Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Melville
A trip through Melville in an Uber or Lyft can end with questions that are harder to answer than they would be after an ordinary car crash. A Melville rideshare accident lawyer from The Harrison Law Group can find out whose insurance applies, investigate who caused the collision, and pursue the damages available to you.
Our attorneys have more than 30 years of experience and have recovered over $450 million for clients in New York. Our Melville personal injury lawyers give each client personal attention and direct access to the attorneys handling their case.
We represent injured passengers, rideshare drivers, people in other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. There is no fee unless we recover money on your behalf. Call The Harrison Law Group to discuss your rideshare accident and your legal options.
Our Rideshare Crash Attorneys in Melville Will Handle the Details of Your Claim
A rideshare claim may involve the driver’s personal auto insurance, coverage connected to Uber or Lyft, insurance carried by another driver, or your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. The Harrison Law Group will sort through those issues so that you know where your claim stands.
Our legal team will investigate the collision, obtain relevant records, speak with insurance companies, document your losses, and determine which policy or policies may cover your injuries. We will also obtain rideshare records that help establish whether the rideshare driver was logged into the app and whether a ride had been accepted.
We challenge insurers when they dispute a valid claim or try to limit what they pay. You will also have direct access to your attorney throughout the case rather than being treated as another file.
Who Can Bring a Claim After a Rideshare Accident in Melville?
Rideshare crashes do not affect passengers alone. Anyone hurt because of another person’s negligence may have grounds to seek damages.
Our Melville rideshare crash lawyers handle claims involving:
- Passengers hurt while riding in an Uber or Lyft
- Rideshare drivers hit by negligent motorists
- Drivers and passengers in other vehicles
- Pedestrians struck by rideshare vehicles
- Bicyclists and motorcyclists hit by rideshare drivers
- Families who lose a loved one in a fatal collision
The right to recover depends on what caused the crash and each person’s role in it. The Harrison Law Group will investigate those facts before deciding which people, companies, and insurance policies should be part of the claim.
How Insurance Works in a New York Rideshare Accident
Insurance is one of the biggest issues in a rideshare case. The coverage available often depends on what the rideshare driver was doing when the collision happened. Different coverage may apply based on whether the driver was using the app or had accepted a ride.
New York requires insurance when a driver is logged into the app. Once the driver accepts a ride request, at least $1.25 million in liability coverage must apply during the trip.
The coverage generally works like this:
- App off: The driver’s personal auto insurance generally applies if an accident happens.
- App on and waiting for a ride: Limited liability rideshare insurance requirements apply.
- Ride accepted or passenger on board: Higher rideshare company coverage applies.
This makes the driver’s app status an important part of the claim. The Harrison Law Group can obtain trip records, determine which coverage was in place, and review the available insurance policies.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Melville Rideshare Crash?
Finding the liable party starts with finding out why the collision happened. A rideshare driver may cause an accident by speeding, looking at the app instead of the road, following too closely, making an unsafe turn, or failing to yield.
Another motorist could be responsible instead, and some crashes involve fault by more than one driver. Rideshare drivers are typically independent contractors rather than employees, which can affect whether Uber or Lyft may be held responsible for a driver’s actions.
Your Melville rideshare injury attorney will review various types of evidence as they work to determine liability. This includes police reports, photographs, video, witness accounts, vehicle damage, medical records, and rideshare data. We will also identify the available insurance coverage and respond when an insurer disputes fault or the value of the claim.
What Damages Can You Seek After a Rideshare Crash?
After a rideshare accident, you may have medical bills, miss time for work, or need care that continues long after the crash. A personal injury claim may allow you to seek damages for these losses.
Depending on your injuries, your claim may include medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, and long–term care. You may also seek damages for permanent injuries or limitations that affect your daily life.
Seeking Damages After a Fatal Rideshare Crash
If you lost a loved one in a rideshare crash, we are deeply sorry for your loss. During this difficult time, the personal representative of your loved one’s estate may bring a wrongful death lawsuit.
Damages may include funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and the value of certain services and support your loved one would have provided, among other losses.
New York’s Deadlines for Melville Rideshare Accident Lawsuits
New York generally gives an injured person three years to file a personal injury lawsuit under NY CPLR § 214(5). A wrongful death action generally must be filed within two years after the person’s death under EPTL § 5-4.1.
Other deadlines can apply in certain cases, especially when a government entity is involved. Waiting can also make it harder to obtain video, witness information, rideshare records, and other evidence.
We encourage you to contact The Harrison Law Group as soon as possible. Our attorneys will work to determine which deadlines apply and take the legal steps needed to protect you.
Get Help From a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Melville
Insurance questions can make an Uber or Lyft accident harder to sort out than it first appears. The Harrison Law Group will determine which insurance policies apply based on the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash and pursue coverage from the appropriate insurer.
Our firm focuses on personal injury law, and we have served thousands of clients. You will know the attorney handling your case and have a team that understands the local courts and community. Our Spanish-speaking team members are also available to assist clients.
If you are unhappy with the lawyer handling your rideshare claim, you can contact us to discuss whether we can take over the case at no additional cost to you. There is no fee unless we recover money on your behalf. Call The Harrison Law Group to discuss what happened and learn what legal options may be available.