If you’ve been in a rideshare accident in Herkimer, New York, the rideshare accident lawyers at the Stanley Law Offices are here to help. In the aftermath of an automobile accident, victims and their families may be entitled to seek compensation from negligent parties to cover their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Yet, the process of making a claim after a rideshare accident can sometimes be more complicated due to complexities in how rideshare drivers are insured. The rideshare accident lawyers in Herkimer, New York at the Stanley Law Offices are here to help you and your family navigate the bureaucracy. In the aftermath of an accident, victims and their families should be able to focus on healing, not on navigating the intricacies of rideshare insurance claims. Let the rideshare lawyers in Herkimer, New York at the Stanley Law Offices handle the details so that you can get justice and move on.
Rideshare Insurance Claims
After a typical New York automobile accident, both drivers will often let their auto insurance company know that they were involved in an accident, and regardless of who was at fault, each driver’s insurance company will pay for medical bills and other covered expenses. Rideshare insurance claims can be more complicated. If you were involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, the driver will have to determine whether their personal auto insurance is liable for the accident, the rideshare company insurance is liable, or whether other contingent policies may apply. It can sometimes be difficult to know which policy is in effect, and even whether the policies are valid, because rideshare insurance only applies in specific circumstances and personal insurance policies will sometimes be considered invalid if the driver is discovered to be using their vehicle for commercial purposes, like for a rideshare. In general, the rideshare company’s insurance would apply if the driver had a passenger in their vehicle, and their personal insurance would apply when the driver is using their vehicle for personal purposes.
One gray area that has caused problems in the past has been when a rideshare driver has their application on looking for rides. Some rideshare commercial policies will cover a rideshare driver only if they get into an accident while driving to pick up a rider who has ordered a car but will not cover a driver who merely has the application turned on ready to accept rides. Yet, every commercial policy differs from company to company, and this is where a rideshare accident lawyer can read the fine print and help you understand which policy might be in effect.
For example, when a driver has the app turned on, but hasn’t accepted a ride, the coverage provided by Lyft and Uber’s commercial policy will be limited. Uber and Lyft’s commercial insurance increases after a driver has made a match and is driving to pick up a rider, and sometimes drivers might have even higher limits when a rider is actively in the vehicle taking a ride.
If you were a passenger of a rideshare and were hurt while taking a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, you would likely be covered under the company’s commercial policy.
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, determining coverage may not be as straightforward as it can sometimes be in a typical automobile accident. Commercial insurance policies, contingent policies, and personal insurance policies can sometimes “diffuse the blame,” claiming that the other policy would be responsible for payment. In cases like this, it can be helpful to have a rideshare accident lawyer in Herkimer, New York at the Stanley Law Offices on your side.
Rideshare Accidents Often Involve Multiple Stakeholders
Rideshare accidents are commercial vehicle accidents, and they often involve multiple stakeholders as a result. You’re not just dealing with both drivers involved in the accident, and their insurance companies, but also potentially the liability of the rideshare company, commercial insurance policies, contingent insurance policies, and independent contractors. With all these moving parts, it’s easy to see how a rideshare accident can become complicated. The rideshare injury lawyers in Herkimer, New York at the Stanley Law Offices are here to help. We understand the complex nature of these claims and fight for victims’ rights. If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident, you may only have a limited time to make a claim under the law. Reach out to the Herkimer, New York rideshare injury lawyers at the Stanley Law Offices today.
And if you are an Uber or Lyft independent contractor, you are a vulnerable worker. These companies make billions of dollars a year in profit and ultimately want to protect their bottom lines. The people who suffer the greatest consequences after a rideshare accident are often the independent contractors driving for these companies. The Herkimer, New York rideshare accident lawyers at the Stanely Law Offices are here to protect you.
What to Do After an Uber Accident in Herkimer, New York
Uber offers guidance for drivers, riders, and third parties involved in Uber accidents on its website. Drivers are encouraged to report the accident to Uber so that Uber can open the claims process. Riders are encouraged to report the accident in the application as well, and so are third parties. If you’ve been hurt in an Uber accident, you might also want to consider reaching out to an Uber accident lawyer in Herkimer, New York at the Stanley Law Offices. Uber’s profits in 2024 alone were nearly $10 billion dollars. When you contact Uber to report an accident, it’s important to remember that you are dealing with a large company whose interests are to protect its bottom line. Before you make any statements to Uber, you might want to speak to an Uber accident lawyer in Herkimer, New York at the Stanley Law Offices to help you navigate the claims process.
What to Do After a Lyft Accident in Herkimer, New York
Lyft offers guidance on what can be done after a Lyft accident. First, it reminds drivers, riders, and other parties involved to call 911 and report the crash. It also offers a tool where a person can make an auto accident report online. Lyft has complicated rules about when its commercial insurance coverage will apply. Coverage can differ when the application is turned off, when the app is on and waiting for a ride request, when the app is on and a driver is going to pick up a passenger, and when a driver has a passenger in the vehicle. Again, it’s important to remember that Lyft is a big company with an interest in protecting its bottom line. When dealing with making accident reports or when speaking to Lyft commercial insurance adjusters, it can be helpful to have your own Lyft accident lawyer on your side. The Lyft accident lawyers in Herkimer, New York at the Stanley Law Offices can review your case, help you communicate with Lyft insurance adjusters, and more. Before you make a statement to Lyft or to Lyft insurance adjusters, you might want to speak to a Lyft accident lawyer in Herkimer New York, at the Stanley Law Offices.
Who is At Fault After a Rideshare Accident in Herkimer, New York?
It can sometimes be difficult to determine who is liable or at fault after a Herkimer, New York rideshare accident. After a rideshare accident, multiple parties can potentially be liable for the accident. These parties include the rideshare driver, another driver involved in the accident, the rideshare company itself, and the rideshare company’s commercial insurance policy. Navigating this complex web of liability isn’t always easy, especially if you’re also dealing with unexpected injuries, medical bills, and disability. The Herkimer, New York rideshare injury lawyers at the Stanley Law Offices can investigate your accident and help you take the next steps.
Contact the Herkimer, New York Rideshare Accident Lawyers at the Stanley Law Offices Today
If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident, time is of the essence. You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of an accident on your own. The Stanley Law Offices offer clients a free initial consultation during which we can review your case and help you understand the next steps. If you want to learn more about your rights after a rideshare injury or rideshare accident, reach out to the rideshare accident lawyers at the Stanley Law Offices at 1-800-608-3333. Contact us today.
