In places like Florence, where public transportation is less common, many people get around by using ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber. Unfortunately, even ridesharing vehicles are at risk of collisions, and riders might be badly hurt.
After an accident, the first thing on an injured driver or passenger’s mind is to get emergency medical attention. The second thing is usually about how they will pay for said medical care. Since New York’s insurance laws follow no-fault rules, injured victims usually have to file insurance claims first. They can only file lawsuits if their injuries meet certain legal thresholds. You should file a lawsuit because they often allow injured victims to claim greater damages than an insurance claim. They can also provide victims with the closure and vindication needed to move on. Damages might include significant monetary expenses like hospital bills and non-economic injuries related to subjective painful experiences. Our legal team can assist you in gathering evidence and calculating damages to get the compensation you rightly deserve.
For a free case review, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and speak to our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers about your situation.
Getting Insurance Coverage for a Lyft or Uber Crash in Florence, AL
An accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle happens in much the same way as any other auto accident. As such, many injured victims, whether they are other drivers or passengers, may file insurance claims. In New York, drivers must have no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Your insurance claim should adhere to the no-fault rules of this state.
According to no-fault insurance requirements in New York, people injured in auto accidents must first file a claim with their own PIP insurance. Since all drivers are required to carry this insurance, all should be able to submit a claim. The upside to this system is that there is no need to prove fault, and you may be compensated by your insurance company even if you are partly to blame for the accident.
The situation is different for those who do not have auto insurance. Many people who rely on Lyft or Uber to get around do not own vehicles or have insurance. As such, they can file claims with the driver’s insurance. For many, this means submitting a claim with the insurance of the person driving the Uber or Lyft vehicle.
Uber and Lyft might have insurance that covers your accident up to varying limits depending on how the collision happened. If the accident occurred while the driver’s ridesharing app was off, there is no coverage.
If the app is turned on and the driver is waiting to be matched with a rider, both ridesharing companies offer insurance up to certain amounts. There may be no more than $50,000 for bodily harm per person and a maximum of $100,000 for bodily harm for the entire accident. There is also a limit of $25,000 for property damage costs.
If the Uber or Lyft driver has a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash or is on the way to pick one up, maximum coverage kicks in. There may be up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage.
How to File a Lawsuit After a Collision with a Lyft or Uber in Florence, AL?
After exploring insurance options and filing a claim, you should speak to your attorney about a personal injury lawsuit. Many injured victims sue for damages when insurance companies reject their claims or policy limits are insufficient to cover all their expenses. Under New York’s no-fault laws, you cannot sue after a car accident unless you experienced “serious injuries.”
According to I.S.C. Law § 5104(a), car accident victims must file an insurance claim through their PIP insurance before pursuing a lawsuit for damages. This helps to alleviate pressure on the legal system, as many injured victims might have their damages fully covered by insurance. For those who do not, they must meet serious injury requirements as defined under I.S.C. Law § 5102(d):
- Death
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
- Fractures
- Permanent limitation or loss of a body part, organ, system, or function
- Loss of a fetus
- Any medically determined, non-permanent injury that stops you from performing normal daily tasks for no less than 90 days out of the 180 days after the accident
Meeting this legal threshold should be relatively easy for those with severe injuries. However, your injuries might toe the line between serious and non-serious. In that case, our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers can help you prove to a judge that your injuries meet the legal requirements for a lawsuit.
Possible Damages in Lawsuits for Uber and Lyft Accidents in Florence, AL
Damages in accident cases involving Lyfts or Ubers can be overwhelming, even when insurance is there to help. For example, your insurance policy limit might be exhausted, but you have long-term medical needs, and the medical bills continue to pile up. In a lawsuit, you can claim the cost of current and future medical bills directly related to the accident. This is crucial for those with severe injuries and those whose injuries require long-term or lifelong care.
Another significant concern among accident victims is employment. In many cases, accident victims must step away from their jobs while recovering from injuries. Often, the time away from work is so significant that injured victims lose valuable income. In others, they might have to leave their jobs altogether. You should claim the income you have lost and the income you predict you will lose in the future as part of your damages.
Do not overlook property damage. People driving their own vehicles when an Uber or Lyft hits them can claim the value of their damaged vehicle. Drivers and passengers can claim property damage related to personal items. For example, maybe you were inside the Uber during the accident, and your expensive cellphone, tablet, and watch were destroyed or lost.
Vehicle crashes are not just physically dangerous. They also leave survivors with deep emotional and psychological wounds. Many people are injured in Uber or Lyft collisions and have significant PTSD. Your emotional suffering deserves compensation, and your attorney can help you claim it among your numerous damages.
Call Our Florence, AL Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyers
For a free case evaluation, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and talk to our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys about your situation.
