Queens Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer

Our Queens Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, can help if you or a loved one got hurt by a negligent Uber or Lyft driver. Over the years, we have developed the necessary skills to hold the liable parties accountable for your injuries. We will leave no stone left unturned while looking for all of the evidence required to prove your case.

Going through an Uber or Lyft accident can be traumatic. We are aware of all of the challenges that accompany a severe crash. While no compensation can undo or make what happened go away, it can help you take a step towards recovery. Let our experience, skill, and dedication work for you during this challenging time. Call our law offices today for your free, confidential consultation. Our phone number is (718) 843-0300.

Common Causes of Uber + Lyft Accidents in Queens, NY

Ridesharing services have been one of the most used means of transportations for Queens residents and people around the world. One of their main selling points is its ease of use and its effectiveness. However, ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are also risky. Over the years, there have been numerous reports of accidents caused by negligent Uber and Lyft drivers. Common causes of behaviors that often cause Uber and Lyft accidents in Queens include:

Speeding

Speeding is one of the most dangerous and primary causes of vehicular accidents across the US. Every year, thousands of people are injured or lose their lives in severe speeding-related collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 9,378 people died in accidents caused by speeding in 2018. Furthermore, the NHTSA has reported that speeding has been involved in more than one-third of all fatal crashes during the last two decades. Often, Uber and Lyft drivers conduct their vehicles over legally-established limits to pick up as many clients as they can. Unfortunately, this has led to crashes, injuries, and wrongful death.

Distracted Driving

Distractions on the road are also another common cause of Uber and Lyft accidents in Queens, NY. Uber drivers are often distracted by their smartphones. Not only do they have to be aware of potential clients, but they also usually pick up their phones or send messages while driving. These distractions can lead to severe crashes with nearby drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians. We can help if you were hurt in an accident caused by a negligent Uber or Lyft driver.

Driving Under the Influence

There have been cases where drivers of Uber and Lyft drivers have operated their vehicles while under the effect of alcohol. New York has stringent laws prohibiting ingesting alcohol while driving or driving while under its effects. However, many drivers disregard the law, which, unfortunately, can lead to devastating, life-altering accidents. We can help you if a negligent, drunk Uber or Lyft driver caused your injuries.

Injuries Causes by Uber + Lyft Accidents in Queens

Unfortunately, innocent Uber and Lyft passengers often have to pay the price for their drivers’ negligent actions. Often, ride-hailing service passengers have to face severe, sometimes life-altering lesions. Common injuries in Uber and Lyft accidents in Queens include:

Head Injuries

Head injuries are common in car accidents. Depending on the extent and severity of the injury, a person can suffer from or develop a life-threatening condition, which may require continuing medical assistance. For instance, there have been numerous cases where car accident injury victims have suffered from traumatic brain injuries. Many of these victims have been forced to endure debilitating symptoms, such as loss of memory, behavioral changes, and intense headaches. Sadly, many of these symptoms can persist for years. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one suffered a severe head injury in an Uber or Lyft accident in Queens.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are also common in many car accidents. These injuries not only can be painful, but they can also cause severe damage. During a car accident, the force and momentum on impact can exert pressure in the back area, affecting the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury can lead to severe conditions, including paralysis, quadriplegia, and tetraplegia. These conditions may require continuing medical attention and surgery. You may be able to get compensation for your losses through a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent Uber or Lyft driver.

Broken Bone Injuries

Broken bone injuries are not only painful, but they are also dangerous. Broken bones can pierce through the skin, lacerate internal organs, and cause bleeding. Depending on the extent of your injury and broken bones, you can suffer from intense pain and severe damage. Our Queens Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you hold the liable parties accountable for your losses.

Compensation for Uber + Lyft Accident Injury Victims in Queens

Both Uber and Lyft are required to carry insurance to provide coverage in the event of an accident. However, there are several caveats to consider. Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors. This means that these drivers are not direct employees of Uber or Lyft. This is why most of the time, these mega-corporations shake off liability for the negligence of their drivers. For this reason, you may not be able to sue Uber or Lyft directly after a car crash.

Uber and Lyft have a $1 million insurance policy providing coverage to injured victims in an Uber or Lyft crash. However, this policy kicks in depending on a specific circumstance. You will be protected under Uber or Lyft’s $1 million policy from the moment you step into one of their officially-identified vehicles until the moment you arrive at your destination. In other instances, you may need to go against the driver’s insurance company for compensation. Our Queens Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

FAQs About Queens Uber and Lyft Accidents

What do you need to know about Queens Uber and Lyft accidents? The following are frequently asked questions our lawyers receive, along with answers that can help you to understand your rights and options following a rideshare accident injury.

What Are Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Queens?

Uber and Lyft accidents can have a wide range of causes, including but not limited to:

• Uber or Lyft driver negligence, which may include distracted driving, aggressive driving, drowsy driving, or even intoxicated driving;
• Another motorist’s negligence;
• Hazardous road conditions, such as uncleared debris;
• Defective vehicle part; or
• Inclement weather.

How Much Insurance Coverage Does an Uber or Lyft Driver Carry?

The amount of insurance an Uber or Lyft driver carries will depend upon whether the driver was carrying a passenger or had accepted a ride at the time of the collision. When a rideshare driver is “on” and is actively accepting rides but has not accepted one, only a limited amount of liability insurance will apply. However, if you are in an Uber or Lyft at the time of the crash, or if you are injured by an Uber or Lyft driver who has accepted a ride request or is actively carrying a customer, then a $1 million insurance policy will apply.

When an Uber or Lyft driver is not actively waiting for ride requests (and is driving in a personal capacity), no Uber or Lyft insurance coverage will apply — only the driver’s personal insurance policy will be relevant.

What is Comparative Fault and How Can It Affect My Uber or Lyft Accident Case?

Comparative fault, or contributory negligence, refers to a set of legal rules that determine whether a plaintiff’s own fault can bar their recovery or reduce their recovery in a personal injury case. Different states use different comparative fault systems, with some states barring recovery as soon as a plaintiff is even 1 percent at fault (commonly known as “pure contributory fault” states), other states only bar a plaintiff’s recovery if the plaintiff is 50 percent or 51 percent at fault (often known as “modified comparative fault” states), and other states allow a plaintiff to recover damages even if the plaintiff is up to 99 percent at fault, but the plaintiff’s recovery will be reduced by the plaintiff’s portion of fault (known as “pure comparative fault” states).

New York is a pure comparative fault state, and the statute says that a plaintiff’s contributory negligence “shall not bar recovery, but the number of damages otherwise recoverable shall be diminished in the proportion which the culpable conduct attributable to the claimant . . . bears to the culpable conduct which caused the damages.” Accordingly, if you were partially at fault for an Uber or Lyft accident in which you were injured, your own negligence can reduce your recovery but will not bar it.

What is the Statute of Limitations for an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit?

Similar to other personal injury lawsuits, if you are eligible to file a lawsuit following an Uber or Lyft accident, New York law will likely require you to do so within three years from the date of the crash. Failure to file your lawsuit within that time window will result in a time-barred claim.

Queens Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer Offering Free Consultations

If you or a loved one was hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in Queens, NY, we can assist you. At the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP, we represent injured Uber and Lyft accident victims and help them fight for the compensation they deserve. We will fight tirelessly, aggressively, and strategically to get the compensation you rightfully deserve. To learn more about all of our services in a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (718) 843-0300.