if the Lyft driver (or someone else) is at-fault, the Lyft coverage only kicks in if the at-fault party’s insurance is insufficient to cover your damages.

Common Causes of Lyft Accidents

Driving in NYC can be a challenge on the best of days. Still, drivers have a legal obligation to do their best to prevent accidents.

Certain types of challenges tend to cause more accidents than others. We help clients with NYC Lyft accidents involving:

Distracted driving
Tailgating
Unsafe lane changes
Failure to yield the right of way
Traffic violations
Fatigued driving
Speeding and aggressive driving
Unfamiliarity with the NYC traffic patterns
Vehicle defects
Road defects

If you were injured as a passenger in a Lyft vehicle, you might not be familiar with New York insurance laws. In New York, all drivers have to carry car insurance. After an accident, each victim first looks to their own policy to get reimbursed for things like medical bills and property damage.

After that, if your injuries are serious, you can pursue a claim against the at-fault party. That’s why determining the cause of your Lyft accident can be so important.

What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Lyft Accident?

Accident victims deserve to be fairly compensated for all costs associated with their injuries. New York personal injury law aims to make accident victims whole again. At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, we know this is never fully possible. We fight to get you as close as possible.

Your claim for damages may include:

Medical expenses
Future medical treatment costs
Lost wages
Loss of your earning capacity
Physical therapy costs
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional distress
Damages for wrongful death

Our NYC personal injury lawyers work to get you the most compensation available. You can count on us to advocate fiercely on your behalf throughout the entire legal process.

Lyft Accidents Often Cause Serious Injuries

You might think that getting fair compensation after a Lyft accident must be easy. After all, they are required to have these generous insurance policies in place. In practice, getting the money you need can be even more difficult if Lyft or a ridesharing company is involved.

Lyft is a large corporation with teams of defense lawyers. Their commercial insurance providers are no different. They are hired to deny and/or reduce the value of injury claims.

It is our job to prove that your injuries are extensive enough to justify fair compensation. Unfortunately, many Lyft accident victims in New York City suffer extensive, lasting injuries.

Those injuries may include:

These types of injuries can heal with time–or they could create lifelong challenges for the accident victim. At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, our NYC car accident lawyers provide trusted advice to accident victims across NYC. Give us a call today to talk about your case.

New York Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations limits the time period you have to sue for compensation after an auto accident. The “limitations period” starts running immediately–on the date of your accident. Under New York law, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is three years.

That might seem like a long time. In reality, it could take months before the doctors have a good sense of how your injuries will heal–or if they will heal. It’s a good idea to speak with an accident lawyer right away, while memories of the accident are fresh and evidence is available.

Call an Experienced New York City Lyft Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation Today

Given the complexities of Lyft accident cases, it’s always best to speak with an experienced lawyer first. The insurance company might try to get you to sign documents or accept a settlement offer. Even if you want to accept, it’s smart to have a lawyer review the documents first.

At Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer a free case review for all potential clients. We will review the facts of your case and listen to your story. To learn more about how we can help protect your legal rights, call an experienced NYC Lyft accident lawyer for a free consultation today.