New York City
Uber, Lyft, and Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Apps like Uber and Lyft have transformed the way people move throughout the five boroughs, offering a ride with just a quick tap on a smartphone. Whether you are catching a lift to a Broadway show, heading home from a dinner in Astoria, or traveling to a meeting near Wall Street, these services are now a standard part of the city experience. Even with their popularity, accidents involving these vehicles are a frequent reality on our crowded streets, often leaving passengers and other drivers feeling uncertain about how to proceed.

If you have been hurt in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, you should not have to handle the fallout by yourself. At The Silbowitz Firm, we understand the specific difficulties you are facing and are prepared to stand by you during every part of the legal process. Our dedicated New York City rideshare accident lawyers focus on holding the liable parties responsible and working to secure the payment you need to move forward.

Reach out to us today at (646) 419-5344 for a free consultation to discuss your situation.

Why Choose The Silbowitz Firm for Your New York City Rideshare Claim?

At our firm, representing injury victims is our sole focus. Mitchell Silbowitz has been fighting for the rights of those hurt by negligence since 1989, and he has successfully helped clients win more than 1,000 cases in New York City and the surrounding counties. There are several reasons why you can rely on our team for your Uber or Lyft accident claim:

Deep Legal Experience: We have spent decades concentrating on personal injury law, which allows us to stay current on the shifting regulations that govern the rideshare industry in New York.

A History of Success: Since starting his career, Mitchell Silbowitz has secured significant recoveries for people hurt in car accidents, construction site falls, and other serious events. We know how to prepare a strong case that can stand up against large insurance corporations.

Authentic Support: We recognize the physical suffering, emotional weight, and money troubles that often follow a vehicle wreck. By treating our clients with real respect and care, we aim to lift the burden from your shoulders so you can put your energy into getting healthy.

Knowledge of the City: Experiencing the chaotic traffic patterns of New York City requires a legal team that truly understands the local landscape. Whether your accident happened on the FDR Drive or a quiet side street in Queens, we have the local background to manage your case effectively.

When you work with The Silbowitz Firm, you are gaining a partner who will prioritize your health and fight for the justice you are owed under the law.

Who is Eligible to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in New York City?

Accidents involving Uber or Lyft are different from standard car crashes, and figuring out who has the right to file a claim can be a bit tricky. You may be able to seek payment if you fall into one of these groups:

• Passengers in the Rideshare Vehicle: If you were riding in an Uber or Lyft when a collision occurred, you likely have a path to seek recovery through the company’s high-limit insurance or the policy of another driver, depending on who caused the wreck.
• Other Motorists or Passengers: If you were in a separate car that was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver and their carelessness led to the crash, you may have a valid claim against them.
• People Walking or Biking: Not every rideshare accident involves two cars. If you were a pedestrian or a cyclist struck by a rideshare driver, you have the right to pursue payment for your harm.

Every situation has its own set of facts, and who is at fault often depends on whether the driver was currently working and the specific insurance rules in place at that moment. Talking to an experienced New York City rideshare accident attorney can help you see your path forward clearly.

Insurance Coverage Following an Uber or Lyft Accident

Rideshare crashes add a lot of complexity to a situation because the insurance depends on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the impact. Unlike traditional taxi drivers, Uber and Lyft operators are often viewed as independent contractors, and the coverage shifts based on their app status:

The App is Switched Off

If the driver was not logged into the rideshare platform when the crash happened, they are considered a private motorist. In this case, only their personal car insurance policy applies. The rideshare companies do not provide any coverage here, so your claim would go against the driver’s own insurance or your own policy.

Logged In and Waiting for a Request

When a driver is active on the app but has not yet taken a specific job, a mix of policies might be involved. Both Uber and Lyft provide a level of contingent liability coverage if the driver’s personal insurance does not cover the event. This usually includes:

• $50,000 for bodily injury per person
• $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

Going through these different layers of insurance can be a headache, but a lawyer can help make sure you are looking at every available source of money.

During a Trip or Heading to a Pickup

The highest level of coverage kicks in once a driver accepts a ride request or has a passenger in the car. At this stage, the rideshare companies provide significant commercial liability insurance, which often reaches:

• $1 million in total liability coverage
• Protection against uninsured or underinsured drivers
• Coverage for the vehicle itself in certain cases

While a million-dollar policy sounds like a lot, the companies and their insurers often work hard to keep their payouts as low as possible. Having a legal advocate ensures that you are treated fairly and that you receive the full amount allowed by New York law.

Should You Accept the First Settlement Offer from an Insurer?

If you are hurting after a crash and an insurance company offers you money right away, it might be very tempting to sign the papers. You likely have hospital bills piling up and might be missing time at work. However, taking that first offer is almost never the best choice for your future.

Insurance companies are businesses that want to keep their profits high, and their first offer is usually the lowest amount they think you might accept. They use several common tactics to minimize what they pay you:

• Claiming your injuries are minor: An adjuster might try to say your pain isn’t that bad or that you had the problem before the accident happened.
• Hurrying the process: They often try to get you to settle before you even know if you will need surgery or long-term physical therapy in the future.
• Blaming you: The company might try to argue that you caused the accident to avoid paying the full claim.
• Using complex language: Because rideshare insurance has so many layers, insurers might use that confusion to avoid paying what they should.

By speaking with a lawyer before you sign anything, you can make sure the settlement actually covers the true cost of your injuries. We will check every detail of your case and talk to the insurance company for you to ensure a fair result.

Compensation You Can Recover for a Rideshare Crash

If you were hurt in a wreck involving an Uber or Lyft, you may be allowed to seek money for the physical, emotional, and financial hardships you have experienced. Depending on the details, you might be able to recover:

• Medical Costs: This covers the bills you have now and the ones you will have later for hospital stays, doctor visits, medicine, and therapy.
• Lost Pay: If your injuries kept you from going to work, you can ask for the money you would have earned. If you can’t do the same job anymore, you might also get money for your reduced ability to earn in the future.
• Pain and Suffering: This is meant to compensate you for the actual physical pain and the mental distress caused by the accident.
• Property Damage: This pays for the repair or replacement of your car or other items that were broken in the crash.
• Loss of Support: If the injury has deeply changed your relationship with your family or spouse, you may be able to seek payment for that loss.

Every person’s situation is unique, and the money you can get depends on how bad the crash was and how it changed your life. An experienced attorney can look at your claim and find every area where you are owed money.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have been in an accident, you probably have many questions about what comes next:

What does it cost to hire an attorney for a rideshare case?

At The Silbowitz Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs or fees you have to pay out of your own pocket. We only get a fee if we are successful in getting money for you. This ensures everyone can get high-quality legal help regardless of their bank account.

What if I was partly responsible for the wreck?

Even if you played a small role in the accident, you can still get money under the comparative negligence rules in New York. The total amount you get will just be lowered by the percentage that was your fault. For instance, if you were 10% at fault, you can still get 90% of the total award. A lawyer works to keep your percentage of fault as low as possible.

How much time do I have to file a claim in New York?

Generally, you have three years from the day of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York. However, because rideshare cases involve insurance companies with their own rules and potentially other factors, it is best to start the process as soon as you can. If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to get any money at all.

Can I file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt?

You can still file a claim even if you didn’t have your seatbelt on. While it might affect how much money you get if it’s proven that the lack of a seatbelt made your injuries worse, it does not stop you from seeking a recovery for the driver’s negligence.

Talk to Our New York City Rideshare Accident Attorney Today

If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you should not wait to take action. Call (646) 419-5344 to schedule a free consultation with our team. We handle all cases on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis. Our goal is to help you recover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by your accident.

Every rideshare accident is unique, but with the right legal representation, victims can pursue the compensation they need to recover and move forward. Let us put our experience and knowledge of New York City streets and insurance rules to work for you.