Dealing with car accident injuries can be costly, both physically and financially. You may be aware that accident injury victims can sue the other driver if their negligent or reckless driving was the cause of the accident. However, you may be curious to know about situations involving Uber and Lyft drivers.
Practically, car accident injury lawsuits against Uber and Lyft drivers work the same as any other car accident lawsuit. You can file a lawsuit if you were driving another vehicle or were involved as a pedestrian or a bicyclist, but you could also have a case if you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle. While you may not be able to sue the rideshare company itself, Uber and Lyft supplement ordinary driver insurance with their own additional policies, so the driver will have enough coverage to handle your damages when you succeed in your case. Your lawsuit could earn you damages based on your medical costs, missed time at work, and pain and suffering.
The Martello Law Firm believes that every car accident injury victim deserves to know the facts about all of their legal options. If you were injured and believe that a rideshare driver was at fault, it is your right to file a lawsuit to recover damages. Our Westchester Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can help. Call our offices at (646) 396-0236 today to schedule your first appointment.
Parties Who Can Sue for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Westchester, New York
If you were involved in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver and sustained injury, you may be able to recover compensation to help you rehabilitate in comfort. We can represent you in your Westchester lawsuit if you fall into any of the following categories.
Uber and Lyft Passengers
If you are riding in a rideshare-operated vehicle and that car is involved in an accident, you may be able to recover compensation in a lawsuit against the driver. Your case will require you to show that the driver of the vehicle behaved negligently or recklessly behind the wheel and therefore caused the accident that led to your injuries.
Driver or Passenger Hit by Uber and Lyft
Similar to the above example, your case will rest on whether you can show that the Uber or Lyft driver’s negligent conduct was the cause of the accident and your injuries. The process for making a claim for your injuries is slightly different in this case, as is the insurance available. Your Westchester Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can walk you through the finer points of your potential case.
Bicyclist or Pedestrian Hit by Uber and Lyft
Your rights as a potential personal injury plaintiff in Westchester do not change if you were not in a vehicle at the time of the accident. You can still file a lawsuit against the Uber or Lyft driver that negligently or recklessly caused your injuries.
Determining Whom to Sue for Uber and Lyft Accident Injuries in Westchester
The reality is that, in most cases, you cannot directly sue the rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft for the injuries from a car accident. These companies have strong liability shields that make recovering damages from them an uphill battle. Additionally, under current New York law, rideshare drivers are technically independent contractors rather than employees of the company.
However, both companies supply their drivers with supplemental insurance that activates in situations where they are waiting for a new fare, currently transporting a fare, or on their way to pick up a new one. This applies on top of the insurance policy that all drivers, including drivers working for Uber or Lyft, are required by law to obtain. Therefore, your best bet is to sue the Uber or Lyft driver and target their insurance policies. The combination of the driver’s regular insurance and the supplemental insurance from the rideshare company will likely provide all of the coverage that you will need for your injuries, and the Westchester Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at The Martello Law Firm can help you get it.
Damages for Uber and Lyft Accident Lawsuits in Westchester, NY
The goal of a car accident injury lawsuit is to recover damages. “Damages” is the term that is used to refer to the monetary compensation you can recover in court for the consequences of your injuries.
These consequences include the medical expenses associated with diagnosing and treating your injuries. You may be forced to undergo emergency procedures or surgeries. If your condition affects your ability to function, you may have to go through rehabilitative physical therapy or make modifications to your home. You can claim compensation for all of these as well as the many other aspects of your recovery, such as prescription medication and even hospital parking fees.
You could also name lost wages in the calculation of your damages. Missing time at work is a common factor in damages when the victim’s injury requires recovery time. If the injuries require long-term rehabilitation, you may also gain from claiming a decrease in earning potential. Your lawyers can introduce financial expert testimony to attest to what you lost out on due to the accident.
You may also be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering you experience after the accident. Your injuries may leave you in chronic pain or cause psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. These consequences may affect your enjoyment of life or your close personal relationships. You can seek compensation in this area as well.
The best way to get a better idea of what your case may be worth is to speak with one of our esteemed Westchester Uber and Lyft accident attorneys today for free.
Interested in Pursuing an Accident Claim Against an Uber or Lyft Driver? Call our Westchester Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Today
No matter how severe your injuries may be, you should never go through the recovery process without the skilled assistance of our Westchester Uber and Lyft accident lawyers. Call The Martello Law Firm today at (646) 396-0236.
