Whether you were in the passenger seat of an Uber or Lyft or were hit by one, you may be entitled to compensation if you were injured in a rideshare accident. However, insurance coverage for rideshares is different from typical auto policies and highly dependent on the circumstances of the accident. It’s important to understand the nuances in these policies to recover the maximum possible compensation.
Insurance Coverage Available to Rideshare Accident Victims in New York State
Uber and Lyft must carry insurance policies with three different levels of coverage depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
- If the driver is not logged into the app, they are covered by their own personal auto insurance based on state mandatory minimums.
- If the driver was logged on but not engaged in a prearranged trip, their insurance covers injury costs up to $75,000 per person and a total of $150,000 per accident, as well as up to $25,000 for property damage.
- If the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger or actively transporting one, they will cover up to $1.25 million in personal injury and property damage costs, as well as the cost of repairing the driver’s car if they maintain personal collision coverage.
Note that rideshare insurance requirements are different in New York City than in the rest of the state. If you’re anxious about whether you’ll be able to recover compensation for injuries sustained in a rideshare accident, our attorneys can help you understand your options.
In most cases, you will first seek compensation through no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which covers policyholders, their passengers, and members of their households. You can turn to auto liability coverage once PIP is exhausted.
How Comparative Negligence Can Affect Rideshare Accident Claims
The New York comparative negligence law allows injury victims to recover damages even when they’re partially at fault for an accident. If you share blame for your injuries, your award will be reduced proportionately to your degree of responsibility.
If you contributed to an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft or did not follow traffic laws while hit as a pedestrian, you could be held partially at fault for your injuries. Our knowledgeable attorneys can help maximize your compensation by pushing back against wrongful allegations of fault in a rideshare accident claim.
Why Is Insurance Coverage for Rideshares Different Than Typical Cars?
Insurance coverage for rideshare vehicles differs from typical personal auto insurance because rideshare drivers use their vehicles for commercial purposes, transporting passengers for a fee. This creates unique liability risks that standard personal auto policies do not cover.
For example, personal auto insurance policies typically exclude coverage when the vehicle is used for commercial purposes, such as driving for Uber or Lyft. Therefore, rideshare companies must provide additional coverage when drivers are actively working.
Insurance Companies May Play Tricks After a Rideshare Accident, Let Richmond Vona Help You
If you are not sure what to do after a car accident, you are not alone. Rideshare accidents are particularly confusing and overwhelming. With decades of combined experience and over $175 million recovered in case results for our clients, our team has the skill, knowledge, and dedication to navigate your rideshare accident claim and secure the maximum possible compensation.
When the unexpected happens, expect Richmond Vona. Contact us online or call (716) 500-5678 today for a free consultation.
